Responding to the announcement of the Rt Hon MP as the
new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the deputy
chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:
“Trust leaders will welcome the rapid appointment of as the new
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. He now has number
of important tasks facing him.
“His immediate challenge is to steer the NHS as it navigates this
latest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic while providing the health
sector with the support it needs to clear the substantial backlog
of care. More than five million patients are now waiting for
treatment, demand for mental health and emergency services is
rising fast and we face a potentially difficult winter on the
horizon. These are significant tasks. This is all alongside
making plans to live with COVID-19 over the longer-term.
“Workforce pressures will also be top of the in-tray for the new
Secretary of State. We have asked so much of our staff during the
past year and they need rest and reward to tackle burnout, boost
morale and prepare for the challenges ahead. Not only must the
Secretary of State look at the pay deal being offered to those on
the frontline, but we would urge him to negotiate a fully funded
workforce plan to tackle the significantly high levels of
vacancies within the service and ensure a sustainable pipeline of
staff.
“The Secretary of State’s appointment also comes during a very
important year for the NHS. There is important legislation
waiting in the wings, heralding the biggest reforms to the health
service in over a decade. will also
need to ensure the needs of the NHS are represented ahead of the
upcoming comprehensive spending review where major decisions
about public spending will be made. This includes future funding
of the NHS, long-term investment in capital for heath and care
and critically, a decision on the future of social care”.
