PM pledges large NHS cash boost
THERESA May has announced a massive cash injection for the NHS, with a long-term funding package for health and social care in Britain.
The Prime Minister’s move was hailed by NHS chief executive Simon Stevens as “significant and welcome”.
It came after a damning Commons public accounts committee report saying the NHS was “stuck in survival mode” and in a “perilous state”.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said a national insurance increase could boost the service by an extra £4billion a year.
And answering questions from the Commons’ most senior backbenchers on its liaison committee, Mrs May said the Government would come up with a “long-term plan” for NHS funding this year, ahead of the 2019 spending review.
She said: “I want that to be done in conjunction with leaders of the NHS, with clinicians and health experts, and the government will provide a multi-year funding settlement in support of the plan.
“We can’t afford to wait until next Easter. I think in this 70th anniversary year of the NHS’s foundation, we need an answer on this.”
Mr Stevens said last night: “A multi-year path for modern, efficient and sensibly-funded health and social care could mean huge gains for cancer patients, mental health services and support for frail older people, as well as the several million nurses, doctors and other care staff who look after us.”