Labour's strategy
Labour plans to clear NHS waiting lists within five years by utilizing spare capacity in the private sector. The party aims to pay for patients to attend upscale medical centers and create 40,000 extra appointments, scans, and operations every week by freeing up evenings and weekends.
Starmer's pledge
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to eliminate wait times of more than 18 weeks for treatment by 2029. This commitment comes in response to concerns raised about healthcare progress earlier this year by Rishi Sunak.
Personal mission
For Starmer, getting the NHS back on track is a personal mission. With his mother Josephine being a nurse and his wife Victoria working in the NHS, he emphasized the importance of timely and efficient healthcare services.
Labour's approach
Labour aims to work collaboratively with NHS staff to address the backlog of 7.5 million people currently waiting for routine procedures like knee or hip operations. The party plans to prioritize reducing waiting lists and reinstating family doctor services.
Response from Health Secretary
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins criticized Labour's proposal as "copy and paste" politics. She stressed the importance of a strong economy to support the NHS and highlighted the Conservatives' plan to enhance technological innovation for reducing waiting times.
Atkins pointed out the contrast between falling waiting lists in England under the Conservatives and rising waiting lists in Labour-governed Wales.
