Sunak: NHS patients are not getting the care they deserve

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Amid warnings from senior doctors that the NHS is under intolerable pressure, the Prime Minister said that “waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly”. It's not sustainable, it's going to collapse Dr Hilary Jones “The point on electives highlights the issue – that’s what we shouldn’t do… that’s what happened during Covid, we stopped doing elective surgery – the amount of elective activity in the NHS was down to about half of what it normally does, so the reason we have got a huge waiting list now is because we have got to catch up with that.” Mr Sunak added: “My priority is to do both and I think the plan we have got in place will deliver it.” Much of elective care activity in the NHS was paused during the pandemic – which is part of the reason the backlog of care has risen to record levels. “The PM’s speech today continues to woefully under-represent the appalling and insufferable conditions currently being experienced by NHS patients and staff.” Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “NHS leaders are telling us daily that the pressures their staff are facing are becoming truly unbearable, so they will be questioning whether the Prime Minister and his Government, given how this – worst on record – winter crisis is unfolding before us, have truly understood the sheer scale of demand versus the capacity of the health service to deliver against it.” Adam Brimelow, director of communications at NHS Providers, said: “The Prime Minister’s pledge to cut waiting lists so that people get the care they need more quickly is an ambition that everyone in the NHS shares but his speech was short on detail about how this will be achieved.” Pat Cullen, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “The Prime Minister’s language appeared detached from the reality of what is happening and why. Louise Ansari, national director for Healthwatch England, said: “While we know the NHS is still providing vital treatment to the vast majority of those in need, it is also clear to us that the experience of accessing care is getting worse and that, tragically, for some people they are not getting the help they need in time.” The Doctors’ Association UK said it has written an open letter to Mr Sunak and shared doctor stories, including of a patient who could have survived with quicker care.