‘It’s Going The Wrong Way’: Health Secretary Shown How The Tories Have Failed On NHS Waiting Lists

A Tory minister was instructed NHS ready lists had been “going the fallacious means” regardless of Rishi Sunak’s pledge to deliver them down.

Well being secretary Victoria Atkins was proven a damning graph setting out how the lists have virtually doubled within the final 5 years to virtually 8 million.

That’s regardless of the prime minister vowing initially of the 12 months that they might be decrease inside 12 months.

Showing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC One this morning, Atkins refused to verify that the lists could be down in time for the following election.

Pointing to the graph, Kuenssberg stated: “That is what has occurred to ready lists. We all know in fact the pandemic made issues rather more difficult, however our viewers can see it was going up effectively earlier than the pandemic.

“Heaps extra money has gone in, there are numerous, many extra employees. That is the state of affairs that persons are having to take care of.

“That is the prime minister’s goal and it’s going the fallacious means.”

The minister claimed the long-running industrial motion by docs and nurses was in charge for the federal government’s failure.

“Since December final 12 months we’ve seen some 1.1 million appointments must be rescheduled,” she stated.

Atkins stated the federal government has reached a pay settlement with unions representing NHS consultants, and that talks had been ongoing with junior docs as effectively.

However Kuenssberg identified that Atkins’ predecessor as well being secretary, Steve Barclay, had refused to barter with the commerce unions for months.

“You’ve stated that the strikes are a giant purpose why the ready lists are sky excessive and persons are struggling,” she stated. “Why then did the federal government sit on its palms for months refusing to speak to the docs. Isn’t that duty on you too?”

The presenter went on: “With the numbers going the fallacious means, are you able to commit that you just’re really going to hit these targets earlier than the overall election?”

The minister replied: “We need to meet these targets, however I would like the consultants to cross this settlement that we’ve put ahead.”

Kuenssberg replied: “You’re saying that if the docs settle for the brand new deal, the prime minister would possibly hit his targets. However should you don’t, he gained’t.”

Atkins stated: “We’re doing every part we are able to.”