In a pivotal interview, the Prime Minister condemns past Conservative-led administrations for “breaking” the NHS and anticipates a damning report on the state of children’s health service

In a stark critique of past governance, Sir Keir Starmer has denounced successive Conservative-led governments for allegedly “breaking” the NHS. In his first major interview since taking office, the Prime Minister addressed the state of the National Health Service (NHS) during a discussion with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. Starmer’s comments come ahead of a critical review, led by eminent surgeon Lord Darzi, set to be released this Thursday.

Starmer characterized the NHS’s current state as “unforgiveable,” attributing its troubles to austerity measures imposed during the coalition years and subsequent Conservative handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The anticipated review is expected to highlight significant failures, particularly affecting children’s health services.

The report, according to Starmer, will reveal extensive systemic issues, including increased wait times and declining health outcomes for children. Preliminary findings suggest that last year, over 100,000 infants waited more than six hours in A&E departments in England. Wait times for infants have surged by 60% over the past 15 years, and around 800,000 children and young people are currently on NHS waiting lists for hospital treatment. The review is also expected to document a troubling rise in ADHD medication prescriptions and hospital admissions for eating disorders among children.

The report further indicates a stark disparity in health outcomes based on socio-economic status. Children from the most deprived backgrounds are reportedly twice as likely to be obese by reception age, with nearly one in three children in the poorest communities classified as obese by Year 6. Additionally, life-threatening and life-limiting conditions among children have increased by 40% over the past two decades.

In response to Starmer’s comments, Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins criticized Labour for allegedly politicizing the issue rather than offering concrete solutions. The Liberal Democrats, represented by health spokesperson Daisy Cooper, echoed the sentiment that Conservative failures have severely impacted the NHS and called for an emergency health budget from the new government.

Starmer’s remarks focused on the need for substantial reform, which he plans to address through Lord Darzi’s review. The Prime Minister emphasized that the review’s findings would help diagnose the problems and pave the way for long-term solutions. Starmer has pledged to begin addressing the issues by funding 40,000 out-of-hours NHS appointments each week to alleviate waiting lists.

The forthcoming report is expected to provide more details on critical issues such as overstretched GP services and challenges related to staff retention and recruitment. While Starmer’s criticism of the Conservatives sets the stage for his government’s reform agenda, questions remain about how Labour will address these issues and meet NHS targets moving forward.

In addition to the NHS, Starmer’s interview covered a range of topics, including the summer riots, the Grenfell disaster, public finances, and his forthcoming visit to the White House. The full interview will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 09:00 BST on Sunday.

Analysis:

Political:
Sir Keir Starmer’s critique of past Conservative governments highlights a broader political strategy to distance Labour from previous failures and position the party as the solution to ongoing problems within the NHS. By blaming the Conservatives for the NHS’s current state, Starmer aims to galvanize public support for Labour’s proposed reforms. This tactic reflects a common political manoeuvre where opposition parties use past failures to justify their policy agendas and gain electoral advantage.

Social:
The discussion about the NHS’s decline underscores broader societal concerns about the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. The focus on children’s health amplifies public anxiety about the state of the NHS and highlights the need for urgent reforms. The anticipated report’s findings will likely influence public discourse on healthcare and drive conversations about the role of government in ensuring equitable health outcomes.

Racial:
While the report does not explicitly address racial issues, the socio-economic disparities highlighted—such as higher obesity rates among children from deprived backgrounds—may intersect with racial inequalities. In the UK, marginalized communities often face compounded disadvantages in health, which can be exacerbated by systemic issues in healthcare provision.

Gender:
The impact of NHS failures on children’s health also raises questions about gender disparities, particularly in how health services address the needs of different genders. The rise in ADHD medication and eating disorders may reflect broader gender-specific issues in healthcare, requiring targeted interventions to address the unique needs of boys and girls.

Economic:
Economically, the NHS’s struggles reflect the financial pressures faced by the health service, exacerbated by austerity and inadequate funding. The cost of addressing these issues, including proposed reforms and increased out-of-hours appointments, will be significant. The debate over NHS funding and budget allocations will likely influence economic policies and priorities in the upcoming government agendas.