, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
said:
“When I said the NHS was broken, I was being honest with the
public about the scale of the challenge. It will take time to fix
it, so there's no time to waste.
“I am meeting with junior doctors early this week to discuss the
end of strike action, and on Monday I will meet the British
Dental Association to begin rescuing NHS dentistry.
“I will also continue to meet with officials and NHS leaders to
agree plans for providing an extra 40,000 operations, scans and
appointments a week as soon as possible to cut waiting lists.
“This is what we promised in opposition, so it is what we are
doing in government.
“It will be the mission of this government to build an NHS fit
for the future. I'm delighted that the Prime Minister will
chair the mission delivery board to drive through that change,
renew the NHS and build a healthier Britain.”
Background:
- On Friday the Health and Social Care Secretary spoke with the
BMA Junior Doctors Committee and agreed to meet face-to-face for
the first time on Tuesday ahead of negotiations to end the strike
action.
- Tomorrow [Monday], the Secretary of State will also meet the
British Dental Association to discuss reform of the dental
contract and getting the 700,000 urgent dentistry appointments up
and running as soon as possible.
- The Secretary of State's first visit in the role will be to a
GP practice, along with NHS England Chief Executive Amanda
Pritchard.
- He is also holding meetings with NHS leaders and officials to
begin work on delivering 40,000 extra appointments per week.
- On Saturday, Prime Minister confirmed that the
Government would create delivery boards for each of the
Government's Five Missions
- The Government's Health Mission is to build an NHS fit for
the future – requiring investment and reform – to change the NHS
so that it focuses on prevention first, delivers a neighbourhood
health service, and embraces technology.
