Doctors strikes: BMA and Streeting talks ‘constructive’

Doctors strikes: BMA and Streeting talks ‘constructive’

Resident doctors say they have had “constructive discussions” with the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and talks will continue over the next few days, in an attempt to avert planned strike action. The doctors, previously known as junior doctors, announced last week that they will walk out for five consecutive days from 25 July until 30 … Read more

National inquiry into maternity care announced by Wes Streeting

National inquiry into maternity care announced by Wes Streeting

Nick Triggle & Michael Buchanan BBC News Getty Images Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said “we must act now” as he announced a national investigation into maternity care in England. The “rapid” inquiry will urgently look at the worst-performing maternity and neonatal services in the country, including Leeds, Sussex, Gloucester, and Mid and South Essex. … Read more

Streeting urges doctors to vote no in strike ballot

Streeting urges doctors to vote no in strike ballot

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged doctors in England to “vote no” in a ballot on industrial action which gets under way on Tuesday. In a BBC interview, he urged resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, to “work with the government” and warned strikes risked hampering the progress being made in the NHS. … Read more

Streeting accused of ‘betrayal’ over maternity funding plan

Streeting accused of ‘betrayal’ over maternity funding plan

Michael Buchanan Social affairs correspondent BBC Richard Stanton and Rhiannon Davies campaigned for a review into maternity services after their baby daughter died in 2009 Campaigners have questioned Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s commitment to maternity safety after his department watered down funding levels. Almost £100m was invested into improving maternity safety annually following the publication … Read more

Wes Streeting admits ‘risk of disruption’ in NHS overhaul

Wes Streeting admits ‘risk of disruption’ in NHS overhaul

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said there is a “risk of disruption” in the NHS as he attempts to overhaul the service and reduce waste, but has promised long-term improvements. On Thursday, Streeting announced NHS England, a public administrative body, would be scrapped to save money and give ministers more control of health services. The … Read more

Wes Streeting says he is ashamed of NHS winter problems

Wes Streeting says he is ashamed of NHS winter problems

Getty Images The health secretary has said some patients’ experience of the NHS this winter makes him feel “ashamed”. Wes Streeting said he had seen patients left crying and distressed and stuck in corridors, as hospitals struggle to cope. It comes as a number of NHS trusts declare critical incidents due to exceptionally high demand … Read more

Physician associates: Streeting orders review to end ‘toxic row’

Physician associates: Streeting orders review to end ‘toxic row’

Getty Images The government has ordered a review of physician associates (PA) and anaesthesia associates (AA) in England after mounting concern about their use in the NHS. The number of PAs and AAs, who help doctors, are in the process of being rapidly expanded. But the British Medical Association has voiced concerns they are being … Read more

Assisted dying could lead to coercion, warns Wes Streeting

Assisted dying could lead to coercion, warns Wes Streeting

Getty Images MPs are due to vote on a bill next month that could make the process legal in England and Wales The health secretary has said he is worried that legalising assisted dying could risk ill people feeling “guilt-tripped” into ending their own lives. It emerged last week that Wes Streeting had privately told … Read more

Health Secretary Wes Streeting will vote against legalising assisted dying

Health Secretary Wes Streeting will vote against legalising assisted dying

Health Secretary Wes Streeting will vote against changing the law on assisted dying, the BBC has confirmed. Backbench Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has put forward a bill proposing that terminally ill adults nearing the end of their lives get the right to choose to shorten their deaths if they wish. But in a meeting of … Read more

Weight loss jabs for unemployed not dystopian, says Wes Streeting

Weight loss jabs for unemployed not dystopian, says Wes Streeting

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has dismissed suggestions that plans to provide weight loss jabs to unemployed people with obesity are “dystopian.”. The UK government is launching a five-year trial with pharmaceutical giant Lilly to test if the weight-loss drug Mounjaro can help get more people back to work and ease the strain on the NHS … Read more