Our plan will ensure the NHS' best years are yet to come
The government is working to fully back the health service for years to come, writes Health Minister Andrew Stephenson
The NHS has an incredible history and is a source of national pride.
But thanks to the long term decisions we're taking, the NHS' best years are yet to come.
Stats released today show there are now record numbers of doctors and nurses working in the health service. There are also 800 more doctors working in general practice compared to last February.
That’s nearly one and a half million incredible people caring for others, saving lives, and supporting patients across England.
We all know the NHS, and those working in it, have faced unprecedented challenges over recent years. We also know that many people – indeed many Daily Express readers – might be worried about pressure points and the way the NHS is running.
But I want to take this opportunity to tell readers: we are taking action. If we stick to the plan, the NHS will thrive.
This is because the government is working to fully back the health service, boost the workforce, and ensure everyone has access to world-class care for years to come.
It’s not just record staff numbers. We’re also providing the NHS with record funding of nearly £165 billion a year by the end of this Parliament.
And backed by £2.4 billion of government funding, the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will deliver the biggest expansion of staff training in NHS history, retain more talented people, and harness cutting-edge technology.
Our plan will also double medical school places. It will make the health service a better place to work, and the most recent NHS staff survey shows the workforce feels happier than since the start of the pandemic.
The Chancellor announced in the Budget that the NHS in England will receive a £2.5 billion day-to-day funding boost this year and a further £3.4 billion investment in the latest technology from 2025.
This investment in everyday computer systems will mean workers across the NHS can work smarter, spending more time sat face to face with patients, rather than staring into a screen that is slowly loading up.
