Labour Vows to Eliminate NHS 18-Week Wait Backlog by 2029, Unveils Major Health Reform Plans Ahead of General Election

The Labour Party commits to eliminating the waiting list for patients delayed more than 18 weeks by the end of five years. Sir Keir has vowed that, starting immediately upon winning the general election, his administration would establish facilities to accommodate the 40,000 additional consultations he has promised. However, the Conservatives have dismissed this as mere "copy and paste politics".

Political correspondent @NifS

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 11

The Labour Party has committed to eliminating the waiting list for NHS patients who have been awaiting treatment for over 18 weeks, within five years if they are elected into office.

During his speech in the West Midlands on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer will commit to enhancing the NHS nationwide, ensuring timely treatments for patients across all regions.

Initiatives will involve increasing the quantity of diagnostic scanners to expedite patient assessments, utilizing available resources in the private sector at no cost to patients, and implementing what Labour describes as "the largest growth in NHS personnel ever."

The party states that the initiative will have a price tag of £1.3 billion, which will be funded by tightening measures on tax evasion and sealing off tax loopholes for non-domiciled residents.

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The Labour Party has pointed out that the NHS has failed to meet its commitment to provide treatment within 18 weeks, as stated in the NHS constitution, every month since

According to the party's data, nearly 3.2 million individuals on the waiting list have exceeded this time limit, with over 300,000 of them waiting for more than a year.

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In committing to address the backlog, Sir Keir will highlight Labour’s past achievements under Tony Blair’s leadership, stating: "We have succeeded previously and we will succeed once more."

The strategies expand upon what the party describes as its initial measures for governance, incorporating an additional 40,000 weekly appointments within the NHS through extended working hours by employees.

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In a conversation with the Daily Mirror on Tuesday evening, Sir Keir declared that if his party is victorious in the general election scheduled for July 4, hospitals will be instructed to set up clinics during weekends and evenings starting immediately.

Individuals who excel will be deployed to various hospitals nationwide to demonstrate exemplary practices aimed at reducing the unprecedentedly long waiting lists, which presently exceed seven million patients awaiting treatment.

Sir Keir stated, "The NHS is very close to my heart. It's a part of my family's history."

"This is why I am completely dedicated to overhauling this system, revitalizing the NHS, and ensuring it is prepared for the challenges ahead."

Conservative Health Secretary Victoria Atkins criticized the announcement as just another example of "copy and paste" politics by Labour, accusing them of lacking a strategy.

"She added that the NHS has encountered unparalleled difficulties, which it can only surmount with the backing of a robust economy."

"This is why the Conservative Party has a definitive strategy and is committed to taai-allcreator.com">king decisive steps to bolster the economy and keep providing the technological advancements and innovations necessary for the NHS to further reduce waiting times."

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The Scottish National Party has urged Labour to promptly engage in discussions with NHS employees in England to resolve existing salary conflicts should they emerge victorious in the upcoming election.

Scottish National Party Health Secretary Neil Gray stated, "Supporting our NHS staff is crucial. They were hailed as heroes during the pandemic, and we should continue to regard them as heroes today."

In the meantime, John Swinney, the party chief and First Minister of Scotland, will present a new request to Sir Keir on Wednesday. He will urge him to re-nationalize the railways should they triumph in the upcoming election, and to roll out a significant investment in infrastructure aimed at undoing the reductions made by the Conservative Party.

The Liberal Democrats are set to ai-allcreator.com">kick off their Welsh campaign, announcing a £1 billion investment plan for farming.

The Conservative Party will emphasize improvements in education by unveiling a strategy to eliminate the lowest-rated university programs and introduce 100,000 apprenticeships annually.

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