Patricia Hewitt

Labour's Secetary of State for Health
Not many years ago, people in Britain could wait twelve, fifteen, eighteen months for a hip operation. Those waiting lists – unheard of in most developed country health services – were the way the NHS stayed within its budget.  But the public weren't prepared to tolerate them any longer.  It wasn't acceptable.

Now, the NHS has cut waiting times for an operation to a maximum of six months – less for most people. But the public rightly want more. That's why we have promised that by the end of 2008, no-one will wait more than 18 weeks, maximum, from GP referral to hospital operation – including the diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments in between. But even before we've got there, people are already saying even that sounds like a long time.
 
Three revolutions, three great challenges – medical technology, demographics and rising expectations. They confront every healthcare system in every developed country, whatever the system of funding - whether you are in Singapore which spends 3.5% of GDP on healthcare, with personal co-payments on top, or in the United States, which spends 17% and still has 45 million people uninsured. Whatever the funding system, there are huge challenges.
 
In the United Kingdom, the NHS provides universal healthcare to everyone, free at the point of need. It is one of the fairest health systems in the world (not just in my view, but also according to the OECD) – and the institution that people are most likely to name when asked what makes them proud to be British.
 
The challenge for us in Britain today is to prove that we can have a health service that maintains its founding values, but can also achieve the quality and speed of treatment, the choice and personal service that people expect.

I believe that the changes and reforms we are making are not only consistent with our traditional values, they are essential if we are to protect the NHS for future generations

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NHS Quotes

Ten years ago patients routinely waited 18 months for treatment, in some cases they waited years or died before the NHS could get its act together. Today most will be seen in less than six months.” (Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the Kings Fund – Daily Telegraph – 20/02/07)

“Patients are seeing real improvements in healthcare services in England and Wales.
They are waiting less time for treatments and appointments in hospital. There are now more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. In England, fewer people are dying from common conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, and the majority of patients are positive about their experiences of healthcare services.” (Health Care Commission, Annual State of Healthcare Report Pg 7, 30/10/06)

“I am proud of the work the cancer networks and front-line staff have done to ensure patients are being diagnosed and treated more quickly. It is very good news that survival rates are improving and death rates are falling.” (Professor Mike Richards, GNN Website, 05/10/06)

“The unprecedented levels of funding the NHS has received in recent years have delivered real benefits in terms of lower waiting lists, more staff and better care in cancer, coronary heart disease and mental health." (Niall Dickson – Chief Executive, King’s Fund – PA News – 23/02/07)

“doctors and nurses remain hugely committed to their patients … But they are being let down by a system that is dysfunctional. This Government has bravely decided to take on this dysfunction. It is committed to reform. Many of its reforms are absolutely right and its commitment and good intentions are beyond reproach.” (Building a World Class NHS – Reform)