Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the urgent need for NHS waiting lists to be reduced significantly, stating that millions must come down before the next general election scheduled for 2029. He reiterated the commitment to restore the NHS to its constitutional standards during Labour's first term, which includes goals of seeing A&E patients within four hours and ensuring that those requiring cancer treatments receive care within 62 days. This commitment reflects Labour’s broader focus on healthcare reform and its importance in the upcoming elections.
When asked about the timeline for reducing NHS waiting lists back to pre-pandemic levels, Streeting expressed his desire for quicker results. He pointed out the current figures highlight a significant increase in waiting lists—7.6 million compared to 4.6 million in February 2020. The Health Secretary stated that achieving the key health service targets will require substantial changes and improvements before the next general election, noting the imperative nature of addressing these extended waiting periods.
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