To make it happen, Starmer says Labour would prioritise preventing ill health, shifting NHS care out of hospitals and into the community, and expanding the health system’s capacity—including more staff and new technology. A “health in all policies” approach would encourage action across government to put in place the “building blocks” of good health, such as jobs, income, and housing. Labour’s plan is limited on smoking and says nothing on reducing alcohol related harms, despite rising deaths and hospital admissions.1112 Labour’s focus on “getting the basics right” in the NHS makes sense. Labour’s successful “war on waiting” in the 2000s was backed by substantial increases in funding and staff—and, even then, was made up of several battles over a decade.1920 Labour’s plan to strengthen primary and community care and join up services outside hospitals is nothing new. Further details of The BMJ policy on financial interests are here: https://www.bmj.com/sites/default/files/attachments/resources/2016/03/16-current-bmj-education-coi-form.pdfProvenance and peer review: Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.

Source: The Times May 31, 2023 08:43 UTC