For the first time in 17 years, NHS waiting lists have fallen in April – clear evidence that Labour’s plan for the NHS is working.
After years of Conservative mismanagement and spiralling waiting times, Labour’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed that waiting lists have now dropped by almost a quarter of a million people since Labour entered government. This follows a series of urgent reforms, backed by record investment, aimed at getting the NHS back on its feet and working for patients.
“Thanks to our interventions and the hard work of NHS staff, the overall waiting list has now fallen in April for the first time in 17 years – dropping by almost a quarter of a million since we took office,” said Wes Streeting.
“This is just the start. We’ve delivered millions of extra appointments since July, and we are pushing on with our mission to get the NHS working for patients once again as we deliver our Plan for Change.”
Here in Hertsmere, residents have been directly affected by long NHS delays, from accessing GP appointments to receiving urgent specialist treatment. For many local people, these first signs of recovery will come as a huge relief.
Earlier this month, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, wrote to Health Secretary Wes Streeting to raise urgent concerns about GP services in Borehamwood — and to press the case for a new GP surgery to serve the town’s growing population.
Cllr Chris Gray, Hertsmere’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“After years of frustration and unacceptable delays for local families, Labour is finally turning the NHS around. We know there’s still a long way to go – but this news shows we’re moving in the right direction.
People locally have told us time and again how worried they’ve been about getting access to the care they need. For the first time in years, we’re seeing positive change – and it’s being delivered by a Labour government.”
Hertsmere Labour remains committed to ensuring that local healthcare services are fit for the future. We’ll keep working with NHS partners and national government to push for the investment our communities need — including better GP access and new facilities in areas under pressure.