Wes Streeting has revealed a new NHS initiative aimed at addressing the underperformance of some of the nation’s poorest-performing hospitals. The Health Secretary made the announcement during a speech at the University of East London, coinciding with recent polling indicating a positive shift for the NHS under Labour’s leadership after a period of decline under the Conservatives.
The NHS Intensive Recovery program, set to commence next month, targets hospital trusts with extended wait times and subpar care by deploying expert leadership teams to implement necessary transformations. This strategy includes the removal of underperforming leaders and potential mergers of certain healthcare organizations.
Streeting emphasized the urgency of addressing chronic underperformance across various regions, stressing the need for tangible improvements in patient care. He introduced the Intensive Recovery program as a solution to revitalize struggling providers, stating that failure will no longer be disregarded.
Notable hospital trusts set to undergo interventions in the initial phase include North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.
Under the Labour government’s first full year in 2025, the NHS saw a significant decrease in dissatisfaction levels, marking the most substantial improvement in over a quarter-century since the inception of New Labour in 1998. The British Social Attitudes survey, a longstanding gauge of public sentiments on healthcare, highlighted persisting discontent, particularly regarding A&E services and dental care.
Streeting also raised concerns about the potential impact on the NHS if Reform UK were to win the upcoming General Election. He cautioned against Nigel Farage’s expressed support for an insurance-based healthcare system, contrasting it with the British public’s preference for a universally accessible NHS. Streeting urged voters to consider the implications of Farage’s stance on healthcare when evaluating Reform UK’s platform.
