Nurses are the heart and soul of the NHS, and I’m so grateful for everything that you do in the most challenging times. I know we need to do more to help you continue to deliver this world-class care, and we have pledged to boost the NHS’s ranks with 50,000 more nurses by the end of this parliament. We are heading in the right direction, with over 27,000 more nurses now working across the NHS. My Department has been working with colleagues across the NHS to deliver on this commitment and make sure you are supported by the best and brightest talent. Because it’s only with the right staff in pl ..read more

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a clear example of the importance of working together as one. Whether it’s the extraordinary success of the vaccination programme, or the work to identify and protect the most vulnerable, we were at our best when we worked across traditional boundaries and out of silos towards a common goal. The health and social care integration white paper, which we launched last month, sets out our bold ambition to build on the foundations laid by the Health and Social Care Bill. Not only does it seek to create a seamless, integrated system with people’s needs at its heart, i ..read more

No institution has felt the burden of the Covid-19 pandemic more than the NHS. While you have met the challenges of the pandemic with great skill, dedication and resilience, it is clear that there are ongoing pressures which need addressing urgently. We know that waiting lists will continue to rise before they fall. The latest data shows that the number of people waiting for elective care in England now stands at 6 million, and we estimate that during the pandemic around 10 million people did not come forward for the care they need. I know that this means additional pressures on you and how y ..read more

There has been a national scheme to reward and incentivise the highest-performing consultants in the NHS for as long as the institution itself has existed. And although the details of the reward scheme have changed greatly in that time (much like the NHS itself), at its heart remains a core principle: to recognise and champion excellence in the workforce. Since my appointment as Medical Director of the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACCEA) in 2020, I have been working closely with our Chair, Dr Stuart Dollow, and colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care, to de ..read more

The Christmas period can often be challenging for those working in the health and social care sector, and as we once again tackle Covid-19 with the renewed threat from Omicron, this year is no exception. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has recorded a message of support and thanks to all colleagues working in health and social care this Christmas ..read more

Winter is always a difficult time for the NHS. I’m under no illusion that this winter will be especially difficult, with Covid-19 – and the Omicron variant – adding to our usual seasonal pressures. I’m determined to make sure you have everything you need to stay safe and healthy through the challenging weeks ahead. During my visits to the NHS frontline, I’ve been hearing from you about what you need from us right now. I know we need to address workforce shortages across the NHS. While our workforce continues to grow, and we now have the highest staffing levels in the history of the NHS, we mu ..read more

With the Leadership and Management Review now underway, we wanted to write to introduce ourselves, and to set out some thoughts on the approach we will be adopting as we take forward this important work. If we could start by seeking to reassure: We fully recognise the complexity of the task ahead, and the need to engage comprehensively to get your views on how leadership and management, at every level, could be strengthened to ensure better outcomes - both for the public and for everyone who works in health and social care, regardless of your seniority or role. In the coming months, we will ..read more

We’ve made huge strides in fighting the pandemic, thanks to your hard work and the work of your colleagues. Now, we must apply the same energy, and determination, to tackling the problems that the pandemic has brought with it. Winter is approaching, and I’m determined to make sure you have what you need to deliver the best possible care at this challenging time for our health service, and also give you the support you need to clear the backlog from the pandemic. Last month, the Chancellor announced a raft of new measures to support the UK’s health and social care system. The £5.9 billion set ..read more

The NHS was founded on the principle of equality: that good healthcare should be available to all, “based on clinical need, not ability to pay”. It’s so important that we practice what we preach and make sure that the NHS is an inclusive place of work for the 1.3 million people who work there. As a child of immigrants growing up in the 70s and 80s, I know what it’s like to face prejudice and discrimination, and I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t fit in at work. Now that I’m Secretary of State - first Secretary of State at DHSC from an ethnic minority - I will do everything I can to ..read more