Jonathan Ashworth response to the National Audit Office’s report on sustainability and transformation in the NHS

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on the National
Audit Office’s report on sustainability and transformation in the NHS, said:

“The
NAO’s report confirms the Government’s flawed and wholly inadequate approach to
the sustainable, long term funding of the NHS. Ministers have failed to
increase per head spending in real terms each year, a key election promise, and
there are still no details of a long overdue pay rise for NHS staff.

“Our
NHS is in crisis. Years of underinvestment culminated in December 2017 being
the worst month on record for A&E performance and elective operations being
cancelled until the end of January. Targets are being missed and in-year cash
injections are not improving the financial performances of Trusts.

“Unlike
the Tories, Labour outlined a costed long term plan for funding the NHS. Labour
will give our NHS an extra £6 billion a year to ensure that our NHS remains a
world class service for all.”

Ends