Health Secretary’s Speech “Underlines Gap Between Aspirations And Reality, Says MHA

MHA, the country’s largest charitable care provider, has responded to Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester earlier this week.

In his speech the Health Secretary promised to “build a future where our health and social care systems are integrated more seamlessly together”, adding 2022 would be “a year of renewal and reform”.

He laid out his plans for a review of leadership and management in health and social which will be led by retired General, Sir Gordon Messenger, adding: : “This will be the most far-reaching review since Roy Griffith’s report to Margaret Thatcher in 1983.

“It will shine a light on the outstanding leaders who drive efficiency and innovation, and see how we can replicate that leadership throughout the country.”

Chief executive Sam Monaghan (pictured above) commented: “Today’s speech from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has underlined the gap between political aspirations and the reality on the ground for people who need good quality care right now.

“Across the social care sector, the staffing crisis means fewer care places for older people. Even as a large charity, MHA was forced to close 10% of our care homes to new admissions on average over the past month, which means more older people are staying in hospital when they don’t need to be there.

“The Government needs to tackle this crisis now, by enabling more care workers from overseas to work in the UK using Skilled Worker visas, launching a national recruitment campaign, and funding a bonus to recognise the dedication of the care workforce. Without urgent intervention, the Secretary of State’s expectations of improved performance in the NHS cannot be met.”