Wes Streeting is scaring the sick and facing backlash over repeated claims the NHS is broken, health leaders have warned

Wes Streeting’s repeated claims that the ‘NHS is broken’ risk ‘scaring’ patients and putting them off seeking care, health leaders have warned.

Insiders say they understand why the Health Secretary wants the public to know what a “difficult legacy” Labor has been left with. But they fear he has adopted the ‘wrong tone’ which will demoralize staff and could cause ‘lasting damage’.

In recent weeks the government has claimed cancer is a ‘death sentence’ due to the failings of the NHS, while maternity care is a ‘disgrace’ to the nation.

Streeting responded to the criticism in his speech at the Labor Party conference in Liverpool yesterday, insisting he would ‘not back down’.

Health leaders have warned that Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured at a Labor Party conference in September 2024) is putting patients off seeking healthcare

While insiders understand that the government wants the public to understand the problems they have inherited, they fear they are using the ‘wrong tone’ (stock image)

He said: ‘I know sometimes the doctor’s diagnosis is hard to hear.

‘But if you don’t have an accurate diagnosis, you don’t give the right prescription.

‘And if you put protecting the reputation of the NHS above protecting patients, you are not helping the NHS, you are killing it with kindness.

‘I’m not going backwards. The NHS is broken, but not defeated, and together we will turn the tide.”

He again blamed the Conservatives for the “grim” state of the NHS, highlighting record waiting lists, emergency department delays and low patient satisfaction.

But he promised his 10-year plan to reform the NHS would create a “world-class” service.

A hospital leader told the BBC: ‘We understand the political side of what the government is doing – they feel they need to establish with the public what a difficult legacy they have been given. . .

‘But there is increasing nervousness that, if it continues for much longer, it could frighten patients and make it very difficult to boost staff morale. Hope is important.’

It is believed that NHS England has raised concerns about the government’s language (stock image)

But despite critics saying they have gone too far by labeling diseases such as cancer a ‘death sentence’, the minister told a recent conference he will not back down.

NHS England is also understood to have made the government aware of its concerns about the reporting, and is monitoring the impact this has on patients coming forward for checks and appointments.

Another hospital leader said: “If the government is not careful, it will cause lasting damage. Yes, we know there are many problems, but there is also a lot of good care that is not recognized. We need to see a shift – the wording of the death penalty against cancer strikes completely the wrong tone.’

Sir Julian Hartley, CEO of NHS Providers, which represents trust CEOs, said it was important to recognize the efforts of staff working ‘at full capacity’.

Thea Stein, chief executive of think tank Nuffield Trust, which led an NHS trust until last year, said: ‘Language matters. The problem with the term ‘broken’ is that people think that something that is broken should be thrown away.’

Benefit recipients were told to find work to reduce their bill

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured speaking in New York on September 25) has said that people on long-term sickness benefits should work if they are able to do so.

Those claiming long-term sickness benefits should look for work if they are able, the Prime Minister has said.

Sir Keir Starmer said there will be support to help as the Government looks to cut the sky-high benefits bill.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: ‘I think the basic premise that you have to look for work is correct.

‘Of course there will be difficult cases, but the way I would do it is to say: yes, that is the starting point, but we also want to support that so that more people can get to work.’

With 2.8 million people unemployed due to ill health, the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts that the bill for sickness and disability benefits will rise by £30 billion over five years.