In defence of Andrew Lansley s NHS reforms
The White Paper looks promising. But Matt Hancock must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater
11 February 2021 • 5:32pm
Thursday s health White Paper has to be a turning point for the NHS. The Service faces a backlog of two million patients whose operations have been cancelled due to the pandemic. Twelve months ago, only 2,000 people were waiting for an operation for longer than a year. Now that figure is over 300,000.
With decisive new thinking, and private sector investment, the backlog and the long waits can be eliminated well before the next general election. That is the test which the White Paper must pass.