Today marks the 75th anniversary of the NHS, one of our most treasured national institutions, as we deliver a better NHS for staff and patients now and in the future.
We know there are pressures on services, particularly following the pandemic, and it is important the NHS changes and adapts in response to this by improving technology and medical advancements.
That is why we are supporting our NHS with record levels of investment and more doctors and nurses than ever before. Investment must be supported by reform, which is why last week we set out our 15-year NHS workforce plan, backed by £2.4 billion, modernising the workforce and setting out the largest expansion in training and recruitment in the NHS’ history.
We are confident that with our plans for recovery and reform and an embrace of technology and innovation, it will be fit to deliver the best care to patients for another 75 years, as we deliver on the Prime Minister’s pledge to cut waiting lists.
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS, we welcome news that last year more than one million people had a face-to-face NHS Health Check – more than double the previous year - helping to save lives and cut waiting lists.
Catching potentially life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and strokes early is essential for preventing illnesses, easing pressure on the NHS and cutting waiting lists.
That is why last week we announced the rollout of a new digital health check from spring which will deliver more than one million checks in four years. We also welcome the news that last year, 2.9 million NHS Health Checks offered, and 1.1 million checks carried out in 2022/23 – more than doubling activity in 2021/22.
Face-to-face health checks have recovered to pre-pandemic levels thanks to the efforts of local authorities and NHS staff, and the checks will help us deliver on our priority to cut waiting lists.
A national targeted lung cancer screening programme designed to catch cancer sooner or prevent it altogether is also on the way. Each year the programme - which will cost £270 million annually once fully implemented - is expected to detect cancer in as many as 9,000 people, deliver almost one million scans and provide treatment earlier.
