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Beware of Streeting’s selective statistics as he bids for top job
Wes Streeting’s widely-expected letter of resignation to Keir Starmer begins with a predictable ritual breast-beating on the achievements during his 32 months as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. He says: “The results are in, and I am pleased to report that I have delivered against the ambitious targets you set for me [...] The post Beware of St
NHS Modernisation Bill – all roads lead to less accountability to patients and staff
As Wes Streeting enters the murky waters of a leadership challenge, he jumps ship as the NHS heads turn towards another messy reorganisation that will squeeze out scrutiny and the public voice in the NHS. The King’s Speech included a commitment for the government to put forward an ‘NHS Modernisation Bill’ that will trigger another [...] The post NHS Modernis
Despite all the evidence, NHS chiefs turn again to management consultants
At the end of last month the Health Service Journal revealed that the Department of Health and Social Care has been paying a management consultancy since last year to help it “create and drive the right target culture” – and to advise on “pay strategy” – as it absorbs NHS England with a net loss [...] The post Despite all the evidence, NHS chiefs turn again
Brutal cuts coming, NHS Alliance report reveals
The Lowdown has, for some time, been asking questions about how plans to make savings have affected staff and services during 2025/6. Now, according to a recent report from the NHS Alliance, it seems an even tighter financial squeeze, with bigger and potentially more damaging cuts, is on the way in many areas for 26/27. The report [...] The post Brutal cuts
NHS chiefs frightened to share the facts?
(Updated version 14/7) The NHS Alliance whose report has revealed the threat of brutal cuts to come in the current financial year (2026/27) is the result of a merger. The NHS Confederation, representing ICBs, trusts, primary care, ‘independent’ and voluntary sector partners in England Wales and Northern Ireland) has merged with the more narrowly focused [...
Campaigners launch legal challenge to NHS drug price control changes demanded by Trump
On June 1 patient-led campaign group Just Treatment, and social justice organisation, Global Justice Now (GJN) issued a legal challenge to the government implementing its toxic deal on pharmaceuticals that concedes vital ground to President Trump and the giant US pharma corporations. The campaigners are aiming to block changes to the NHS’s price control mech
Signs of how NHS cuts are biting in England
Lowdown investigators have continued their quest to establish how cash savings are being sought, and the implications for services across England’s NHS, and one conclusion is clear: few at Integrated Care Board or Trust Board level seem willing to set out clearly what is being cut, where or when – and this seems set to [...] The post Signs of how NHS cuts ar
Streeting’s timely escape before NHS statistics reveal failures
Wes Streeting may have jumped too soon to pose a challenge to Keir Starmer (which polls suggest is futile), but he got out of the hot seat as Health and Social Care Secretary at just the right time, according to the latest statistics. His letter to Starmer claimed to have “delivered against the ambitious targets you [...] The post Streeting’s timely escape b