With the formation of Keir Starmer’s government, the Department of Health and Social Care has seen the appointment of two new ministers with responsibility for key areas of NHS transformation including the federated data platform, technology and innovation, and cyber security.
Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, was appointed minister of state for health (secondary care), with a remit including system oversight, reconfiguration and improvement; NHS data and technology, including cyber security and the federated data platform; the new hospital programme and hospital upgrades; procurement; and energy resilience and net zero. Other areas of Smyth’s portfolio include elective care, elective performance and waiting list recovery, winter planning, and workforce recruitment, retention, education and training.
MP for Aberafan Maesteg, Stephen Kinnock, is the new minister of state for care, with responsibilities within adult social care including technology and innovation, system assurance and data, markets, workforce and funding. Additionally, Kinnock oversees areas such as primary care, health and social care integration, and community health.
What does the general election mean for the NHS?
Following Labour’s majority win of the 2024 general election, HTN took a closer look into the party’s manifesto to explore what the new government means for the national health service.
We examined Labour’s vision to modernise the NHS with a new ‘Fit for the Future’ fund, which aims to provide investment for the doubling of CT and MRI scanners to support faster diagnosis of disease and the inclusion of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Labour’s manifesto also places an emphasis on data and life sciences, with the party sharing intention to develop an NHS innovation and adoption strategy in England including a plan for procurement. It is hoped that this will help provide a clearer route to introduce products into the NHS along with “reformed incentive structures” designed to drive innovation and quicker regulatory approval for new technologies and medicines.
Other key commitments for Labour include reducing waiting times as priority and focusing on the management of chronic, long-term conditions along with mental health, cancer, cardiovascular disease and suicide.
Which of Labour’s key areas of focus do you think should take priority for the new government? Head over to LinkedIn to cast your vote in our latest poll.
