Labour will attempt to link “waste, waits, stresses and strains” in the NHS to the government’s reforms, and try to redesign services through the local authorities it runs.
Shadow cabinet member for care and older people Liz Kendall told HSJ: “The government seems to think if the Health Bill goes through that is the big hurdle [but] they have no idea the about what is ahead of them.”
She said Labour would highlight “stresses and strains” in the NHS such as rising waiting lists and times and trusts with deficits.
Ms Kendall said the Health Bill would make it more difficult to redesign services to help overcome these problems and reduce “waste”. Ms Kendall said: “They have fallen into the trap of thinking organisational change is real change.”
She said in areas with Labour councils and mayors the party would attempt to bring together local authorities, commissioning groups and providers to try to integrate services and shift care into the community. She said although new health and wellbeing board were “weak” the party would use them.
Ms Kendall said: “It is Labour that is going to champion genuine integration of health and social care, mental health and housing.
“We are going to work closely with Labour local councils to achieve that on the ground despite the reforms.”
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