Streeting speech: government’s deafening silence on social care is bitterly disappointing

EMBARGO: 00.01 Wednesday 13th November

Responding to the government announcement of NHS reforms and new league tables of NHS Providers, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said: 

“There is no doubt that our NHS is in desperate need of reform after years of Conservative neglect. Patients have been left to suffer record waiting times and are struggling to see their GP.

“Whilst it is welcome that the new government is addressing the enormous issues facing our health service, the government’s lack of ambition and deafening silence on social care is bitterly disappointing.

“The new government surely must know that you cannot fix our health service without fixing social care. They risk kicking the can down the road and making the same mistakes as the Conservatives.

“If we are to rescue the NHS we need to see cross-party talks on social care immediately. Without the social care sector on a long-term sustainable footing, NHS patients won't get the care they deserve.”

ENDS