Health Secretary to tour England and ‘hear directly from staff and patients’
Last week, Mr Javid set out in the Commons how the NHS would tackle the backlog built up during the pandemic
Health secretary Sajid Javid. Image: PA.
By Catherine Wylie, PA
The Health Secretary will tour England this week, visiting hospitals, care homes, cancer centres and research facilities.
Sajid Javid’s first stop will be the East of England on Monday, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
His tour, which will feature vaccination centres and GP surgeries, will include visits to a number of hospital sites to hear about treatments being delivered within the NHS.
The DHSC said the tour is an opportunity for Mr Javid to hear from health and care staff that have worked throughout the pandemic, and each day he will host Q&A sessions with members of the public.
Mr Javid said: “As we learn to live with Covid, my mission is clear.
“We must tackle the backlog of people waiting for treatment, bring NHS and social care services closer together and deal with the stark inequalities and level up the health of the nation.
“Nurses, doctors, GPs, vaccinators, porters and so many others have put everything on the line to care for patients and families throughout this pandemic, and that’s why I wanted to thank them personally.
“This week I want to hear directly from staff, patients, residents and local people about their experiences of the health and care systems and discuss my plans for NHS and social care recovery and reform.”
Last week, Mr Javid set out in the Commons how the NHS would tackle the backlog built up during the pandemic, including new targets for reducing long waits and getting people checked for illnesses more quickly.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he will take a trip out of London to Scotland and northern England this week, as he strives to avoid a fine by answering a legal questionnaire from Scotland Yard regarding alleged lockdown breaches in Downing Street.
