This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44895002
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Low NHS morale is 'heartbreaking' says Matt Hancock | |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Seeing how NHS staff feel "undervalued" is "heartbreaking", the new Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said. | Seeing how NHS staff feel "undervalued" is "heartbreaking", the new Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said. |
| In his first speech since taking the job, Mr Hancock said he is horrified at the level of bullying reported by staff. | |
| The British Medical Association welcomed the sentiment but said it needed to be underpinned by action. | The British Medical Association welcomed the sentiment but said it needed to be underpinned by action. |
| Mr Hancock, the former digital and culture secretary, also pledged £487m for technology in the NHS. | |
| Of that money, £412m will be used to improve technology in hospitals and to give more patients access to health services at home. | Of that money, £412m will be used to improve technology in hospitals and to give more patients access to health services at home. |
| The remaining £75m will be put towards replacing paper systems with electronic ones - a move which, it is hoped, will reduce medication errors. | The remaining £75m will be put towards replacing paper systems with electronic ones - a move which, it is hoped, will reduce medication errors. |
| Last week it was revealed that some hospitals are still reliant on fax machines. | Last week it was revealed that some hospitals are still reliant on fax machines. |
| Addressing staff at West Suffolk Hospital on Friday, Mr Hancock said: "Let this be clear: tech transformation is coming." | |
| He added that he wants to drive "a culture change" where the NHS is always looking for and embracing "the best possible technology". | |
| Earlier this month the government unveiled a new NHS mobile app that would allow patients to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and see their medical files. | Earlier this month the government unveiled a new NHS mobile app that would allow patients to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and see their medical files. |
| Addressing NHS staff concerns, he pledged to champion the workforce and announced a consultation exercise on workforce issues. | |
| The British Medical Association has said GPs are leaving the profession at an increasing rate due to feeling undervalued which is fuelling a crisis in the sector. | The British Medical Association has said GPs are leaving the profession at an increasing rate due to feeling undervalued which is fuelling a crisis in the sector. |
| Mr Hancock also called for an end to the "over-prescription of unsophisticated drugs", focusing instead on approaches that address a person's physical and mental well-being. | |
| 'Sorely let down' | 'Sorely let down' |
| Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said patients would feel "sorely let down" that reducing waiting lists "isn't the first priority of the new health secretary". | Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said patients would feel "sorely let down" that reducing waiting lists "isn't the first priority of the new health secretary". |
| "Investment in technology is welcome but years of Tory austerity has seen hospitals build up a £5bn repair backlog, resulting in clinicians nationwide using hundreds of pieces of equipment that are years out of date, as recently revealed by Labour. | "Investment in technology is welcome but years of Tory austerity has seen hospitals build up a £5bn repair backlog, resulting in clinicians nationwide using hundreds of pieces of equipment that are years out of date, as recently revealed by Labour. |
| "And commitments to prevention will ring hollow without reversing the substantial cuts to public health budgets, which are set to reach £800m by 2020/21." | "And commitments to prevention will ring hollow without reversing the substantial cuts to public health budgets, which are set to reach £800m by 2020/21." |
| Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning | Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning |
| Mr Hancock takes on the job of health secretary as the NHS develops its 10-year plan. | Mr Hancock takes on the job of health secretary as the NHS develops its 10-year plan. |
| Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to increase health spending by £20bn a year in real terms by 2024. | Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to increase health spending by £20bn a year in real terms by 2024. |