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 1 Version 2
Low NHS morale is 'heartbreaking' says Matt Hancock Low NHS morale is 'heartbreaking' says Matt Hancock
(about 7 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. In his first speech since taking the job, Mr Hancock said he was 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.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. 'Tech transformation coming'
The remaining £75m will be put towards replacing paper systems with electronic ones - a move which, it is hoped, will reduce medication errors. Of the money pledged, £412m will be used to improve technology in hospitals and to give more patients access to health services at home.
Last week it was revealed that some hospitals are still reliant on fax machines. The remaining £75m will be put towards replacing paper systems with electronic ones - a move intended to reduce medication errors.
It comes after it was revealed last week 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."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". Mr Hancock also spoke about his love for the NHS, which he credited with saving his sister's life after she had a horse-riding accident.
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. Professional rider Emily Gilruth, 41, was in a coma for four days after she fell and hit her head while competing at Badminton Horse Trials in May last year.
Addressing NHS staff concerns, he pledged to champion the workforce and announced a consultation exercise on workforce issues. Speaking publicly about the accident for the first time, Mr Hancock said: "Last summer my sister sustained a very severe head injury. It was touch and go and her life was saved by the intensive care unit at Bristol's Southmead Hospital, where she stayed for a week, most of it in a coma.
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. "Thanks to their care she has now recovered."
He added: "I love my sister and the NHS saved her life, so when I say I love the NHS, I really mean it."
Addressing NHS staff concerns, Mr Hancock pledged to champion the workforce and announced a consultation exercise on workforce issues.
The British Medical Association has previously said that GPs are leaving the profession at an increasing rate due to feeling undervalued, 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.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 morningGet 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.