The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has issued a briefing to MPs ahead of the debate today on the Queen’s Speech ‘Making Britain the best place to grow up and grow old’.
The Queen’s Speech on 10 May set out the government’s legislative programme for the new parliamentary session. It reiterated that ‘supporting the NHS to clear the COVID-19 backlogs’ is one of government’s ‘top priorities’ alongside growing the economy and safer streets.
Parliament will now debate the Queen’s Speech on 16, 17 and 18 May in the House of Commons. The RCP has issued a briefing to MPs for the debate on 16 May on ‘Making Britain the best place to grow up and grow old’.
This briefing welcomes the government’s commitment to reducing backlogs but notes that workforce will be the limiting factor in reducing waiting lists and sustainably providing care in the long-term. It calls for investment in the NHS and social care workforce to ensure there are enough healthcare staff to meet rising demand.
It says:
- The NHS workforce strategy due later this year must set out a range of short- and long-term solutions – including expanding the number of medical school places – to grow, train, and retain a healthcare workforce that can meet current and future demand to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NHS.
- Tackling health inequalities should be central to the levelling up agenda to make Britain the best place to grow up and grow old. The Inequalities in Health Alliance, convened by the RCP, is calling for government to develop a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities.
