The King’s Fund responds to the resignation of Wes Streeting MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Responding to Wes Streeting MP's resignation as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, said:  

'Wes Streeting's near 700 days as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care have been eventful. His very first announcement would set the tone for his 'move fast and break things' approach declaring that 'from today, the policy of this department is that the NHS is broken'. He has not stuck around long enough to fix it, but he can point to some areas of progress.

'The elective care waiting list has started to come down, a 10 Year Plan for the health service has been created that if properly implemented would improve patient outcomes, there has been a strong commitment to give more control to patients and design services around them, and the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Act will be remembered as a truly transformative piece of legislation that will have a measurable impact on the health of the nation for decades to come.

'However, in terms of legacy, while we have seen many policy announcements, we haven’t seen this flow through to implementation in several areas. Streeting is also responsible for setting the wheels in motion for the largest NHS restructure in over a decade. Reorganisation is a tightrope many former health secretaries have tried to walk, often falling from it, frustrating their attempts to improve performance and distracting NHS staff from delivering care.

‘Similar warnings have been made about this plan, and it remains to be seen whether the upheaval is worth the pain, or whether it will deliver any real benefit for patients.

'A change of Secretary of State is a big deal no matter the circumstance, but on the day after a King's Speech which included the legislation required to restructure the health service, the potential ramifications are even more acute.

'Each political leader is different from the last, with their own focus and priorities which shape where the Department expends its energy. Whomever steps into the role will face some immediate choices. Do they continue with the Health Bill in its current form – which will dominate their day-to-day job as Health and Social Care Secretary? Who do they appoint as the next NHS chief executive and what qualities are they looking for? Do they keep the same timetable for the Casey Commission or ask it to speed up?

'These are decisions that will shape the health and care system for years to come and ones the incoming Secretary of State will have to grip quickly if they are to make a success of it.'

Notes to editors