Before chairing a debate on the future of the NHS, Stuart Andrew, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care opened proceedings by saying 👇:
When I took on this job as Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care I did so in the knowledge that we have a huge challenge.
Because even though we all in this Hall have been treated by our NHS
And Some of our families and friends’ lives have been saved by our NHS.
We all also have something else in common.
As members of the Conservative family, we’ve all been accused of wanting to undermine the core principles of our National Health Service,
So let me clear from the outset, the National Health Service will always be free at the point of use under the next Conservative Government.
And we’ll strengthen it, harness it and make it even better.
Because I’ve seen what our health services in this country do everyday for people,
Before becoming an MP, I worked in the hospice movement and saw the wonderful services they provide to children and adults across the country.
When families face the most challenging times in their lives, our hospice movement and the NHS is there to support them.
Always.
But let’s look at what this Labour Government has done in 14 months.
Strikes despite huge pay rises that Wes Streeting signed off on.
Remember when he told us to ‘get around the table?’ Well perhaps he should listen to his own advice.
Because more strikes are threatened.
And remember when they criticised NHS reorganisation plan, well they have now started a reorganisation without any funding allocated to deliver it.
Now I’m not against reforming our NHS, conference, the Conservatives always back good reforms, but we are a party that always makes sure we have the money to pay for it and the will to deliver it.
Because our NHS staff need certainty, certainty to do the job that they love with stability,
And a clear direction from their government.
But conference I also want to be constructive in opposition, where Government seeks to bring about meaningful and effective reform we will not oppose for the sake of opposition.
We will look at the detail. We will ask the difficult questions and where we can agree we will be constructive.
Because at the end of the day we want a NHS that works for the patient
It was in that spirit that in my first week in this job I attended the cross-party talks on the future of social care.
For too long governments of both colours have failed to address the increasing demands on social care,
Which is putting strain on NHS budgets, local government budgets and the personal budgets of families across the country.
We will engage in these talks in the spirit of seeking a genuine long-term solution.
It’s not going to be easy, but I believe it’s the right to sit down and talk to find the areas where we can agree.
My vision is simple: a health and care system where patients are in control, staff are valued, and innovation is harnessed to save lives and improve wellbeing.
This isn’t about ideology, it’s about outcomes. Whether you are a patient waiting for surgery, a carer looking after a loved one, or a nurse working a night shift, what matters is not the politics, it’s whether the system delivers.
And I am ably assisted in this task with a fantastic shadow health and social care team, who have real experience in the sectors. Thank you to Dr Caroline Johnson, Dr Luke Evans, Lord Kamal, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst and Greg Stafford.
Now, clearly, we as a party are embarking on a major policy renewal programme, and today, for what is I think the first time ever, you will have an opportunity to vote on what you think should be the key priorities of the next Conservative Government.
To help in that task I’m delighted to be joined by Lord Markham CBE, who will be advocating that we need to use technology to build a truly 21st century national health service.
Dr Kartik Kavi, who is a GP who will argue we need to get patients out of hospitals and into primary care.
Former Olympic Swimmer Sharron Davies who will make the case for prevention being better than cure
And Dr Robert Kilgour who is the founder of the social care foundation who will argue for reform of our social care system.
Before I call our first speaker, please scan the QR code on the screen so that you can download the app and you can take part in that vote.
You can watch Stuart's remarks and the full discussion that followed using the link below 👇
After Stuart Andrew opened proceedings, four medical experts debated their policy proposals for the NHS. Members voted, and in a tight vote opted for the "Prevention is better than cure" motion proposed by Sharon Davies.
