Theresa May tells NHS boss he will be accountable for winter performance

[Northerner]

Theresa May has made NHS boss Simon Stevens personally responsible for ensuring the health service does not end up in a crisis this winter, amid renewed tension between him and ministers.

The prime minister told Stevens that he would be held accountable for how well hospitals and GP services in England cope at a tense, previously unreported, meeting at Downing Street in September.

Allies of the NHS England chief executive fear he is being lined up as “the fall guy” if a surge in seasonal illness this winter leaves hospitals struggling to meet sudden extra demand for care.

Relations between May and Stevens, who was appointed by David Cameron, have become increasingly strained. Last week the NHS chief executive launched an attack on government underfunding at a conference and said the service should receive the extra £350m a week promised by Leave campaigners in the EU referendum.

https://www.theguardian.com/society...ill-be-accountable-for-nhs-winter-performance

 

[Amigo]

Talk about being handed the ‘poison chalice’ job. She must really want rid of him because with under funding, the writing is on the wall for the outcome 🙄

 

[Northerner]

It's a ludicrous thing to say when it is surely the Minister who is responsible for ensuring proper funding and resources are made available

 

[trophywench]

Well the Minister is always NOMINALLY responsible of course - but if the ruddy 'Treasurer' (Chancellor of the Exchequer) won't hand over enough dosh so he can damn well do his job properly - I really don't think anyone can blame him personally.

Theresa May better instantly stop people being ill and having accidents if she wants that. What's she doing towards that?

 

[mikeyB]

I agree with Northerner. It’s Hunt’s head that should be on the block. It’s on his watch that the NHS has come to this.