The Government launched ‘NHS Week’ in August in an effort to persuade the public they care about our NHS. 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s big announcement was the creation of 900 new NHS beds in time for a dire winter crisis – a crisis of his own Government’s making. 

He’s obviously hoping that we will have forgotten his promise back in January 2023, of 800 new ambulances, including 100 specialist mental health vehicles, and 5,000 more sustainable hospital beds backed by a £1 billion dedicated fund.

He’s also hoping we’ll have forgotten we’ve lost at least 12,000 beds  during the last 13 years of consecutive Conservative party Governments. ‘NHS Week’ is quite simply a farce.  

Sunak’s announcements were met with widespread derision, and RCN chief Pat Cullen said: “The elephant in the room is who will staff these additional beds? Nursing staff are already spread too thinly over too many patients.”

As the winter crisis approaches – we demand real investment, respect for all health and care staff and a commitment to drive the private sector out of the NHS now. 

Find out more on KeepOurNHSPublic.

Photo by Adhy Savala on Unsplash