- Rachel Reeves has pledged a £6bn investment to accelerate NHS tests and treatments, following substantial budget increases.
- The funding aims to provide new scanners, ambulances, and urgent treatment centres, delivering up to four million more tests and procedures in five years.
- This investment supports the government's goal of reducing NHS waiting lists in England, with Labour aiming for 92 per cent of routine operations to be carried out within 18 weeks.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the investment will generate millions more diagnostic tests, scans, and procedures, building on 3.6 million extra elective care appointments already delivered.
- Health leaders are sceptical, with Matthew Taylor of the NHS Confederation warning that the £29bn increase may not cover rising costs and guarantee waiting time targets, while Sarah Woolnough of the King’s Fund questions how all NHS needs can be met with this settlement alone.
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