Labour’s commitment to the New Hospitals Programme has been welcomed by the Society of Radiographers, which has emphasised the importance of capital investment.
A pledge to build 40 hospitals by 2030, made by Boris Johnson in 2019, will be upheld if the Labour party are victorious at the next General Election, the party has said.
After initial reports that Labour would 'rebrand' the project if it wins power at the General Election on 4 July, Labour leader Keir Starmer has now confirmed that his party will commit to the rebuild programme.
'Crumbling infrastructure'
The Society of Radiographers has nonetheless welcomed its pledge to honour the government programme to build hospitals in areas where they are needed.
Dean Rogers, director of industrial strategy for the SoR, explained that officers for the Society have been speaking to Labour politicians about the challenges facing the NHS.
“It’s encouraging to see that they understand the importance of prioritising the NHS,” he said. “Increased capital investment is needed to address the NHS’s crumbling infrastructure, and to ensure that acute hospital departments are efficient and effective when it comes to meeting the increasing demands being placed on them. Capital investment is also vital in order to replace or renew ageing equipment, including scanners.”
Equal commitment to investment in the NHS workforce will be needed too, Mr Rogers warned.
He added: “Unless we close the gap between supply of staff and the known rise in demand, waiting lists will continue to grow.
“There is no single magic wand we can wave to solve the crisis facing the NHS – significant investment is needed if the UK is once again to have a world-class health service.”
'Fully staffed'
Labour has pledged further to introduce two million new appointments every year and double the number of scanners used in the NHS.
Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: “We’ll bring down the waiting list. And that means we can invest in England in the NHS, 40,000 appointments each and every week. What a difference that will make.”
The SoR is calling for all political parties to support its Radiography Manifesto to ensure NHS departments are fully staffed, and that patients receive the care they need, when they need it.
(Image: Keir Starmer at the first head-to-head debate by Jonathan Hordle - ITV via Getty Images)