Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has pledged to transform the NHS into the world leader in elderly care, in his first major speech since taking office. Addressing the Conservative Party conference, Mr Hunt called for a cultural shift within the health service to prioritise the needs of older patients.
Mr Hunt, whose parents worked for the NHS, praised doctors and nurses as 'unsung heroes' but insisted the service must be 'honest about failure'. He cited cases of neglect at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, East Surrey Hospital, and care homes as examples of unacceptable care that would no longer be tolerated.
The Health Secretary criticised Labour for claiming a 'monopoly on compassion', asserting that the NHS belongs to no single party. He also paid tribute to his predecessor Andrew Lansley, saying he wanted to build on structural reforms to improve the culture of care.
Mr Hunt warned managers they would be held personally accountable for the standard of care in their establishments, drawing a parallel with financial mismanagement. The government is also considering a cap on care costs for the elderly, as part of wider reforms.
