Wes Streeting’s tenure as health secretary has drawn sharp criticism from NHS experts and MPs, who accuse him of prioritising media appearances over tangible reform. Despite declaring the NHS “on the road to recovery” six months ago, opponents argue his record is selective, highlighting improvements in some waiting times while ignoring persistent failures in cancer care and mental health services.
Streeting’s resignation letter to Keir Starmer cited achievements such as the fastest drop in planned treatment waiting times since 2008 and the best ambulance response times for strokes in five years. However, critics note that urgent cancer treatment targets remain unmet, and multiple reviews into maternity care, mental health, and social care have been commissioned without clear action. The King’s Fund chief executive Sarah Woolnough warned that while policy documents have proliferated, implementation of the government’s 10-year health plan has lagged.
A former NHS executive described Streeting as unprepared for translating rhetoric into reality, stating he “had absolutely no detailed plan” for transforming the health service. An NHS trust chief executive was blunter, saying “Wes talked a lot … but not effective,” crediting NHS England chief Jim Mackey for any progress. A Labour MP with NHS experience accused Streeting of being “more interested in chasing headlines” than improving patient outcomes, adding that the service is no more accessible than two years ago.
Streeting can claim successes such as the Tobacco and Vapes Act, a ban on junk food advertising before 9pm, and a 10-year health plan based on “three big shifts”. The King’s Fund’s Siva Anandaciva acknowledged he faced a difficult hand, including a post-Covid recovery and industrial action. Yet the verdict from many remains that Streeting “told a good story” but failed to deliver the fundamental change the NHS urgently needs.
