Wes Streeting's 22 months as health secretary were marked by relentless media interviews and press releases portraying him as a dynamic reformer. He repeatedly declared the NHS 'on the road to recovery' after inheriting a 'broken' service from the Conservatives. In his resignation letter, he highlighted surpassed targets for planned hospital treatment, fastest ambulance response times in five years, and improving A&E waits.
However, critics argue this was a selective reflection. There was no mention of failing urgent cancer treatment targets, or reviews into maternity care, mental health, and social care that will not report until 2028. Sarah Woolnough of the King's Fund said there was 'lots of good policy' but lack of focus on implementation. A former NHS executive said Streeting had 'no detailed plan' for transformation despite being shadow health secretary.
One hospital trust chief executive was blunt: 'Wes talked a lot … but not effective.' They credited NHS England chief Jim Mackey for any progress. A Labour MP who worked in the NHS accused Streeting of being more interested in headlines and fights with doctors than improving patient outcomes, adding that the NHS is no more accessible than two years ago.
Streeting's achievements include the Tobacco and Vapes Act, a ban on junk food advertising before 9pm, and a 10-year health plan lacking implementation detail. The King's Fund's Siva Anandaciva noted he faced a difficult inheritance: a stagnant economy, post-Covid recovery, industrial action, and a febrile environment.
