What is in Thérèse Coffey’s new NHS plan?

Key details from the launch of our plan for patients' by the health and social care secretary

What is the new NHS plan?
The first Commons statement by Therese Coffey since taking up the post of health and social care secretary on 6 September was used to launch our plan for patients". The package of measures is aimed at addressing the deepening crisis in the NHS in England, especially the long delays patients can face when seeking ambulance, GP or accident and emergency care, a hospital bed or surgery. It was drawn up in response to the new prime minister, Liz Truss, identifying the NHS as one of her three early priorities". It is intended to reduce the risk of already overstretched services collapsing this winter amid a potential double whammy of flu and a Covid-19 resurgence.

What did Coffey announce?
She said she will be a champion" for patients and have a relentless focus on measures that affect most people's experience of the NHS and social care", especially long waits. Her speech included some new initiatives but also referenced many policies already in place. The move that got the most attention was her expectation" that anyone seeking a GP appointment should get one within two weeks - currently 15% of patients do not - and that family doctors need to give the sickest patients on-the-day slots. However, GP leaders and health policy experts said the shortage of family doctors would make both those ambitions hard to deliver.