The RCP has issued a briefing to MPs ahead of the King's Speech.
This first King’s Speech following the general election is a vital opportunity to set out the bold action needed across workforce, prevention, research and sustainability to improve the health of the nation and ensure patients can access excellent NHS care.
- With waiting lists in England at 7.6 million, workforce is central to ensuring the NHS can deliver care now and in future. We support government in its commitment to deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (LTWP) and plans to expand medical school and foundation places – but with 47% of UK consultant physicians reporting in the 2023 RCP census that enjoyment in their job had decreased in the last year, retention must be a priority for the government.
- Reducing health inequalities and avoidable illness is key to reducing avoidable demand on the NHS, ensuring it is fit for the future and improving the nation’s health and productivity. We welcome the government’s manifesto committed to tackle the social determinants of health and halve the gap in healthy life expectancy. The introduction of a Mission Delivery Board on the social determinants of health will be vital to deliver these pledges by tackling what makes us ill in the first place.
- We urge government to reintroduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
- We encourage government to bring forward the necessary statutory instrument to deliver rapid implementation of the ban on the advertising of high fat, salt and sugar foods before the watershed to protect children’s health.
- The climate crisis is the biggest global threat to health. Ensuring a robust and credible pathway for reaching the UK’s emission reduction targets must be a priority for the new government.
For more information, contact Jacob Hayes (Jacob.Hayes@rcp.ac.uk), senior public affairs and policy manager.