The NHS doesn’t need Reform UK

The NHS doesn't require the current proposed changes from the main political parties. None of these solutions will help the NHS in the long run. Lucy Nichols from Reform UK believes that the NHS doesn't need these reforms.

The Labour Party believes that the NHS requires changes, but they have not promised sufficient funding or ruled out the possibility of more private sector involvement. The Conservative Party's track record with the NHS is poor, as shown by their empty pledge to increase the use of artificial intelligence.

The Keep Our NHS Public organization has consistently argued that the NHS does not require such 'reform', but rather, should go back to its original principles of providing healthcare for all.

Another type of change that the NHS definitely doesn't want is the Reform UK Party led by Nigel Farage.

What is Reform's stance on the National Health Service (NHS)?

Reform UK asserts that the NHS in the UK is not functioning properly and they are the only ones who can make it better. Their "Contract" document, which outlines their plans, only dedicates a small amount of space to their ideas for the National Health Service.

They say they will address the problem of keeping staff in their jobs not by making pay and working conditions better, but by eliminating income tax for NHS workers and giving money from the government to private companies to help lessen the burden on public health services. They would also lower taxes for private healthcare providers, introduce a voucher program so individuals can choose private care if they have been waiting too long for NHS treatment.

They reiterate the belief that a major issue within the NHS is its bloated bureaucracy and plan to reduce the number of 'excessive managers' and eliminate 'wasteful spending', such as by getting rid of the NHS Race and Health Observatory.

They also propose allocating £17 billion over the next five years towards the NHS, but their claim that they will finance it by reducing government spending by £50 billion and lowering taxes on nearly everything seems unrealistic.

In reality, Reform UK doesn't provide any substantial plans to improve the quality of life for people in the UK.

Farage is pretending to care about the NHS to manipulate people's worries, but in reality, only wealthy individuals like him will profit from Reform's success in elections.

Furthermore, Reform UK is inconsistent in their stance on migrants and asylum seekers, blaming them for issues caused by past Conservative and coalition administrations. They also contradict themselves when discussing migrants employed in the NHS.

One side acknowledges that the NHS relies heavily on immigrants for its workforce. While they propose a complete ban on non-essential immigration, this does not include those coming to work in healthcare. They also insist that all migrants should contribute towards healthcare costs and promise to eliminate 'health tourism', which goes against our stance of abolishing all charges for migrants.

Many people are quick to point fingers at migrants for the pressure on public services and are confident in proposing that reducing immigration will decrease waiting times in the NHS. However, it is important to note that there are currently 7.5 million people waiting for NHS care, which is more than the number of immigrants in the UK. The net migration figure in 2023 was 685,000 and is even smaller in 2024.

In reality, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers do not endanger the NHS. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Reform UK's efforts to fault immigrants for public service issues are not only inaccurately based, but also seem to be pushing biased beliefs to explain all the problems in 'Broken Britain.'

The NHS is facing a critical situation due to decisions made by previous governments that have reduced funding for the NHS, rather than supporting its success. The private sector has also been allowed to weaken NHS services over time. Keep Our NHS Public is calling for a complete reinstatement of the original NHS vision created by Nye Bevan in 1948. This includes a publicly funded NHS that is accessible to everyone in need, whenever they need it.

Racism has no place in supporting the NHS. Reform UK contends that the NHS is not adequate, but it is the discriminatory views of Reform UK that are unsuitable for public service.