Wes Streeting hasn't ruled out fines for missed NHS appointments (Image: Getty)
Wes Streeting has said he is "open-minded" to fining people who miss NHS appointments. Figures from the NHS show around eight million hospital appointments are missed annually, representing about one in 15 and costing the health service over ￡1billion per year.
Mr Streeting told Times Radio he wasn't considering fines for no-shows currently, but if the problem were to persist in the future he would be "open-minded" to the idea.
He said: "At this stage it’s not something I’m looking at doing, but once we’ve got the system working effectively - if we still have this problem of missed appointments - then I might be more open-minded."
The Health Secretary said he wanted to "fix" the reasons the NHS "causes" people to miss appointments and improve how patients choose and book appointments.
When former prime minister Rishi Sunak ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party in 2022, he said he would introduce ￡10 fines for missed NHS and GP appointments, but that idea was ditched.
READ MORE Keir Starmer poised to sack Louise Haigh in Cabinet reshuffle after P&O row
Get the latest politics news straight to your phone Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Rishi Sunak ditched a plan to fine patients ￡10 for missed GP and NHS appointments (Image: Getty)
Mr Streeting insisted on Sunday (October 20) that the Labour Government has "hit the ground running" when it comes to improving the NHS.
He told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the Government has already ended the junior doctors' strikes and has got 1,000 more GPs onto the front line.
A ban on junk food advertising targeted at children, the Smoking Bill and a Mental Health Bill "that's also ready to go" were also hailed as progress by the health secretary.
He added: "We have hit the ground running and certainly in the aftermath of the Budget as well, when we're publishing our elective recovery plan, people will see not only how we deliver the 40,000 more appointments every week that we promised, but also do it in a way that is more productive and gets better outcomes for patients and better value for taxpayers."
Don't miss...
DWP to get new power to take money from your bank or wages [REVEALED]
Rachel Reeves changed hair to ditch iron chancellor look, insiders say [REPORT]
'Kemi Badenoch must win the Conservative Party leadership race' [COMMENT]
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Wes Streeting held up Labour's bringing the junior doctors' strike to an end as a sign of progress (Image: Getty)
Trending
Pushed on whether there have been any extra appointments of the 40,000 promised by Labour at the election, Mr Streeting told the BBC the Government is "ramping up".
Asked when the target would be met, Mr Streeting said he would confirm in a year's time whether the Government has met it.
He said in a matter of days a crack team of clinicians will be heading into hospitals where there are high waiting lists as well as people off work to bring the numbers down.
The NHS has been reported to be in line for a real-terms budget increase when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces her spending plans on October 30, although Government sources have said suggestions of a 3-4 percent increase are not accurate.
Health policy experts have suggested such an increase would be necessary to deliver on Labour's plans to improve the NHS and bring waiting lists down.
Saffron Cordery, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers, also said more funding would be needed to deliver the Government's plan.
She said: "Trust leaders will work with the Government to get to grips with the challenges facing health and social care and to deliver improvements. They know the NHS needs to work differently and go further and faster to improve care for patients.
"However, this must go hand-in-hand with sustainable funding and investment, particularly for capital, an end to chronic workforce shortages and more support to meet growing demand, not just in hospitals but across mental health, community and ambulance services too."