UK NHS crisis: PM Rishi Sunak holds meeting to address health service issues. Top points

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is holding a crucial meeting with ministers, and health experts to resolve the NHS crisis and other issues plaguing the health service. The NHS "recovery forum" has been hosted in 10 Downing Street amidst the crisis witnessed during the ongoing winter.

1. The focus is on emergency, elective and primary care, social care and delayed discharge.

2. PM Sunak's office said the meeting was held to delve into practical solutions and knowledge into tackle challenges in both social and health care.


3. However, NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor has claimed that meeting won't be able to fix the issues.

4. Senior doctors have already warned of the pathetic condition of NHS this winter. Long queues of ambulances were witnessed.

5. Rising cases of flu and Covid along with tussle between the government and nursing and ambulance unions have severely impacted the service.


Nursing and ambulance unions are set to go for strike later in January. Pat Cullen, the chief of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), had said she would meet the government over pay demands.

The UK government has invited unions for talks as health secretary Steve Barclay has assured of a dialogue.

Earlier during his first big speech of the year, PM Sunak had pointed out NHS as one of his priorities.

Opposition Labour has said that patients deserve more than dialogue. Liberal Democrats also said that PM Sunak must take steps in urgent manner to resolve the unprecedented NHS crisis.

FAQs:

1. What is NHS "recovery forum"?
   UK PM Rishi Sunak is hosting the NHS "recovery forum" in Downing Street.
2. What is full form NHS?
   NHS in the UK stands for the National Health Service (NHS).