Gordon Brown launches NHS review
4 October 2007
The Prime Minister has launched the NHS Next Stage Review in a speech in London, setting out the Government's vision for the future of the health service.
The interim report, Delivering high quality care for all, was released at today's launch. It stresses the importance of innovation within the NHS and includes a proposal to set aside up to £100m to fund the development of hi-tech healthcare.
Speaking to an audience of clinicians, Mr Brown said it was "not only right but essential'' to review the NHS for the coming decade and "make sure it is the best it can be".
He said:
"The British people want an NHS that is there for them when they need it, at the time that they want, with the doctors they want, and the choices that they themselves want to make. So renewing the NHS is my most immediate priority in the job that I hold.
"Our vision of the NHS is an NHS that not only provides a personal service that is organised around the needs of the patients but one that is pioneering new cures for the future.''
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said that the report was based on "evidence of good practice" and its recommendations would help the NHS become "world class in all respects". Mr Johnson announced a number of measures on the back of the report's publication, including providing better out-of-hours access to GPs and the building of 100 new GP practices.
Lord Darzi, author of the report, said that his vision of the future of healthcare should be one that is "developed and owned by patients, staff and public together". The final part of the Our NHS, Our Future review will be released in spring next year, he said.
Archive of PM's speeches