Meet the man tasked with fixing the NHS | Wes Streeting

[@sluglife9785]

The fact that Rory gives a shit about the condition of prisoners tells you that he's ultimately an ethical man. And his response that he would prioritise prisons over schools really sells me. Because yes, a bad school is a shame, but a bad prison is a horror. Honestly, I'm a straight man, but hearing him standing up for the imprisoned man makes me fall in love with him a bit.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

I do hope the current Labour ministers will keep coming on the podcasts and speak to their actions and progress. I really hope this isn't just a pre-election spike.

[@worcestermark]

The bar is so low after the last lot though isn't it?. Plus they have some crap clearing to do from the mess left for them.

[@VinceLammas]

Streeting's basic diagnosis of the systemic challenges facing the Health and Social Care environment seems very accurate. The changes he describes as necessary to address the problems also seem to be correct and persuasive. I haven't seen this interview until after the election and the news that Wes Streeting is our new Government's Health Minister. This gives me the hope and confidence I have been looking for about the future of our public services.

[@simac3880]

He's pretty bloody brilliant. Straight up (in the political sense!) - doesn't avoid questions, provides solid ideas, argues them rationally and truthfully, and has no reliance on catch-phrases. He's the antithesis of the Tory's who've appeared on this program.

[@Bfg12327]

He doesn’t have a clue on NHS. Sorry, speaking as a doctor I’m not convinced anything will change. And I find him a polished politician rather than a clever individual.

[@DanielMumby]

Really refreshing to hear someone speak so candidly about the struggle between being Christian and being gay, and showing that they aren't mutually exclusive :)

[@Maya-uq7tc]

which makes it so frustrating when he attacks trans woman using the same anti-gay stereotypes

[@louduva9849]

Christianity is pretty gay, tbf.

[@danielkarmy4893]

@@Maya-uq7tc Oh no. I was really starting to like him too.

[@Xenophenous]

Wes talked about his struggles with his sexuality, and the damage that it causes when someone is forced to face the consequences of having to live as someone that they're not. I wholeheartedly agree with him on this point. So why has he said today that he wants to make the ban on puberty blockers permanent? Does he not think this damage is also experienced by trans kids? The consequences of the ban are clear; 1 trans kid suicide in the 7 years before the ban, and 16 in the 3 years after it. The policy is killing trans kids because they cannot face the anguish of going through a puberty that contradicts their gender identity, and if they make it though puberty are then left with greater challenges in transitioning as an adult which puts further strain on the NHS, and the number of suicides will rise. The common arguments against puberty blockers are not supported by the science. Even the Cass report, which strongly scrutinises puberty blockers in spite of the science, does not recommend an outright ban. Is Wes comfortable having the blood of trans kids on his hands, because "I'm alright, Jack"? If so, then he is a despicable stain on the LGBTQ+ community and he should be ashamed of himself.

[@danielkarmy4893]

Thank you for being another voice refusing to be silent on this. I naively thought this individual had a heart. He does - but it is made of solid stone. It isn't the LGBQ+ community Wes, it's LGBTQ+. I don't give a damn what his religion tells him to believe about that. If there were such a thing as official membership...I'd vote for him to be cast into the wilderness in a heartbeat. He's not one of ours, he's on his own.

[@Xenophenous]

@@danielkarmy4893 The only hope left in my view is that a number of Labour MPs have publicly come out against the ban, and that the ban is "pending further investigation", hopefully an investigation that will actually look at the experiences of trans people and the expertise of trans healthcare experts. I do still believe that on the whole, Kier's cabinet is made up of good people that have the experience, beliefs, and qualifications to enact real positive change. Wes sticks out like a sore thumb in that regard.

[@sara-jayn]

What he’s done is nothing short of evil. It’s one thing to ban them ignorance with bad people advising you. It’s another to know for a fact that cass is a lie and he will cause suffering. It’s evil.

[@gillianmurphy756]

It is refreshing to finally hear a politician recognising the money is disproportionately going to the wrong parts of the NHS i.e hospitals and the need to shift the focus to prevention. I totally agree. However, there seems to be such narrow understanding of all the range of community services. It is not just primary care that needs the shift in funding to deliver a peventative health model. Community services which deliver rehabilitation specialists such as Occupational therapists and physiotherapists etc are key to helping people build more independent and healthy lives. We need to move away from a purely medical model and thinking GP's have the skills to deliver the preventative health care that is needed for the future.

[@macsmiffy2197]

Totally agree.

[@samlight95]

Agree. What’s really strange… I have been in the NHS for 7 years now. When I joined in 2017, there was a strong narrative then, in the hospital trust that I worked for at the time, that resources needed to be moved away from hospitals, to communities, to preventative and population health. Now granted that Trust I worked for then was a particularly forward thinking Trust with a Chief Exec who had been seconded nationally in a very senior role, and he just got it. That being said, I find it weird that the NHS “gets this” in the club as well, and yet it hasn’t tangibly moved any closer to this goal.

[@kateleslie9894]

These comments are hilarious- constantly varying from a surprising liking of Wes to a frustrated message about Rory’s podcast demeanor. I thought Wes was refreshing, personable and honest. I have to say his background is very interesting and I think it was good that they focused on this. I think Rory should be given some grace in that he’s just trying to bring the heat to the Labour candidates who else while have had a pretty easy campaign.

[@22RAANA22]

Im quite certain that prisons are in an absolutely disgusting state, but if you were to work in the NHS for a while you would say that the NHS was the same.

[@chriswetherall5517]

I met Wes when i was at University on a labour students getaway. He was a star then absolutely brilliant

[@heliotropezzz333]

Starmer did focus on prisons after the election. He probably thought it would not be popular to focus on it before.

[@christopherhutchinson6101]

I had a brother-in-law who worked in a postoffice and he had three guns at different times put in his face, he suffered with serious mental health problems brought on by this, and never really got over them.

[@CloudhoundCoUk]

Excellent podcast. Please more like this. Thank you.

[@usefulandkindunlimited2678]

This is one of your best interviews yet - thank you. Authentic, intelligent, transparent. The grown ups are back in the room.

[@twelvebears1971]

This was a great interview. I’m not gay and I don’t believe in god but I really like Wes and love his openness and honesty.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Can people stop complaining about interuption? When hosts / listeners are really interested, attending, curious and engaged they are full of burning questions. Some of these podcasts have gone off on un-useful tangents. Pelosi is a case in point. Rory's job is to hold space, keep things on track, clarify context and explain some of the historical background.

[@janohara6995]

Primary Care includes dentistry. It is the most effective way to identify early indicators of ill health and sign posting to resolution. The second most important thing is getting strategic planning back in the system. Some iteration of strategic health authorities would make all the difference.

[@Roosterz443]

fascinating childhood and family to come from. Always interesting to hear the real stories of politicians

[@enemywithin1295]

I know Rory doesn’t want to admit it, but in a time of economic downturn if any party, ESPECIALLY Labour, came out and said “we’re going to rejuvenate prisons and focus on rehabilitation etc in the style of the Nordic states” their support would absolutely plummet.

[@mahoganyk]

Every interview the comments section is full of people criticising either rory or Alastair for how they interview the guests, depending on whether its a labor or conservative politician. Yall need to chill out

[@alisonpayton3097]

Such a shame this was cut short, so he couldn't really get into the nitty gritty, but I absolutely loved listening to him talk. A refreshingly open and colourful character.

[@jimduncan6478]

Rory, Please let the guest answer a question before challenging them and/or making another point of your own.

[@kicorse]

I'm agnostic myself, but I thought Wes Streeting was great on the topic of religion. He's right that being openly Christian is risky for a British politician, more so than being openly gay (at least for someone on the left or centre). Of course it doesn't compare to the Islamophobia that's rife in our society, but it's a significant enough issue that he's doing good just by being a calm and sensible voice.

[@andrewharrison7767]

look at the previous snp leadership campaign - Media coverage of Kate Forbe's personal religious opinion cost her the win; despite saying she'd never suggest repealing equal marriage (it would never clear Holyrood anyway)

[@martincheeseman5809]

Well done sir

[@glyngreen538]

Incidental point but is it really accurate to still describe the UK as a Christian country nowadays? Less than half the population are Christian and we have one the highest percentages of atheist and agnostic people in the world.

[@davidbotterill4442]

I guess it depends how you look at it. If you watched the King's coronation, you watched a clearly Christian event.

[@martincheeseman5809]

Well don Wes keep going!

[@christopherhutchinson6101]

Money has allways been tight when it commes to prisons but if we do not do something with prisons and justice system needs to be looked at and at least start to get it sorted.

[@XxJack893xX]

Hopefully can improve junior doctor pay.

[@BallyBoy95]

Jealous of Ilford, they got a solid Labour Candidate.

[@BallyBoy95]

I have to say, I'm sadly dissapointed. I was so happy to see a religious Christian candidate that is polite, kind and tolerant. But I just saw Wes Streeting's stories of him bullying Diane Abbott and telling a random Ilford voter he couldn't give a damn about Palestine. My goodness. Why is everyone so intolerant and hateful these days?

[@sue1528]

Good interview. I would agree with WS re. funding of prisons. Yes, they may be in a terrible state, but as WS pointed out re NHS, funding priority needs to focus on prevention - ie on childs early years, schooling, parenting & supporting services in hope of preventing crime. When resources are limited, put them right back at the start of life rather than when it's all gone wrong

[@danielkarmy4893]

The more LGBT+ representation in the House, the better - and Wes does seem like a genuine bloke whose heart is in pretty much the right place, that is to say, trying to do good by the people he is elected to represent. However, he has literally stated that Labour would ban trans women from women's hospital wards, among other things; that is gravely concerning for anybody who has a conscience. The attempted eradication of trans women (or at the very least, relegation to second-class citizens) may not be a big issue for the majority of people - which is a disgrace in itself - but that does not take away from the fact that it is an horrific moment for all concerned with equality, fairness, and - yes - the safety of women, who happen to have been born in different bodies. What you are doing is saying, 'these women's safety we care about; as for those, we'll throw them into the lions' den and let them fend for themselves, they deserve it'. This is not OK.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

This is a very marginal issue that affects a very small number of UK citizens.

[@locorum9103]

​​@@FireflyOnTheMoon What a ridiculous response. 'Can you not make me think about it please?' Would you say that Liz Kendall attacking disabled people is also a 'marginal issue' that 'affects a very small number' of people?

[@clementattlee6984]

Wes Streeting is a vile Blairite who racially abused Diane Abbott to her face, and is on record as saying he "doesn't give a f***) about the genocide of Palestinians. There's a good reason he almost lost his seat. If we weren't living in the dystopian timeline, he would have.

[@QwentyJ]

How are trans woman being relegated to second class citizens? We really could do with less hyperbole in these issues

[@locorum9103]

@@QwentyJ Third attempt at replying without YT deleting it: I don't understand how you can honestly say that trans people aren't second class citizens. They fear harassment and violence whenever they have go outside, let alone when using public bathrooms. This makes them almost invisible as a demographic because they either avoid being seen in public or hide that they are trans. I personally know a trans girl that had to flee home because her dad disowned her; that is quite common. This video is specifically discussing the proposal to exclude trans people from a medication proscribed to others. That is textbook discrimination, and both major political parties are expressing support for it. Trans people have also been turned into a political football and are described as though they are perv*rted or gr**mers for existing. Needless to say, all of the things I have mentioned contribute to the extremely high su***de rates. They are second class citizens, and frankly it's getting worse.

[@CDOODY1999]

I work in intensive care and can corroborate the vast resources that we spend to rescue people at the end of disease processes that should have been treated much earlier. For in many cases diminishing returns. Their will be hard decisions to make about treating the sickest because we are on a treadmill that we must step away from in order to refocus on expansion of primary care. Make long term decisions NOW for strong foundations for the future. Restore pay redistribute healthcare and fund future wellbeing of the UK. The benefits of achieving this surely can't be counted

[@Tom_murray89]

He was the president of the students union when I was at college. Also prison reform needs to happen

[@heliotropezzz333]

Given the ageing population though some more hospital beds would be useful. Previous regimes cut them back too far and there's no spare capacity in the system now.

[@alu62]

Rory - please stop interrupting so much as it makes the interviewer's answer disjointed.

[@gonzalogascon2407]

How can you beorking class and going to Cambridge? Apologís for my ignorance

[@regarded9702]

I begin this video hoping to not hear the word privatisation at any point.

[@totalvoid6234]

Streeting is a liar so he'll not really own up to it. But he took 175k in bungs to privatise the NHS so he's privatising the NHS.

[@paulgilliland2992]

I’ll tell you what’s worse than armed robbery and I’ve been a victim of that is being locked into the Club Bar in Belfast by UVF sectarian bombers who chained and locked the front doors so escape wasn’t an option. Luckily the detonator failed but we were fear stricken for 2 hours.

[@simac3880]

Alastair again pulling the show back into order as Rory argues that prisons issues are more important than schools and hospitals... because inmates are 'are getting their heads chopped off in the exercise yard'. The world dosesn't revolve around your previous cabinet position, Rory

[@jackthemac132]

He's insecure because his entire political experience is based off being a junior minister, a backbencher, a mayoral run, and a one-time up and comer. He has no reason to be, he's somehow managed to wangle himself a gig as one of the most influential political voices in the country, and yet he obviously has an inferiority complex. A little odd if you ask me for a man of his age.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

All three have a strong history with prison reform. Let them discuss what they are interested in

[@thunderslug1066]

With conditions are disgraceful as they are, they honestly might be even if it a problem that is not very visible and affecting a minority. Someone who's worked with prisons has every right to be passionate about penal reform

[@jamieclarke321]

Haha I was looking for this video last night. I’ve been very much enjoying hearing from labour members. Kwasi kwartengs was absolutely mental, what a sociopath.

[@shuaibafzal6042]

Half way in. An you realise the political system is broken and needs major reform!

[@robfodder5575]

Comparisons for being critical of religion vs. sexuality is odd. A set of stories/instructions for life from when humanity didnt understand the basics of our world is something that should be rationalized away. Its often taught to children when they are at their most open to suggestion (IMO abuse). Anyway point is being rational should allow people to see religion for what it is vs sexuality which a mix of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences i.e. something normal; any concept of religious intervention schemes or 'moral' manipulation are ridiculous, I'm surprised Wes appears to be OK with this. As for hospital funding, any concept of redirecting funds to primary care worry's me, especially where its coming from. We should now start to utilize AI to do the GP leg work for symptoms and outcomes, feeding back any diagnostics. I've always thought of GPs as barriers to diagnostics and/or consultants, which given the NHS guidelines, you can deduce what should be happening yourself (well, pretty much). My partners gripes about working in the NHS arnt pay, though more is always nice, but its organization. Missed appointments, paper notes, inefficient rescheduling, all big problems.

[@heliotropezzz333]

Prevention is better than cure (and a lot of conditions can't be cured anyway) but in the meantime there are a lot of sick people who urgently need treatment. Investment in mental health should eventually pay for itself in terms of reduced costs of crime, prison and emergency treatment and better life prospects and independence for people.

[@robc8892]

Seems like a good bloke

[@clementattlee6984]

Then you've been fooled.

[@iainmackenzieUK]

Its easier to come out as being gay in our society than it is to disclose that you have been sexually abused. People just dont know how to respond. Like talking about death. So you get shamed by your abuser then have to keep it hidden from society - carrying a secondary burden of shame. So, Wes, do you work with mental health and schools but have compassion too for those of us, like your Grandfather, who found unhealthy responses to being abused and then feared being outcast by society. Tidy up the prisons.

[@Inspectazoid]

Rory chill man. You dont need to constantly interrupt.

[@paulgilliland2992]

Rory doesn’t know how to shut up does he. It’s always about him.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

He is the chair and moderator - he is the one that keeps the session on track. He is clarifying for listeners and is giving context.

[@QwentyJ]

​@paulgilliland2992 mate your comment history shows you have it in for him constantly. Why don't *you* chill out?

[@mikee8605]

Wes Streeting is soooo freakin' attractive.

[@aDifferentJT]

Slightly odd to see you talking about it being a shame that prison reform isn't on the political agenda now that we have James Timpson as prisons minister.

[@martinw5766]

This was recorded well before the election.....

[@ejvindgeckler4951]

Why don' t you talk about schools?

[@gamemaker1234]

Surprised to hear he's from Stepney. I'm from Stepney!

[@RichieKeane]

Great episode and have to say Wes is the only credible Labour “minister” in the election. To credible and sensible to survive the labour congress and BMA I fear.. most logical solution for NHS is fixed contribution Public / Private model like Switzerland / CH EVERYONE pays the same based on location and age. No discrimination. Then you top up with basic to super private if you can afford it. State paid by means test if you can’t. All “free” at point of care but if you can pay or want to pay private you can,. Only Labour government can fix the NHS but doubt they will

[@Vandel96]

So... people with more money get better healthcare? That really seems contradictory to the "no discrimination" point that youre pushing. If you are able to pay for private, that impys that private is better than public, which is then giving rich people access to better healthcare, in turn discriminating against poorer people. This is a dangerous reform talking point/ almost identical to reforms stated healthcare plans.

[@tompearce3610]

​@@Vandel96perhaps paying to queue jump as well.

[@sluglife9785]

My severe mental illness was, not in whole, but in significant part born of socio-economic precariousness. If you want to steady the mental health of the country, you need to abolish that precariousness. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I suspect council housing, council housing, council housing.

[@wlj344]

He believes in the virgin birth and the resurrection?

[@sara-jayn]

He believes virgins can give birth because of a book. But doesn’t believe trans people need healthcare despite decades of indisputable scientific evidence. And he’s in charge of our health service

[@bradleywilkinson4246]

Rory, asking the question ‘would I put my family member in this prison’ is categorically the wrong question to ask. You can’t avoid being in a hospital, you CAN avoid going to prison. We need to stop iterating everything to a level where by the law abiding citizen could be arrested and go to prison and find the whole thing to be pleasant. It’s prison, don’t like the conditions? Try not committing a crime in future. Nothing screams M25 bubble than these kind of conversations.

[@molsy1768]

That's the same excuse that texas is using to excuse serving mouldy food to their inmates. Prison is a restriction of freedoms, it should not however lead to a decline in the persons health and hygiene. And if you want them to stay out of prison, they actually need to "enjoy" something about prison ie reformation. Depriving people of hobbies, hygiene and proper food literally solidifies them as criminals. It's a stupid theory thought up by medieval Lords, and isn't backed by the scientific literature.

[@Cemo123321]

The horrific conditions don't just affect the inmates

[@blablabubles]

They are your fellow citizens who made a mistake.

[@Squarepeg57]

Not everybody outside the M25 agree’s with your point of view.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

his point is that the principle should be look after the most vulernable in our society. The vast majority of women in prison have been absued and battered and have appalling mental health issues. A great many of the women shouldn't be there. They have no legal aid, no defence. Many people in prisons haven't committed any crime and haven't been charged with any crime. It's myopic to say "I would never go to prison, cos I'm a good guy". Or "I would never be homeless", or feeling suicidal, or freighted with debt or living unsupported in a care home. Very naive.

[@christopherhutchinson6101]

Most say power is better served at local levels but they never devolve powers down but want to keep them under their control???

[@bluedoughnut1334]

Didn't the last labour dynasty speed run devolution to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland? Seems like the biggest shift to local law making in many decades.

[@filiphusko2701]

It's not just that Rory is interrupting all the time, the bigger problem, in my opinion, is that he keeps injecting his endless pessimism and nihilism about politics (which is based simply on his bad experiences) into almost every question and interruption.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

The UK is in a disasterous state. There is no way around it. Huge child poverty. Huge melt down of adult social care. Rory is profoundly upset and tells it like it is.

[@elisepaul3147]

I love these guys, but is anyone else annoyed by Rory’s method of interrupting? He seems to do this by stuttering until the other person lets him speak.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

no

[@inky4763]

He is one of the many reasons I can't vote Labour.

[@peternicho]

Your having a laugh , go back to 2012 and you,ll find that the,NHS allowed and encouraged any company who wanted to bid for parts of the NHS Tender system where almost everything except non profit making was taken by businessmen, and they could still use the nhs name, so it has already been privatized and the public have no idea they have been fooled. So when these companies get more money it goes mainly to their shareholders who many of them are related in some way to politicians.

[@RichieKeane]

No and you go straight to guillotine anyone who worked hard all their life. Everyone has a set premium based on location and dob. If you are means tested this is paid for you. This gets you world class care compared to UK in their “NHS” if you want the upgrades full 5* and the usual private treats you top up this basic premium. Most important it’s not based on preconditions so everyone born in 1980 who lives in Zurich say pays the same minimum participation. Everyone has skin in the game it’s fair for all and the service is better because all use it. And yes in the UK and globally statistically your survival rate is higher if it’s private or hybrid model compared to the sacred cow of the NHS today which is had more than double the funding? Maybe because 40% of the staff don’t do medicine just protecting the legend and their jobs?

[@EmiSuperTrans71]

Vile man has absolutely now integrity, I would trust a rat over him.

[@billfear8824]

Please provide examples of his lack of integrity?

[@totalvoid6234]

@@billfear8824 Took 175k in bribes, sorry, 'donations' from private healthcare lobbyists.

[@simac3880]

What a ridiculous comment. Where is your evidence of his lack of integrity? And please compare that to his opponents.

[@EmiSuperTrans71]

@@simac3880 well the fact he’s been saying for years transwomen are women to suddenly we’re not and we should be segregated. Vile human being. You can google the rest

[@CloudhoundCoUk]

Are you a Putin bot for the Tories? If not I suggest you seek professional mental health care.

[@kieranhudson4938]

Wes Streeting is a very lucky man... hope he doesn't forget that he almost lost his seat by skin of his teeth.

[@schofield4836]

Such a sycophant, Alaister

[@MM-xr6tz]

Cancel the BBC License fee £3.8bn and move it to the NHS. Gary Linikers £1.35m can go towards giving junior doctors a pay rise as healthcare is more important than entertainment. Charge £10 for each missed appointment. Anyone found abusing staff or fighting in A&E gets a lifetime ban. No one can earn over £100k, not even management or surgeons. Anyone with personal wealth over £20m can pay for there own healthcare.

[@RobbieB2606]

Sounds good, you’d get my vote 👍

[@Bfg12327]

Doctors easily earn £2/300,000 in Australia and Canada. You want a wage cap on a profession that is internationally in demand. You can cap nhs wages, but if you think that will help the nhs, well, good luck.. the doctor will see you privately. Or there won’t be any doctors left NHS after training.

[@MM-xr6tz]

@@Bfg12327 Easily sortable. Whoever gets trained in the UK stays in the UK. UK tax payers pay for the training. Therefore each individual must agree that they use that expertise here. It's not a commercial business, it the National Health Service that provides free care. If you don't believe in that, pay for your own training or move away for it.

[@Bfg12327]

@@MM-xr6tz - lol. Sure thing..