Wes Streeting warns the NHS faces ‘real challenges’ despite huge multi-billion pound handout expected in Rachel Reeves’ Budget

Investing billions more in the NHS will only “stop the decline”, admitted Wes Streeting.

The health secretary has warned that the extra funding to be announced in Labour’s first budget is unlikely to lead to major improvements and will not prevent patients dying while waiting for care this winter.

Speaking at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London, yesterday, he said there was “no magic wand” and warned the NHS would still face “real challenges” in the coming months.

His dire remarks threaten to undermine Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ authority as she prepares to focus on health in tomorrow’s Budget.

She will unveil plans to increase capital spending on new hospitals, scanners and technology to the highest level since 2010.

She added: “If we don’t have a growing economy with lots of good jobs with decent wages, then you can neither improve living standards nor attract tax revenue to improve our public services along with the reform that is needed.” .

“But we really need an immediate injection of money now because otherwise we won’t be able to stop the decline in health care.

“So this is an immediate injection, but then it is through growth and reform that we will ensure our public services are properly funded.”

Ms Reeves and Mr Streeting’s comments last night were met with alarm by the medical community.

Dr Ian Higginson, vice-president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said doctors and patients are facing what may be their “toughest winter yet” with many emergency departments “already bursting at the seams”.

He added: “There is no mention of short or long-term measures to alleviate the current unacceptable situation in our emergency departments, where vulnerable patients are forced to endure extremely long waits, often on trolleys in corridors.”

“These expectations are associated with hundreds of additional deaths every week. This will continue to happen if nothing changes.

“This government was elected in July and that should have been enough time to at least start putting in place measures and funding to help reduce the number of preventable deaths.

“So far we have seen words and apparent acceptance of the status quo. We didn’t see any action.

“Talking about prioritizing patient safety while allowing dangerous and degrading ‘hallway care’ to continue makes no sense.

“Ending this shameful situation must be a priority right now.”

Meanwhile, Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats’ health and social care spokesman, said: “Millions of people are in pain and suffering waiting for the help they need.

“It is disappointing that the new government does not show the ambition this country needs to get the NHS back on its feet.

“If stopping the decline is the best they can do, I’m afraid people will continue to wait too long for treatment.”

Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation think tank, said carrying out 40,000 extra visits every week over the next five years was unlikely to be enough to keep patients treated within the 18-week target.

Dr Dixon added: “Today’s announcement should be the opening salvo in a wider program of investment and reform.

“We look forward to seeing more details on the NHS revenue budget and how the government will deliver on its wider health commitments, including improving access to primary care and prioritizing the prevention of ill health.”