Yesterday’s Sullivan Review delivered some troubling findings, concluding that the NHS “consistently prioritises gender identity over or in place of sex” and warning of a “clear clinical risk” due to inadequate diligence in sex data collection. Speaking on the Today Programme, Professor Sullivan highlighted the root of the issue: confusion over the word “gender.” Once widely understood as a synonym for sex, it has since become a term used to record diverse gender identities – leading to a “widespread loss of data on sex.” Progressive civil servant ‘activists’ are taking the flak for this one…
The review set out some helpful recommendations, including that “the default target of any sex question should be sex (in other words, biological sex, natal sex, sex at birth).” In response, Wes Streeting has come out strongly in support, stating on X that he “will act on the findings.”
The Sullivan Review underlines the importance of recording biological sex – not just for research and insight, but also patient safety.
Doing so does not prevent us from recording, recognising and respecting people’s gender identity where these differ.
We’ll act on findings.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) March 20, 2025
Streeting has long positioned himself as the anti-woke Health Secretary, last month calling out NHS diversity roles that are “ideological hobby horses” and making it clear that “anti-whiteness” has no place in the health service. He’ll be hoping woke civil servants fall in line…
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has told its 6,000 member pharmacies in England, including those providing NHS services, to start scaling back services. The NPA said almost all of its pharmacies were considering reducing opening hours, while 93% plan to cut back on free home deliveries of medicines. All thanks to Reeves’ budget…
NPA chairman Nick Kay said:
“We have been left with little choice because in just two weeks new business costs will be hitting local NHS pharmacies across the country We hope that an offer from the Government emerges by April 1 to cover the additional costs which pharmacies will face and start to plug the huge gap in funding created by 10 years of real-terms cuts.”
Pharmacies are facing a £310 million increase in costs due to Reeves’ tax hikes and increase in minimum wage. Streeting won’t be pleased…
Robert Jenrick said on Sky News of NHS England’s abolition:
“I think that probably is something that we should have done. We believe in a leaner, smaller state, and so where there are opportunities to get rid of quangos, they should be taken.”
Guido hears NHSE staff are naturally fuming after having “gone from 2,500 jobs going, to 6,500 jobs going, to not existing” in a matter of weeks. NHSE staff are generally paid more than those at DHSC and are viewed by some as higher calibre. There is still confusion as to how Streeting will perform the job cuts. Staff at the quango were left bemused recently as outgoing CEO Amanda Pritchard held a valedictory call with thousands of them to give a “tone deaf speech on her achievements.” Guido hears comments – which were left open on the online call – were less than sympathetic…
Jenrick has added the quango abolition to the long list of things the Tories regret not fixing. Coulda, woulda, shoulda…
Guido hears there is bedlam over at the Department of Health over the numerous tranches of job cuts in that corner of the public sector. After announcing successive cuts of 35% and 15% for NHS England, this week major changes have around half its workforce in sight (6,500 jobs). That’s all while chief executive Amanda Pritchard and medical director Stephen Powis say they are stepping down. Enough to raise hairs – to add salt to the wound there is contradictory communication on how job cuts will work…
DHSC were reportedly told at an all-staff briefing yesterday that they would suffer no job losses and all of the 50% reduction, whose aim is to “reduce the duplication of jobs between the two organisations,” will affect NHSE. One day later Guido hears incoming NHSE CEO Sir Jim Mackey has told his staff that this is definitely not the case as per his communications with health secretary Wes Streeting – leaving staff scratching their heads as to who will be getting the sack. Sounds like some reassurances have been falsely given…
Labour has been making plenty of noise about bringing the NHS into the digital age—tweaking the NHS App, rolling out AI, and promising a streamlined, modern service. Wes Streeting has touted the plans to go from analogue to digital as a way to cut bureaucracy and make the health system fit for the 21st century. Sounds good…
Though given the NHS’s track record, whether it can actually handle the transition is another question. A TaxPayers’ Alliance FoI seen by Guido reveals that from 2021-2024, there have been a staggering 35,283 data breaches across 154 NHS Trusts, with 233,314 patients’ records accessed inappropriately. Though the NHS won’t say how much that set the taxpayer back…
Joanna Marchong of the TPA said:
“Taxpayers will be happy to see the NHS go digital but their track record will be cause for concern. Patients trust the NHS with private and confidential data, NHS bosses need to prioritise tightening up their security.”
Streeting might want to ask how the NHS can keep a lid on patient data as it stands before rolling out his digital revolution…
UK DOGE’s latest research delves into some eye-watering spending at the NHS Health Research Authority (HRA). While Wes Streeting pushes to make Britain a “life sciences and medical technology superpower”—investing in medical research and slashing waiting times—perhaps he should also be keeping an eye on where taxpayers’ cash is really going. Woke wastage…
Over the past five years, the HRA has blown £209,650 on DEI initiatives, ramping up from £7,869 in 2019 to a staggering £61,116 in 2024. A 676.8% increase over five years. At the same time, last year 71% of internal complaints weren’t completed on time, and every single third-party complaint remained unresolved past deadline. For the cash spent on DEI you could:
The taxpayer may have a view on which should be prioritised. UK DOGE recommends costs are cut here…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”