Justin Madders MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, commenting on the Public Accounts Committee’s new report on clinical staff numbers in the NHS, said:
“This devastating report from the Public Accounts Committee exposes the serious gaps in the Tory Government’s approach to safe staffing in the NHS.
“Everybody would support the vision of a seven-day NHS, but David Cameron’s plans are simply not credible without the extra staff the NHS desperately needs.
“In recent weeks we have seen the damaging consequences of staff shortages in the NHS, with hospitals having to temporarily close their A&E departments or cancel operations. Unless Ministers get to grips with this crisis then I am deeply concerned this could be the thin end of the wedge and patients will continue to pay the price for this Government’s failed policies.
“I urge David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt to take this report seriously and urgently address the serious concerns it has raised about staffing in the NHS.”