Andy Burnham speech to the NHS Chief Executives Conference

Andy Burnham speech to the NHS Chief Executives Conference; ENGLAND: London: Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre: INT Andy Burnham MP (Health Secretary) along to podium and speech SOT - Important day for NHS, setting out plans for next five years - When I left the Dept of Culture earlier this year and was appointed to Health earlier this year, I immediately came to two difficult realisations. The first was that I would have to hand back all those tickets to high-profile sporting and cultural events I had planned my summer around. The second was that I would be in office at Richmond House during a period of change and transition. The NHS, having completed a decade of rebuilding and expansion, was clearly entering a new era. I decided early on that the best thing I could do would be to set out a clear vision and direction – how to continue our collective journey of NHS improvement in more challenging times. I wanted to give people working in the NHS a route-map – more clarity, certainty and time to plan. - So, that is what we are publishing today with this 5-year plan – and, I'm pleased to say, you are the first to hear about it. For a document prepared by a Forest and an Everton supporter, it is remarkably upbeat and optimistic – but also, as you might expect, gritty and realistic. But before we think about challenges ahead, it's always good on a long journey to stop sometimes and look at how far we’ve come. 15 years ago, the National Health Service had sunk to such a low ebb that many voiced doubts over its long-term survival. Today, it is in a strong position with high levels of public support. It is a huge turn-around in fortunes and a great success story – in which you and your staff can feel pride for have played a crucial part. A decade of investment and reform has given the country a capable, resilient and self-confident health service ready for the challenges of a new era. Yet, while we celebrate this progress, let's not over-claim for ...