Editorial 12.09.24
Thursday’s front pages focus on a major report on the NHS which is to be published today. Lord Darzi’s report on the state of the NHS in England is set to say major reform is needed for the national health service.
Elsewhere, analysis of the US presidential election TV debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump also looms large on the front pages.
A splash of other domestic and international stories find space on some of the front pages, including a report that the UK and US are considering letting Ukraine use long-range missiles in Russia.
‘NHS reform’ after damning report lays bare failures
‘Low productivity despite record funding,’ says the Telegraph.
The paper says the report identifies low productivity despite record funding. A&E waits are now so long that a patient will typically have 100 people ahead of them in the queue – up from 40 in 2009, it adds.
‘Tories to blame for NHS,’ says the Guardian.
The paper says the report is a damning critique of how previous governments have neglected the NHS and how that left the health service unable to provide timely care. The paper says the report is a “scathing indictment of the Conservatives’ 14-year stewardship of the NHS”. It carries a warning from the report saying it will take longer than five years to get treatment waiting times back on track.
‘Labour will try to blame Tories,’ claims the Times.
The Times says the report will be used for three clear purposes. The Labour government will first try to blame Conservatives for the state of the NHS, health officials will argue for billions more in funding and finally, the report will be used to force the NHS to change.
‘Shifting billions from hospitals to community care,’ says the Mail.
The Daily Mail suggests Kier Starmer’s speech later today will see the prime minister announce new measures including shifting billions of pounds from what it calls inefficient hospitals to community care. It will focus on preventing people getting unwell in the first place, it adds.
‘Weight-loss drug plays key role in shake-up,’ says the i newspaper.
The paper says the reforms will shake up the NHS in what it calls the biggest overhaul since the NHS started. The paper says the popular weight loss drug Ozempic will likely “play a key role” – and more treatment in the community via nurses, GPs and pharmacists.
‘A decade to fix the NHS,’ claims the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror’s headline reads: “A decade to fix our broken NHS.” The paper says the prime minister will unveil a 10-year plan to reform the health services. Like many of the papers, the Mirror calls the report “damning” and says the review exposes a “shocking deterioration in the nation’s health”, the paper adds.
‘Reform or die,’ is the Express’s take.
The Daily Express focuses on the prime minister’s warning that the NHS must “reform or die.” It says he is set to brand the decline of the NHS as “unforgivable” when he gives his speech on Thursday. “What we need is the courage to deliver long-term reform – major surgery not sticking plaster solutions” he will add.
Trump Harris debate – the fallout
‘Trump in damage control mode’ says the Guardian.
The paper says Team Trump is attempting to clean up the mess from the TV debate amid widespread dismay among supporters.
‘Reeling after poor performance,’ says the FT.
The Financial Times says Trump’s campaign has been left reeling in the wake of his poor performance at the TV debate on Tuesday. The paper says Trump’s former allies were left exasperated and says Trump seemed unprepared, outplayed and delivered erratic messages to voters.
‘Donors considering contributions,’ claims the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph says Trump’s debate performance rattled senior Republicans, with party donors reportedly reconsidering their spending on the presidential race. “Shares in Trump’s own media company also fell more than 13 per cent as the markets priced in a drop in the odds of him reclaiming the White House.”
‘Trump claims immigrants eating pets,’ says the Daily Star.
The Daily Star picks up on the bizarre claim Donald Trump made during the debate that illegal immigrants are eating America’s pets.