The mess in the NHS

Can England's healthcare system be reformed?

An episode of the Political Fix podcast, hosted by Financial Times, titled "The mess in the NHS" was published on August 22, 2025 and runs 35 minutes.

August 22, 2025 ·35m · Political Fix

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Summary

England’s NHS is in a ‘critical and deteriorating condition’ - those are the words of Lord Darzi who investigated the state of the NHS for the new Labour government last year. In response, Starmer unveiled a ten year plan to fix it focusing on delivering three big shifts in healthcare: hospital to community; analogue to digital; sickness to prevention but is it too little, too late, or is the problem just too big to fix?In this week’s special episode, host George Parker is joined by our global health editor, Sarah Neville, deputy comment editor Miranda Green and FT economics commentator, Chris Giles, author of the weekly newsletter on Central Banks. Together they discuss some of the key problems facing the UK’s healthcare system, its financial situation and why it matters so much to both the public and politicians.Follow: George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social or X @GeorgeWParker; Sarah Neville @SarahNev; Chris Giles @ChrisGiles; and Miranda Green @greenmirandaSign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer  What did you think of this episode? Let us know at [email protected] Want more? Free links:   Will the NHS 10-year plan fix England’s crumbling health service?The future of the NHSWes Streeting says ‘jury is out’ over pay deal for doctors as talks continueOne in five UK doctors are considering quitting, regulator warnsMiranda's column - Ask Green: Is laughter the best medicine?CLIPS: BFIBBCSky NewsPresented by George Parker, and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. Manuela Saragosa is the acting co-head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description

In this week’s special episode, host George Parker is joined by our global health editor, Sarah Neville, deputy comment editor Miranda Green and FT economics commentator, Chris Giles, author of the weekly newsletter on Central Banks. Together they discuss some of the key problems facing the UK’s healthcare system, its financial situation and why it matters so much to both the public and politicians.

Follow: George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social or X @GeorgeWParker; Sarah Neville @SarahNev; Chris Giles @ChrisGiles; and Miranda Green @greenmiranda

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at [email protected]

Want more? Free links:

Will the NHS 10-year plan fix England’s crumbling health service?

The future of the NHS

Wes Streeting says ‘jury is out’ over pay deal for doctors as talks continue

One in five UK doctors are considering quitting, regulator warns

Miranda's column - Ask Green: Is laughter the best medicine?

CLIPS:

BFI

BBC

Sky News

Presented by George Parker, and produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. Manuela Saragosa is the acting co-head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.