NHS boss admits reform is needed

NORTH East NHS boss has admitted that reform is needed in the health sector after a county councillor criticised the “mind blowing” cost of the service.

- JAMES ROBINSON

The health service budget currently stands at more than £200 billion a year.

Coun Georgina Hill, the chairman of Northumberland County Council's health and wellbeing scrutiny committee pointed out that the cost of the health service took up two thirds of income tax receipts. Income tax receipts for the UK came to £301 billion for 2024/25.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the committee following a presentation giving an overview of the health service, she said: “We often come back to fundamental problems with the NHS that need significant reform. Two thirds of everybody's income tax goes on the health service.

“These are mind boggling figures. There are examples of phenomenal services, but day to day and with GPs there are so many problems with the NHS and so much cost.