Sir Keir Starmer has criticised successive Conservative-led governments for leaving the NHS in a "broken" and "unforgivable" state. In a major interview, he pointed to austerity measures and the mishandling of the pandemic as key reasons for the current crisis. Starmer’s remarks come ahead of a report, which highlights severe issues, including long wait times, rising childhood obesity, and declining health outcomes for young people.

The report is expected to reveal that over 100,000 children waited more than six hours in A&E last year, with 800,000 on NHS waiting lists for treatment. It also highlights increasing rates of ADHD prescriptions and a rise in hospital admissions for eating disorders. The review criticises past reforms, particularly those from 2012, as "hopelessly misconceived."

Starmer stated that the report will offer a diagnosis of the problems to help shape future reforms. He stressed that only a Labour government could deliver the necessary changes, starting with plans to fund 40,000 out-of-hours appointments each week to reduce waiting lists.

However, Labour may soon face pressure to move beyond criticism of the Conservatives and demonstrate their own effectiveness in tackling NHS challenges. Starmer acknowledged the need for hard work and reforms, calling it a long-term process that Labour is committed to leading.