On 30th of October 2024, Rachel Reeves, the first woman to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer, made history by delivering the budget in which she promised that under a Labour government, “there would be no return to austerity.” In the UK, healthcare professionals (HCPs) quickly took to social media to react to the latest announcements.
In the lead up to the 30th of October, HCPs expressed their hopes and anticipations for the Labour budget. NHS medical consultant, Dan Goyal, questioned whether Labour is “serious about recovering the healthcare service” and outlined what he was “looking for in the budget.”
UK HCP online conversation surged following Reeve’s speech. HCPs were quick to share their thoughts and opinions via social media, on various points made by the Chancellor.
HCP response to tax announcements
As demonstrated in the chart below, UK HCPs posted about taxes twice as often as they posted about healthcare related announcements. HCPs were vocal about Labour’s decision to restrict inheritance tax relief.
Additionally, HCPs were divided over Reeve’s choice to increase taxation. Some HCPs claimed that Labour didn’t “go far enough” in imposing taxes on the wealthy to restore the NHS. Other HCPs amplified the rhetoric of political commentators who expressed mistrust towards the government, alleging that “Labour have lied to you” since they chose to increase taxes which was not “laid out in their manifesto.”
With regards to the increase in National Insurance contributions, general practitioner, Azeem Majeed suggested that “general practices may end up worse off because of […] the increase in employer NI contributions.”
Despite the recent government rhetoric about the importance of NHS primary care, the bulk of NHS investments announced in the budget were for specialist and diagnostic services. General practices may end up worse off because of this and the increase in employer NI contributions.
— Professor Azeem Majeed (@Azeem_Majeed) October 31, 2024
HCP reaction to healthcare investment
Although UK HCPs most frequently discussed taxes, HCPs reacted most positively to announcements relating to healthcare. HCPs welcomed the £22.6bn of funding towards the NHS in efforts to rebuild and save the NHS. 13 HCPs reposted a post by Amanda Pritchard, the Chief Executive of NHS England, who stated “we welcome the Chancellor’s decision to prioritise the NHS with record levels of capital investment.”
While HCPs reacted positively to Labour’s decision to increase funding towards the NHS, some HCPs expressed a desire for more investment into certain organisations within the NHS. 8 HCPs posted about the need to invest and “re-fund primary care.” Another 8 HCPs expressed a desire for the funding to “trickle into hugely stretched mental health services”, while 2 HCPs shared a post about the need for “stronger investment in diagnostics” particularly within the pathology space. Therefore, while welcoming greater investments into the NHS, HCPs were also aware that the funding needs to be spent well.
Chancellor announces £22.6bn cash injection for NHS in England. Very welcome – just wondering if any will trickle into hugely stretched mental health services? https://t.co/QMCOwoZVdg
— Alan Simpson 💙 (@cityalan) October 31, 2024
No problems with the budget but extra NHS 🏦 must be spent well!!
🧠Re-fund primary care – it’s on it’s knee’s & is the gatekeeper for health system efficiency
🧠Re-empower consultants with the local autonomy that’s been usurped by clipboard wielding middle management#simple
— Escoffier’s love child 🦀 (🗑️ 🔥) (@mouseter_chef) October 30, 2024
Issues beyond investment
Additionally, in the aftermath of the budget announcement, 11 HCPs emphasised the importance of supporting NHS staff and frontline workers. Acute medicine consultant, Amie Burbridge, advocated for “adequate staffing over the coming months” to prevent burnout among doctors. Similarly, another HCP reposted a post by the charity, Doctors In Distress, which acknowledged that while the extra funding “will help towards reducing waiting lists and providing more equipment, we must ensure staff are not forgotten.”
Today I raised the issue of burn out in doctors with the PM and asked for assurance that the budget will support us by providing adequate staffing over the coming months.
Not sure if we will see any major changes, but he did recognise we are undervalued @drjessmorgan_ pic.twitter.com/H8gpMtS4fn
— Amie Burbridge (@AmieBurbridge) October 31, 2024
Although the increased funding will help reduce waiting lists and offer patients more appointments, HCPs recognised other issues beyond funding that also need to be addressed, particularly with the NHS 10 Year Plan set to come out in Spring 2025. Three HCPs shared a post which acknowledged that fixing the NHS “won’t happen overnight, but for the first time in a long time we really have hope.” On the whole, UK HCPs reacted to the budget’s healthcare announcements with cautious optimism.
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