Turn To Family First Before Going To NHS, Says Javid

Sajid Javid has said health and social care “begins at home” and people should rely on their families in the first instance rather than on the state. The health secretary’s comments came during his speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester yesterday.

- Emily Atkinson

Mr Javid said: “The state was needed in this pandemic more than any time in peacetime. But government shouldn’t own all risks and responsibilities in life. We as citizens have to take some responsibility for our health too.

“We shouldn’t always go first to the state. What kind of society would that be? Health – and social care – begins at home. Family first, then community, then the state.

“If you do need support, we live in a compassionate, developed country that can afford to help with that. There are few higher callings than to care for another person.”

The remarks come after the government announced the introduction of a new health and social care tax in September, which will begin as a 1.25 per cent rise in national insurance from April next year.

The controversial plans were met with much criticism from leaders in social care, warning the promised extra £12bn a year would not be enough to address the current crisis.

During his speech, Mr Javid recalled his work volunteering in a care home. He also warned that NHS waiting list times are set to “get worse before they get better”, promising “the biggest catchup fund in the history of the NHS”, with a focus on prioritised elective recovery, check-ups, scans and surgeries.