Boris Johnson scrambles to stop NHS winter crisis derailing Tory hopes of winning a majority at snap election
- The country is bracing ahead of a crunch general election on December 12
- Fears the Tory bid to get a majority could be delayed by NHS winter crisis
- Boris Johnson personally involved in efforts to head off massive backlash
Ministers are desperately scrambling to stop an NHS winter crisis derailing the Tory election campaign.
Boris Johnson has been personally involved in efforts to head off a backlash over delays caused by resource pressures and a seasonal spike in flu.
The NHS is a crucial battleground in the election, and the country is due to go to the polls on December 12 - potentially a peak time for the winter problems.
According to the Observer, Mr Johnson has been holding regular meetings at No10 with NHS England chief Simon Stevens.
Health secretary Matt Hancock is said to have been getting face-to-face updates from Mr Stevens every week.
Boris Johnson (pictured on visit to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge last week) has reportedly been personally involved in efforts to head off a backlash over delays caused by NHS resource pressures and a seasonal spike in flu
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And Downing Street is reportedly considering creating an 'operations unit' specifically to counter the threat to the Tories' prospects of winning the majority Mr Johnson craves. Areas of concern include A&E departments, cancer care and routine operations such as hip replacements.
The British Medical Association complained that the NHS - which has had real-terms funding increase over the past nine years but not at historical levels - is in a 'perpetual state of crisis'.
BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul told the Observer: 'It should not take an election to take stock of just how bad the situation has become.
'Staff are already coming under extreme pressure, trolley waits are at a worryingly high level, A&E targets are not being met and as such, the BMA predicts that the NHS is hurtling towards an unprecedented crisis this winter.'
The scramble comes despite a poll for the Mail on Sunday suggesting Mr Johnson has opened up a commanding lead over Jeremy Corbyn on the NHS.
Mr Johnson’s Conservatives now hold a six-point lead when voters are asked which party would be best for the NHS, after years of Labour traditionally being the most trusted party on health.
The lead appears to vindicate Tory strategists’ decision to ‘fight on Corbyn’s own turf’ by highlighting the extra £34billion-a-year in funding for the NHS that the Government has pledged by 2024.
The Deltapoll survey gives the Conservatives an overall 12-point lead over Labour, with the Tories now on 40 per cent and Mr Corbyn’s party on 28 per cent.
However, the election is expected to be the most volatile for a generation – with widespread tactical voting and Brexit allegiances cutting across traditional party loyalties.
NHS England chief Simon Stevens has been updating ministers. The health service is a key election battleground with Jeremy Corbyn (right)
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