RUSHES: Rishi Sunak press conference

Rishi Sunak press conference; Part 1 of 16ENGLAND: London: Westminster: Downing Street: INTCabinet members arriving and taking seats including Steve Barclay MP (Health Secretary) and Jeremy Hunt MP (Chancellor) / Rishi Sunak MP (Prime Minister), Stephen Powis (Medical Director of NHS England) and Amanda Pritchard (Chief Executive of NHS England) arriving / Rishi Sunak MP (Prime Minister) speech SOT ('Cut Waiting Lists' sign on lectern and 'Our Priories' listed on wall in background).- For 75 years, the NHS has existed for an enduring moral purpose:To give every single person in our country the security……that comes from knowing that if you’re sick, you will be cared for.Rich or poor, young or old, in work or out……the NHS is there for you, whenever and wherever you need it.I believe in the NHS because it’s fundamental to my family.My Dad was a GP; my Mum was a pharmacist…… and I saw from an early age the difference they made to the community where they lived and worked.And the difference made by the hundreds of thousands of others……who sacrifice so much, for so many……in the service of that higher purpose, of protecting our nation’s health.But while that purpose has never changed, what has changed are the challenges facing the NHS. Our society is growing older. The burden of illness is changing. And all of this will put pressure on an already overstretched workforce. A couple of weeks ago, I joined doctors and nurses on the late shift at Watford General Hospital.I saw courageous, hard-working men and women……doing extraordinary things in difficult circumstances.And they told me the same message we hear time and time again……from leaders in the health care sector and the public.We need more Doctors and Nurses to ease the pressures…… and we need reform, to free them up to do their jobs properly. And they’re right.Governments from all parties have ducked the challenge...