Health sources tell BBC that messages of ‘NHS failure’ are causing growing unease

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has learned that there is growing unease within the British National Health Service (NHS) over the government’s “incomplete” messaging.

Senior health service sources told the BBC they believed some of the claims went too far and could cause patients to delay seeking help and cause lasting damage to staff morale.

When Wes Streeting was appointed UK health secretary, he declared that the NHS was “broken” – a phrase he and others in government have used many times since.

It has been claimed recently that cancer is a “death sentence” due to NHS failures and that maternity services are a “disgrace” to the country.

But the government said it was important to be “honest” about the scale of the challenge.

The revelations came ahead of Streeting’s speech later at a Labor Party conference in Liverpool.

The BBC spoke to senior figures in the health service and officials from the National Health Service (NHS).

One hospital leader told the BBC: “We understand the political implications of what the government are doing – how difficult it is for them to feel they need to establish in the public mind the legacy they have inherited.

“The Conservatives took a very effective approach in 2010 and even in the winter of discontent in 1979.

“But there are growing concerns that if this goes on for longer it could frighten patients and make it difficult to improve staff morale. Hope is important.”

NHS England has expressed similar views privately. Officials have made the government aware of its concerns about the information and are monitoring the impact on patients coming in for tests and appointments, sources said.

“We haven’t seen any data to suggest it’s having an impact, but we’re watching it closely,” one source said.

Another hospital leader said: “If the government is not careful, it will cause lasting harm. Yes, we know there are many problems, but there is also a lot of good care that is not being recognized.”

“We need to see a shift – the wording of the death penalty for cancer is simply wrong.”

The government made its case for the death penalty in a written response to a report published by the BBC last week. Waiting times vary for different cancersand passed Streeting in the House of Commons on September 12, the day Lord Ara Darzi delivers report on the state of the NHS.

In both cases, it was argued that Lord Dalzi’s report found that cancer was “more likely to be a death sentence for NHS patients than for patients in other countries”.

Lord Dalzi did not use the word capital punishment in his report, although he did note that cancer death rates were higher in the UK. Lord Dalzi has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond.

Asked for a response to the language, Cancer Research UK provided the BBC with figures showing one in two cancer patients now survive for at least 10 years.

Meanwhile, Mr Streeting used the term “national disgrace” in response to a Care Quality Commission report last week which said Two-thirds of delivery rooms found to be unsafe.

Sir Julian Hartley of NHS Providers, which represents health leaders, said it was important to recognize what the NHS does well and the efforts of staff working “all in”.

“Despite ongoing concerns and difficulties, there is still much to be proud of,” he added.

Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust think tank which only started running the NHS trust last year, said NHS staff recognized the service was struggling and there was “power” in speaking out about issues.

But she added: “At the same time, language is important. The problem with the word ‘broken’ is that people may think that broken things need to be thrown away.”

She said she was concerned about the impact this could have on patients, staff and young people who are considering a career in health services.

“It’s important that the government now places a greater emphasis on repair, rebuilding and hope, in addition to its ‘broken’ message,” she said.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care defended the approach taken.

“Patients and staff can see that the NHS is going through the biggest crisis in its history. They want the government to be honest about the scale of the challenge and tackle it seriously.

“Wes has said since the election that while the NHS is broken, it is not defeated.

“We will work with NHS staff on a ten-year plan to turn the NHS around.”