New PM promises faster GP appointments and hospital upgrades

Patients should get quicker access to GP appointments, and hospitals will receive “upgrades,” as part of plans laid out by the new prime minister, Boris Johnson, who took over the post on 24 July.

Leader of doctors’ and NHS organisation have welcomed his promises but said that these must be tempered with an acknowledgment of workforce shortages and pressure on the health service.

Johnson, making his first speech as prime minister outside Number 10 Downing Street, gave broad brush indications of his priorities for the country, alongside his focus on ensuring that the UK leaves the European Union in October, as currently scheduled.

In his speech Johnson said, “My job is to make sure you don’t have to wait …