The NHS must fulfil its duty

When the Government sold off its last remaining stake in Royal Mail in 2015, George Osborne, who was then chancellor, hailed a “milestone moment” that marked a “win all round”. Less than a decade later, with its future in doubt, the Postal Service is proposing to deliver second-class letters just three times a week.

Many have greeted the news with dismay. But allowing Royal Mail to drop its basic commitments has implications beyond the justifiable frustrations of habitual letter-writers.

Four health bodies have told The Telegraph that millions of people missed medical appointments in 2022-23 owing to late delivery of letters, and warn that this will only deteriorate further under Royal Mail’s proposed new plans. While NHS managers have stressed the importance of digital technology in improving services, a huge number of letters are sent each day and they will remain a necessity for those without internet access or computer literacy.

Non-attendance cost the NHS over £1 billion every year but it is the effect on health outcomes which is of graver concern. Patients have long suspected that their welfare is a second order issue, and may not be assuaged by the news that consultants have agreed a pay deal worth up to £20,000 after nearly a year of walkouts. Without productivity gains, will their substantial wage increase mean cuts elsewhere, and how might this compromise patient safety?

With an ONS survey this week indicating the NHS waiting list could be much longer than previously thought, it can ill afford more missed appointments. Both the NHS and Royal Mail must uphold their obligations.

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