Students quiz Keir Starmer over NHS fears

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting took questions from students in Worcester

Student paramedics were given the chance to quiz Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting over their NHS concerns during the Labour leader's visit to Worcester.

Sir Keir held a Q&A session at the Three Counties Medical School where he explained his plans to reduce waiting lists and recruit more doctors.

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, he said the current waiting list of nearly 80 million was "unforgivably high".

Student paramedic Katherine Pingree, a Green Party member, said: "They said all the right things and it was reassuring, but there was a lack of real, true actuals of what is actually going to happen."

Fellow student paramedic Ali Asghar asked Sir Keir about the growing wait times within the NHS, which the Labour leader said would be addressed by offering overtime.

Mr Asghar then asked if that would lead to burnout but he was told there would be incentives put in place to ensure that did not happen.

"It was a nice feeling, it was a good answer," said Mr Asghar.

Katherine Pingree said Sir Keir's visit had been "reassuring"

Amee Grimstead, also a student paramedic, said: "It was nice to recognised and they are trying to do something for us to keep us in the NHS."

Addressing the media after the Q&A, Sir Keir said: "We need more training in place for doctors in places like this university.

"I am really pleased with the progress they have made in quite a short period of time."

Mr Streeting, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, added: "Our plan to deliver an extra 40,000 appointments every week will put £1bn in the pockets of NHS staff.

"We recognise staff deserve a much fairer deal than they have had under this Conservative government."

He also said he had been "honest" with striking doctors and said although Labour could not provide a 35% pay rise, he would be willing to negotiate.