LABOUR has been urged to invest in the national health service after a survey found that 64 per cent of NHS organisations expect to cut services this year.

More than half — 57 per cent — said that they expected to reduce clinical staff this year, a NHS Alliance poll published today has revealed.

Sir Ciaran Devane, chief executive of the membership body formed from the merger of NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, claimed that the health service was starting to turn a corner after a long period of decline.

But its survey of leaders of NHS trusts and integrated care boards “also shows that the focus on targets and delivering record efficiency savings have come at a cost, with many hard-won gains now at risk, he warned.

“Local NHS leaders point to likely service closures and job cuts this year, as well as deteriorating staff morale.”

The survey found that three in four warned that finances would be even tougher in 2026-27 compared with the previous 12 months, 64 per cent expressed concerns about patient experience and more than eight in 10 said that they worried about the impact of financial measures on planned care.

More than nine in 10 said they worried about staff morale.

Another poll of GP leaders, which included 48 responses, found that 96 per cent were concerned about the impact of financial measures on day-to-day access.

Unite union general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Putting the NHS on the road to ‘austerity mark II’ won’t get the NHS off its knees. Who pays the price? Everyday people and their families.

“This is not acceptable under any government, let alone a Labour government.”

Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “If the government wants to demonstrate it’s listening to voters and is serious about delivering the change they want to see, it needs to fully back the NHS.

“The public are well aware that understaffing is a major problem, so they’ll be rightly alarmed at further evidence that severe cuts are likely this year.

“Reducing services and slashing staff sends exactly the wrong message. Failing to invest properly now risks a doom loop, with increased workloads leading to burnout, sickness and more staff leaving.”

Keep Our NHS Public co-chair Dr Tony O’Sullivan said: “Wes Streeting has served up chaos, disruption, demoralisation and 25,000 job cuts on a plate of bullying by abolishing NHS England by 2027 and slashing funding of integrated care boards. The true legacy for the NHS left by his resignation is revealed by this stark research from NHS Alliance.

“In partnership with [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves, he has forced two thirds of trusts in a financial straitjacket to plan service cuts and tens of thousands of job losses. There will be an escalation of outsourcing as trusts and care boards seek further cost cutting.

“With GPs also struggling financially, there is no way the 7.1 million waiting list can be addressed other than further ‘data cleansing,’ ‘validation’ and ‘technical adjustments.’ The toll of avoidable deaths in emergency care will continue by failing to address this crisis and social care.

“Incoming Health Secretary James Murray may throw praise at Streeting’s retreating back, but he must change course radically if he wishes to restore the NHS and the health of the population.”

The British Medical Association began balloting senior doctors on industrial action this month. Resident doctors have a strike mandate until August.