Speaking in East Yorkshire on Thursday, Starmer criticised the former Conservative government's decision to make NHS England more independent, arguing that it had resulted in unnecessary bureaucracy and inefficiency.
"It was a mistake for the last Conservative government to make NHS England more independent of central government.
"Decisions about GBP200 billion (US$259 billion) of taxpayer money -- money that is spent on something as fundamental to our security as the NHS -- should not be made by an arm's length body, but by a government that is directly accountable to the people," he said.
Starmer also questioned the effectiveness of the current two-tier oversight system, arguing that it diverts critical resources away from frontline care.
"I can't, in all honesty, explain to the British people why they should spend their money on two layers of bureaucracy.
"That money could and should be spent on nurses, doctors, operations and GP appointments," he said.
Under his proposal, NHS England would cease to exist as an independent governing body, with its functions absorbed into central government.
Starmer claims the move will streamline decision-making, cut red tape, and direct more resources to patient care.
"This is about cutting bureaucracy across the state. We need to focus the government on the priorities of working people and shift money to the front line. That's where the funding is needed," he said.
The practical implications of the proposal remain unclear, with many in the health sector awaiting further details.
Critics may question how the transition from NHS England's management to direct government control will impact local decision-making and healthcare effectiveness, particularly in regions that have long advocated for greater autonomy in service provision.
-- BERNAMA
