NURSES and doctors with bad backs will get free private healthcare to help them return to work and treat patients, Labour today announces.
Wes Streeting struck the deal with Nuffield Health as part of his plan to slash NHS waiting times.
The manifesto promise was enshrined in Labour’s pledge card, which was launched earlier this week.
The Tony Blair-esque card laid out six ‘first steps’ which Labour say they will deliver on in a first term if they win the election.
Writing exclusively in today’s Sun on Sunday, Mr Streeting said voters can boot Labour out of No10 if they fail to deliver on their promises.
He said: “If we haven’t delivered after five years, then you can kick us out. We’re asking you to give change a chance.”
Labour’s shadow health secretary vowed to get the NHS “working around the clock to cure sicknote Britain”.
A record 198,000 working days were missed by NHS staff last year because of arthritis, knee, hip and joint pain.
Mr Streeting said: “In a vicious cycle, record numbers of doctors and nurses are off work with back and joint pain while they wait for treatment, making waits even longer.
“Labour has agreed a partnership with charity Nuffield Health, who will provide joint pain rehab for 4,000 NHS staff a year free of charge.
“We will get NHS staff back to work, so they can put Britain back to work.”
