Matt Chorley's Urgent Questions Has Wes Streeting got rid of NHS Fax Machines yet?
8 snips
Jan 8, 2026 
Wes Streeting, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, updates on the NHS's move away from fax machines, revealing that only a few trusts are still clinging to them for operational reasons. Katie Perrier, a former political spin practitioner, shares the intricacies of briefing for unpredictable calls with figures like Trump, while Luke Sullivan dives into the effectiveness of political buzzwords. The panel explores the balance between catchy slogans and meaningful policies, emphasizing the importance of message consistency.
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NHS Fax Machines Nearing Extinction
- Wes Streeting reports only three NHS trusts still use fax machines and two have plans to phase them out within 12 months.
- He accepts limited retained fax use for cyber-incident contingencies but aims to remove the last machines soon.
Public Pledges Shape Private Habits
- Wes Streeting ties personal fitness goals to public accountability and media scrutiny.
- He uses public pledges and routine to try to change habits amid a demanding role.
Sturgeon’s Surreal Trump Phone Call
- Luke Sullivan recounts Nicola Sturgeon taking an unexpected call from Donald Trump in a Glasgow constituency office.
- The call was surreal and followed by a panicked call from Mike Flynn asking to erase or control the incident.
