The chief executive of two major NHS hospitals has warned that the UK’s health service is facing an “existential threat” amid growing political pressures, saying the current climate represents the most challenging period he has seen in nearly five decades of service.
Nick Hulme, who leads the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which oversees Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, made the remarks during his final meeting of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB) on Tuesday. Hulme is set to retire in December, concluding a 46-year career in the NHS.
Outgoing CEO Says NHS Faces Its Hardest Moment
Addressing senior health officials, Hulme said: “We are facing, I think, the most difficult time in health and care. I think there’s an existential threat to the future of the NHS. I genuinely believe that. And I’ve never said that before.”
He added that the political environment, growing polarisation, and the rise of groups “that don’t believe in the NHS” pose serious risks. Hulme urged NHS leaders to avoid “giving them ammunition” during a time when public confidence and political support for the health service are under intense scrutiny.
Concerns Over Political Shifts and Long-Term Sustainability
The 65-year-old warned that shifting political attitudes could have long-term consequences for the NHS’s future direction. While he called the health service “the greatest thing about living in this country,” he also acknowledged that operating as a state-run monopoly carries risks, particularly when it comes to delivering long-term improvements and innovation.
His comments come at a time when the NHS is under renewed pressure, with sustained winter demand, workforce shortages, overdue reform discussions, and financial strain prompting national debate about the shape and sustainability of the UK’s publicly funded health model.
Legacy of Leadership in Suffolk and Essex
Hulme has led Ipswich Hospital for 13 years and took over Colchester Hospital in 2016. Two years later, he oversaw the merger that created ESNEFT, now one of the largest trusts in the region. During Tuesday’s meeting, he received tributes from senior health leaders who praised his decades of service and contributions to improving care across Suffolk and Essex.
Despite the recognition, Hulme used his final public platform to issue a stark warning about the risks he believes the NHS now faces, stressing the need for careful leadership as political pressures intensify.
Background: NHS Facing Mounting Pressures
His remarks align with growing concerns across the UK. NHS Providers and the British Medical Association have recently warned that chronic underfunding, workforce pressures, and political volatility are reshaping the landscape of health and social care. England’s waiting lists remain historically high, and debates over NHS reform and funding have taken centre stage in Westminster as the government prepares new strategies for system-wide change.
