The Prime Minister’s promised to “fight day and night” for the NHS.
He’s been setting out how he plans to deliver two million extra appointments by the end of next year to slash waiting lists in England.
MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire, says she was “delighted” to see Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting at Epsom hospital today.
Although Ms Maguire didn’t join the official visit, she was onsite to intensify her campaign for urgent modernisation at Epsom Hospital and to seek the green light for the building of the emergency care hospital in Sutton, which she has been campaigning for since the general election last year.
Helen Maguire, MP for Epsom & Ewell said:
‘While I am delighted that the significant elective care backlog in Epsom will be reduced, we cannot ignore the fact that emergency care is in urgent need of support as well. Almost 200,000 12-hour ‘trolley waits’ have been recorded since Labour took office last July. These figures are shocking and urgent measures are needed to address this dangerous situation. Thousands of patients who are well enough to leave hospital can’t be discharged because social care is in crisis. With thousands of people waiting longer than 12 hours in hospital corridors on the Prime Minister’s watch, the need for social care reform is even more pressing. A three-year review just won’t cut it. This winter we’re seeing the consequences of inaction for our NHS yet again. After years of disastrous neglect of our health and care services under the Conservatives, patients and NHS staff deserve better.’
‘In Epsom and Ewell, the situation needs to be addressed urgently. We cannot ask our dedicated NHS staff to deliver world-class care in crumbling facilities. We must ensure that Epsom and St Helier Hospitals are at the front of the queue for necessary repairs and that the new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton is at the top of the priority list. Our community deserves modern, safe, and high-quality healthcare.’
‘The reforms announced today have the potential to begin to repair the NHS, ensuring our health care system can continue to deliver outstanding care for the next generation. Whether it’s keeping care within communities, using the latest digital tools to improve efficiency or empowering our GPs to make direct referrals- these promises must be implemented effectively to create meaningful change.’
‘‘I am committed to holding the government to its promises, and to ensuring that Epsom and St Helier hospitals, and the people of Epsom & Ewell, Ashtead and Leatherhead see real, tangible benefits from the discussions held here today.’
