THE Shadow Health Secretary says he was “horrified” after hearing about health inequalities in Colchester.

Speaking exclusively to the Gazette during a visit to Colchester today, Wes Streeting stated he fears the worst is yet to come as NHS waiting times hit record highs.

NHS figures reveal 65,000 patients at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals in Colchester, Ipswich, Harwich and Clacton, are waiting for treatment.

Mr Streeting paid a visit to Greenstead Community Centre, in Hawthorn Avenue, where he spoke with councillors and residents who raised grave concerns.

The MP said suicide rates in the town rung major alarm bells for him and pledged to do all he could to support the town.

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He said: “The worst is yet to come, the Government themselves are acknowledging it. We know the NHS waiting lists are going to get worse, not better.

“When I spoke with people at the community centre, they were all scared about the impact of rising bills and cost of living crisis.

“We’ve got people in Colchester with chronic health conditions made worse because they can’t afford to turn the heating on so they are sitting in cold flats – this is not acceptable in the 21st century.

“There are really high levels of suicide in Greenstead which we need to take a serious look at. With money being such a pressure for people at the moment, it is likely these rates will rise.

“To be honest, I was pretty horrified when I saw how big the health inequalities are in this town.”

The MP added he will be using his position to raise Colchester’s case in Parliament, after being left concerned following his visit.

He added: “One of the big problems is Greenstead residents don’t have access to a good GP surgery, they effectively have an outpost.

“If they get referred to the main practice they have to get two buses. It’s fine for me on my salary, but how is someone living in one of the poorest parts of Colchester going to be able to fund this?

“Health issues are only going to get worse while it’s like this, I’m afraid.”