COLCHESTER’S MP has said she has already met with the health secretary to discuss the NHS as a major government commissioned report says 14,000 deaths were very likely to be caused by long waiting times.
Colchester Liberal Democrats have said the Lord Darzi report into the state of the NHS, commissioned by health secretary Wes Streeting, must be "a wake-up call" for the government to rescue health and services in the city.
The report said the NHS is in a "critical condition" and that in June 2024, more than 300,000 patients – 15 times as many in March 2010 – had waited more than a year for hospital procedures.
Colchester Liberal Democrat spokesman Martin Goss said: “In recent weeks and months we have heard from countless people who are suffering from endless waiting lists, or struggling to see an NHS dentist or GP when they need to.
“The top priority of this new government must be fixing our NHS so people can finally get the care they deserve.”
Labour's Pam Cox said since becoming Colchester MP she has already met with Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health, and other health ministers, to discuss local NHS issues.
Ms Cox said: “After 14 years of failure with the Conservatives it will take time to put things right.
“Back in 2010 the Tories and Liberal Democrats wasted time and money on reorganisation instead of improving actual services. Labour was elected to fix the country and get NHS waiting lists down."
She added: “The Government has committed to a new workforce plan and will cut NHS waiting times, delivering 40,000 extra appointments.
“Wes Streeting has visited Colchester a number of times, including Colchester Hospital, and has spoken with local frontline staff and health leaders. He is well-aware of the challenges here and I’m working with him and his team to begin to solve them.
“The NHS can’t stand still and like any organisation will need to reform to make the most of new technologies and treatments.
"We also need to do more to ensure people are healthier to begin with to reduce pressure on services.”
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