Standing up for our NHS

What are your priorities for the NHS?

I believe everyone should get the care they need, when they need it, where they need it. Rather than simply firefighting crisis after crisis, I'm pushing for investment now that will save taxpayers' money in the long run. My plan tackles the NHS at both ends: fixing primary care and public health at the front door and fixing the social care crisis at the back door.

What are you doing about GP waiting times?

Far too many people in Chichester are waiting far too long to see a GP, and it's having direct consequences for people's health. Since January 2025, nearly 294,000 appointments in West Sussex involved waits of over 28 days, more than double the figure from five years ago. That's simply unacceptable.

I'm calling for an emergency package to save our GP services, including a dedicated fund to reopen surgeries, a 24/7 booking system via 111, and a recruitment and retention drive to bring in thousands more family doctors. Every patient should have the right to be seen within seven days, or within 24 hours if it's urgent.

What would you do to improve access to GPs more broadly?

I'm backing Liberal Democrat plans to bring in 8,000 more GPs, guarantee everyone the right to a GP appointment within seven days (or 24 hours if urgent), and ensure that everyone over 70 or living with a long-term condition has access to a named GP.

What are you doing about NHS dentistry?

I'm campaigning to end the "dental deserts" that leave so many people without access to NHS dental care. No one should be resorting to DIY dentistry. I want to guarantee access to an NHS dentist for everyone who needs urgent or emergency care.

What are you doing on mental health?

I'm pushing for mental health hubs for young people in every community, and for regular mental health check-ups at key moments in people's lives when they're most vulnerable. The goal is simple: earlier access to support, and shorter waits.

What about social care?

The social care crisis is one of the biggest pressures on the NHS, and it needs urgent cross-party action. I'm calling on the Prime Minister to lead cross-party talks and ensure the government's social care commission delivers recommendations within a year.

I support free personal care, a higher minimum wage for carers, and a new Royal College of Care Workers to improve recognition and career progression. I'm also pushing for more respite care, paid carers' leave, and a Young Carers Pupil Premium to better support young carers in school.

What are you doing on public health?

I want to see investment in public health that helps people spend five more healthy years of their lives. That means reversing the cuts to the public health grant made by the Conservatives since 2015 and establishing a dedicated Health Creation Unit in the Cabinet Office to tackle health inequalities across government.