Chichester’s MP says 10-year NHS plan was a “missed opportunity” to break from years of Conservative neglect

Jess Brown-Fuller MP has said that the 10-year plan for the NHS announced by the Government risks being a “missed opportunity” to rebuild local health services, after social care was treated as “barely an afterthought”.

Criticising the plan’s approach to social care, Jess warned that it would not solve the issue of overcrowded hospitals.

Jess took the opportunity to call on the Government to commit to investing in 8,000 more GPs in order to cope with the ageing population, and to accelerate their review into social care so it can be completed by the end of this year, rather than the three years currently scheduled.

Jess said:

“Today was a missed opportunity to break with the years of Conservative neglect that pushed our NHS to breaking point. Social care was barely an afterthought, with hospitals bursting at the seams because people can’t receive the care they need at home. We needed a real plan to address the crisis, not just a passing comment.

“Whilst plans to boost GP numbers are welcome, the figures quoted will only be enough to just about keep up with demand. With an ageing population, we need to get ahead of the curve by increasing GP numbers by 8,000.

“The Government is showing an unwillingness to rise to the challenge and take the action needed to rebuild our local health services, so that people here in Chichester no longer have to wait weeks on end for a GP or struggle to find a dentist.

“I will continue to push ministers every step of the way until they deliver on their promise to move care from hospitals to the community and fix the crisis in social care. Only then will we see the meaningful change that people in Chichester are crying out for, and that can rebuild our local health services.”