The NHS is our most valued public service and the Labour Party's proudest achievement. As the future of the NHS is increasingly called into doubt by populist politicians, it is more important than ever that we implement the reform and provide the funding that's needed to get it back on its feet.
That's why we've made this our foremost priority, delivering millions more NHS appointments than had been planned and hiring thousands more GPs already.
But there's much more to do. The Health Secretary recently published league tables rating NHS trusts to improve standards and help the public make informed choices. York Hospital ranked among the lowest, which is hugely concerning to those of us who live in Selby. I'm regularly engaging with local medical providers to advocate for people across Selby and Kippax who've experienced issues with their care.
For instance, I recently helped a constituent who faced a nearly 50-week wait for a surgery consultation. After I raised her case with the Trust, they were seen within a week. This case highlighted broader concerns about inconsistent data sharing between hospitals and clinics, particularly across county lines, so I contacted every healthcare practice in our constituency to gather data on wait times and referral processes. I then met with the Health Minister, who confirmed that feedback from Selby and Kippax will be shared with NHS England officials working on reforming elective care. The Government's aim is to meet the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard by March 2029.
In July, the Health Secretary announced a 10-Year Health Plan to secure the NHS’s future. This includes three major shifts: from hospital to community care, bringing services closer to people’s homes; from analogue to digital, using technology to free up staff and empower patients; and from sickness to prevention, catching issues earlier and making healthy choices easier.
We're also legislating to improve the care people receive. For instance, the recent Rare Cancers Bill will increase the accessibility of rare cancer research and ensure that NHS patients are at the front of the queue for cutting-edge treatments. Cancer care is improving, with waiting times for an urgent cancer referral dropping.
I’ll keep fighting for the NHS to get the support it so clearly needs, listening to local voices and relaying concerns to the Government. If you have questions about healthcare policy, please email me—I'm always happy to help.