Local MP welcomes fresh start at York Hospital
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Selby MP Keir Mather visited York Hospital last week, and met with Clare Smith, the new Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust who joined the organisation in November. It follows positive news about falling NHS waiting lists, which now stand at their lowest level since 2023. Mr Mather, many of whose Selby constituents rely on York Hospital, visited the site both to hear from the new Chief Executive about her plans for the Hospital, and to represent the views of his constituents who rely on it.
In the visit, the MP had an insight into the patient journey at the Hospital - including a tour of the minor and major injuries wards - and witnesses the new, streamlined operations system. Prior to Clare Smith's appointment, York Hospital's leadership recognised that there was 'significant work to do' as it looked to improve services, and Mr Mather welcomed the opportunity to relay the views and concerns of Selby residents who have recently used the hospital.
Following the meeting, Keir reflected on the current state of the NHS and of the work ahead, saying:
"Whenever I speak to people in Selby, it's obvious that fixing the NHS is one of their top priorities. The reduction of waiting lists we've seen since the General Election is extremely welcome, and is a testament to the hard work of NHS staff and of the Government's investment in the service, but I know that there's a huge amount more to do. That's why I was pleased to visit York Hospital this month, where I heard about the efforts of its new leadership to improve care, and about the ongoing challenges with A&E wait times and corridor care.
"In the meeting, I made the anxieties of many of my constituents clear, and I'm grateful to the Chief Executive for her willingness to engage with these. One element of the Government's ten-year plan for the NHS is moving healthcare closer to home, rebuilding neighbourhood services and enabling a return to the family doctor model which I know many people across Selby sorely miss. The Trust is working hard to deliver this, and to make sure that more services can be delivered by the fantastic staff at Selby War Memorial Hospital.
"As the local MP, and as a Selby resident myself, fixing the local NHS is one of my top priorities. I'll always be a voice for my constituent's concerns, and I'll keep working with local NHS leaders, including at York Hospital, to help deliver the change we want to see."
