'Medway's MPs urged to back GP and dentists rescue plan in King’s Speech amendment;' - say local Liberal Democrats
- Medway Liberal Democrats are calling on our local Conservative MPs to back an amendment to the King’s Speech to address the crisis in the NHS
- The amendment calls for a legal right for a patient to see their GP within a week and an NHS dentists rescue plan
- It comes as NHS waiting lists have hit a record high of 7.8 million
Medway Liberal Democrats are calling on our 3 Conservative MPs to back an amendment in Parliament this week calling for a GP and dental care rescue plan.
It comes ahead of a series of crunch votes on the King's Speech in Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday 15 November).
The Liberal Democrat amendment would give a patient a legal right to see their GP within a week, and within 24 hours if in urgent need. It also calls on the government to publish a dental recovery plan as promised seven months after a shocking rise in the number of ‘dental deserts’ leaving people struggling to see an NHS dentist.
Another measure in the amendment includes ensuring the Conservative manifesto pledge of building 40 new hospitals is met, with many currently facing delays and not receiving adequate funding.
Stuart Bourne, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Medway, said: “This Conservative government has brought our local health services to their knees. Everyday, people in Medway are struggling to get a GP appointment or cannot find a dentist taking NHS patients.
Real action on the NHS was glaringly missing from the King’s Speech. Our MPs need to back the Liberal Democrat amendment to it and ensure that local health services are put front and centre of the government’s agenda.
Anything less would show a callous disregard for those in Medway stuck on NHS waiting lists, unable to get the treatment that they deserve.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Liberal Democrat amendment to the King’s Speech can be found here (amendment n).