YOUR MP WRITES (From Worcester News)

YOUR MP WRITES

9:10am Thursday 3rd July 2008 in

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Sixty not out – the NHS is going well. This week the NHS celebrates its 60th birthday. Despite opposition from the BMA, a Labour government created a world’s first.

A health care system which was free at the point of care. Gone were the days of paying to see a GP, or more commonly, not having access to decent health care.

In 1997, Labour were elected to save the NHS – and it has. Locally, we planned for, funded and delivered a new hospital after 40 years or more of being on a promise.

For many patients, the Victorian Castle Street building, or the out-dated Ronkswood hospital, are now a distant memory.

Primary care has also been saved. There are three new super-surgeries in Worcester – home to dozens of GPs and other health care professionals.

In 2004, the Worcester News campaigned vigorously for these to be funded by the Government. I backed this campaign, as did local GPs, and it was successful. Now thousands of patients visit state-of-the-art primary care facilities too.

Waiting times for in-patient operations, out-patient care and for treatment at the A&E are all falling to hit Government targets.

Gone are the waits measured in years for treatment. By the end of this year, 18 weeks will be the maximum waiting time from GP referral to treatment. Ten years ago that was only guaranteed at a private hospital, charging huge fees.

Of course, true to form, the investment that made this possible was opposed by the Conservative Party. And history repeats itself, with the BMA opposing some of our more recent proposals to increase the number of GPs available for patients to see.

We are funding a further expansion of GP care, with a new GP-led health centre in Worcester.

It will provide access from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, for anyone to use. People can stay with their regular GP, someone who knows them and their medical history, but they can still use the new GP service.

In many ways it is similar to how people use the out-of-hours GP service based at the hospital. The new health centres will provide a walk-in service, as well as the opportunity to pre-book appointments at a time that suits the patient.

In time, I hope that the BMA change their mind, just like they did towards our NHS.

And finally, in congratulating the NHS on reaching 60 not out, I’d like to pass on my thanks and support to all those who work in the local NHS. Your dedication and care is what makes the NHS unique and invaluable.