The Liberal Democrats have called on Robin Walker MP to support the party's amendment to the King's Speech regarding NHS waiting lists.

The Lib Dems are urging Walker, Worcester's Conservative MP, to back their proposed changes, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis in the NHS.

The amendment, debated in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday, November 15), calls for a patient's legal right to see their GP within a week, and within 24 hours if urgently needed.

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It further calls for an NHS dental rescue plan to reduce the 'dental desert' crisis, which has left many struggling to access an NHS dentist appointment.

This push comes as waiting lists for NHS treatment have hit a record high, with 7.8 million people currently awaiting care.

The Lib Dems hope their amendment will secure not only the right to prompt GP visits but also the government's commitment to a dental recovery plan, and their pledge to build 40 new hospitals.

Lib Dems in the Worcester constituency have said failure to back the amendment by Walker would demonstrate "a callous disregard for those in Worcester stuck on NHS waiting lists".

The party's area spokesperson, Cllr Mel Allcott, has said: "This Conservative government has brought our local health services to their knees.

"Everyday, people in Worcester 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.

"MP Robin Walker needs to back the Liberal Democrat amendment to it and ensure that local health services are put front and centre of the government's agenda."

 

Walker has responded to the party's urging, sayig: "I very much support improving NHS dentistry in Worcester and have been in regular correspondence both with the Department of Health and the local ICB to encourage more dentistry provision as well as better access for face to face appointments at GP surgeries."

"Both services will benefit from the substantial increases in staff training through the NHS long term workforce plan, which is mentioned in the Kings Speech."