By keeping our economy strong we’ve been able to support our NHS since 2010. But because of the Brexit deadlock it recently hasn’t had the attention it deserves.
Our local healthcare is one of my highest priorities and a lot has already been achieved. I welcomed the extra £6.5 million for the South East Coast Ambulance service and I have supported the strengthening of Medway Hospital which has received £18 million for a brand-new emergency department. Medway and Maidstone hospitals will receive an upgrade for cancer testing and detection technology with funding for new breast screening equipment, CT and MRI scanners.
My focus is working with our local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to improve accessible GP services and mental health provisions across the constituency.
We’re revitalising our NHS by:
- Confirming our commitment to deliver the biggest cash boost ever for the NHS. We are delivering £33.9 billion more for the NHS by 2023-24, with an initial £6.2 billion increase this year.
- Upgrading 20 hospitals and building 40 new ones, ensuring extra funding for the NHS goes straight to the front line. We are providing £850 million for 20 hospital upgrades, £2.7 billion for the first six new hospitals plus seed funding for the further 34 hospitals to progress their projects.
- Boost mental health services to ensure everyone receives the care they need. £2.3 billion of the £33.9 billion funding boost for the NHS will be spent on mental health services – improving services with a focus on prevention, community services and young people.
- Supporting the NHS workforce to continue delivering world class care. We have announced a £210 million funding boost for frontline NHS staff, including a £1,000 personal development budget for every nurse, midwife and allied health professional to support delivery of our NHS Long Term Plan. There are already over 17,100 more doctors than in May 2010, and over 16,900 more nurses on our wards.
- Renewing efforts to improve vaccination uptakes and restoring the UK’s measles-free status. We have outlined a series of measures to encourage vaccination programmes, including strengthening the role of immunisation professionals, addressing parental concerns and misinformation around vaccinations and delivering a comprehensive strategy this autumn to eradicate measles, mumps and rubella.
