Access to Primary Healthcare

Helen Morgan Lib Dem

North Shropshire

The crisis in primary care is costing the economy due to people being unable to work while waiting for appointments. Helen highlights the need for an additional 8,000 GPs and the fall in GP funding by £350 million since 2019. She also discusses pharmacy closures, NHS dental issues affecting children's oral health, and the importance of investment in primary care.

Adrian Ramsay Green

Waveney Valley

Ramsay supports the call for urgent evaluation of pharmacy funding to address the high number of hours lost per pharmacy, impacting older people and rural communities hardest.

Tim Farron Lib Dem

Westmorland and Lonsdale

Farron notes that only a third of medical school graduates seeking GP positions can find jobs due to funding mechanisms inherited from the previous government, leading to a loss of potential GPs.

Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem

North East Fife

Chamberlain highlights the need for proactive action by the Government in securing continuity of supply for medications such as those for ADHD, which some constituents have been waiting over a year to receive.

Lisa Smart Lib Dem

Hazel Grove

Smart suggests learning from good practice elsewhere, like reallocation of existing funding in Greater Manchester that has made new dental appointments available for those struggling to find dentists.

Caroline Nokes Con

Romsey and Southampton North

Order. Before I call the Minister, I must respectfully point out that a huge number of Members wish to speak, and that interventions from Members will only eat up the time available to colleagues and, in some instances, themselves. I call the Minister, Karin Smyth, to move the amendment.

Karin Smyth Lab

Bristol South

The Labour MP acknowledges the urgency of addressing primary care issues but criticises the previous government's funding cuts, workforce shortages, and failed attempts to reform healthcare. She highlights significant declines in public satisfaction with general practice and outlines plans for recruiting more GPs, expanding pharmacy services, tackling dental crises, and reducing bureaucratic burdens on healthcare professionals.

Ben Coleman Lab

Chelsea and Fulham

Questions Caroline Johnson about the Labour Government's achievements after 14 years in power, criticises the Conservatives for leaving the country with the longest waiting lists ever and children needing to see their rotten teeth at A&E. He asks why there was a failure of 14 years of Conservatism.

Wes Streeting Lab

Ilford North

Asks Caroline Nokes if she has been naughty or nice, implying critique of her conduct.

Mike Martin Lib Dem

Tunbridge Wells

Questions why the previous government shifted funding from secondary care to primary care despite saying they would do the opposite.

Ellie Chowns Green

North Herefordshire

Asks for a response regarding the shadow minister's stance on an issue, but no detailed contribution is provided in the given text.

Laura Kyrke-Smith Lab

Aylesbury

Discusses the challenges faced by her constituents in accessing GP services due to new housing developments without adequate healthcare facilities and high levels of deprivation. She emphasises that the problems are not caused by patients or GPs but by a broken system inherited from the Conservatives. Laura highlights early steps taken, including ending junior doctor strikes and recruiting 1000 more GPs. She outlines three areas for necessary focus: expanding community care services, improving technology in healthcare systems, and emphasising prevention in public health.

Layla Moran Lib Dem

Oxford West and Abingdon

The challenges facing the NHS are no secret. I highlight reports from the previous Committee on dentistry, pharmacies, and the GP crisis, which point to overstretched GPs and frustrated patients. The British Medical Association reports an average of 2,282 patients per GP. Solutions include increasing the number of fully qualified GPs, embracing digital health solutions, focusing on prevention, and ensuring continuity of care within GP practices.

Luke Evans Con

Hinckley and Bosworth

I was a member of that Committee. One of the key things we want to see is the ability to join up the IT side, so having a place to share technology is really important. For example, there is no centre of excellence for setting up appointment systems. A single point of expertise would be valuable.

James Frith Lab

Bury North

I commend the Government on resolving the doctors’ strike and making announcements for a decade of national renewal. The underfunding of primary care has led to significant health inequalities, with Bury North seeing up to 43% child poverty in three wards. I urge specific interventions to address these deep health inequalities and shift care closer to home. The funding formulas are outdated and an update is long overdue.

Beccy Cooper Lab

Worthing West

Public health interventions cost only a quarter of the amount that clinical interventions do to add an extra year to life expectancy, so does my hon. Friend agree that the reduction of the public health grant was an appalling false economy and should be restored, as soon as finances allow, to at least 2015-16 levels of funding?

Caroline Nokes Con

Romsey and Southampton North

The Darzi report highlights that since the late 2000s, despite the so-called left shift to community care, hospital spending has risen. Currently, 58% of NHS budget goes towards hospitals compared with 47% in the late 2000s. GP trainers feel worn out at the end of each day and primary care practices are closing due to insufficient staffing. The report makes clear that prioritising community-based healthcare is necessary, but it must be backed up by action. There were 2,000 hospital admissions daily for issues treatable elsewhere last year.

Ellie Chowns Green

North Herefordshire

The Darzi report highlighted that the NHS is underfunded and too focused on acute services. Investment in preventive healthcare and primary care is essential to shift focus from hospital-centric care towards community-based solutions. The Green Party urges the Government to ensure billions of pounds are invested in the NHS, with a mechanism to protect funding for primary and community care, ensuring long-term health benefits.

Deirdre Costigan Lab

Ealing Southall

In Ealing Southall, 10% have diabetes higher than London and UK averages, with emergency hospital admissions 47% above the England average. Constituents report difficulty getting GP appointments or face-to-face consultations, often seeing different doctors for long-term conditions like diabetes. North-west London has a GP to patient ratio of 1:2,268—worse than the UK average. The Labour party criticises Conservative management of the NHS over 14 years, calling it damaging and costly with no lasting improvements.

Ian Roome Lib Dem

North Devon

The speaker thanked his supporters, discussed the natural beauty of North Devon and its challenges like low wages and housing shortages. He pointed out stark differences in life expectancy and education levels within the constituency. The speech also mentioned the need for investment in healthcare services, including a new hospital programme, and highlighted local businesses such as Accord Healthcare and Systems Engineering and Assessment.

Andrew Lewin Lab

Welwyn Hatfield

Lewin emphasised the critical condition of the NHS after 14 years of Conservative government. He pointed out disparities in life expectancy within his constituency, blaming the previous government for these issues. The speaker discussed the need to reform primary care and highlighted innovative services like Hospital at Home run by East and North Herts NHS trust.

Llinos Medi PC

Ynys Môn

Medi addressed the struggle of accessing healthcare in Wales, noting record-high waiting lists for hospital treatment and a severe shortage of dentists. She mentioned the opening of a new medical school at Bangor University and called for a dentistry school to address the lack of dental care providers. The speaker also questioned the Welsh Government's stance on allowing patients from Wales to receive NHS treatment in England.

Natasha Irons Lab

Croydon East

The NHS is the most unifying public service in Britain, serving everyone regardless of background. The previous government's mismanagement has led to a crisis with over 2.8 million people struggling to contact a GP monthly and under-18 waiting lists reaching record highs. Children are among the sickest in Europe due to high obesity and mental health rates. Labour pledges to fix these issues through Lord Darzi’s report recommendations, investing £82 million for primary care and recruiting 1,000 GPs.

Martin Wrigley Lib Dem

Newton Abbot

Welcoming constituents’ support and proud to represent Newton Abbot, an area rich in history, nature, and culture. Expresses concern about climate change impacts on coastal infrastructure like Dawlish’s rail system, advocating for reduced fossil fuel use. Discusses local healthcare challenges including hospital bed shortages and the cancellation of a planned health centre due to budget constraints. Highlights the importance of community-focused care models as seen at Teignmouth Hospital.

Dave Robertson Lab

Lichfield

Highlights the issue of Burntwood health and wellbeing centre closure due to centralised decision-making by NHS England, leaving over 5,000 residents without local GP services. Criticises the delay in replacing facilities and calls for reforms to empower local organisations to deliver better solutions. Acknowledges the need for long-term fixes after years of mismanagement.

Tom Gordon Lib Dem

Harrogate and Knaresborough

The speaker discusses the importance of primary care within the NHS. He highlights personal experiences, historical context, and local significance, emphasising the role of healthcare in times of need. The speech includes discussions on tourism, cultural events, and local landmarks such as the Harrogate Convention Centre and Knaresborough’s famous castle.

Alice Macdonald Lab Co-op

Norwich North

Alice Macdonald acknowledges the challenges faced by primary care providers under Conservative governments. She highlights Labour's commitment to improving NHS funding, including a 10-year plan and investments in GP recruitment. The speech also addresses dental deserts in Norfolk and calls for improved access to free NHS dentistry for pregnant women.

Al Pinkerton Lib Dem

Surrey Heath

Al Pinkerton discusses the postcode lottery faced by constituents in Surrey Heath regarding access to primary care services. He highlights issues with dental deserts and inconsistent GP practices, emphasising the need for efficient communication systems and accessible booking methods. The speech also commends local pharmacies and calls for a commitment to train and recruit GPs.

Beccy Cooper Lab

Worthing West

The Darzi review highlights the impact of austerity and pandemic pressures on primary care, underscoring the need for reform. Primary care is vital for prevention and treatment. The Royal College of General Practitioners supports three key areas: a long-term workforce plan with proper funding, a mixed model of GP provision to improve service integration, and a national retention strategy to address high GP turnover rates, particularly in deprived areas.

Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem

Stratford-on-Avon

NHS dental access issues are severe in Stratford-on-Avon. Residents face long waits or must travel far to see an NHS dentist, resorting to DIY interventions or paying privately. This has significant health implications, with many children missing appointments. The Liberal Democrats propose investing in additional appointments and reforming the dental contract for better access.

Danny Beales Lab

Uxbridge and South Ruislip

The NHS promise of universal care is broken due to 14 years of Conservative government. Waiting lists are high, patient satisfaction is low, and health outcomes for cardiovascular disease and cancer have worsened. The Government's focus on digital transformation, community-based services, and preventive care is welcomed. Primary care investment must increase, with £82 million committed to recruit more GPs. Dental access issues and pharmacy support need addressing too.

Luke Taylor Lib Dem

Sutton and Cheam

The NHS needs urgent fixes due to the crisis in primary care access. Patients face appointment shortages, leading them to seek emergency care, straining facilities further. GPs are overstretched and struggling with mental health issues, affecting retention rates. Budget increases for surgeries are needed along with training place incentives to retain experienced staff.

Jennifer Craft Lab

Thurrock

Jennifer Craft reflects on the current state of GP services in Thurrock, highlighting the high ratio of patients to GPs and the community's response to healthcare challenges. She emphasises the need for preventive care and community-based models. She also discusses the threat of closure faced by Orsett hospital and criticises the Conservative government’s failure to deliver promised neighbourhood health hubs.

Liz Jarvis Lib Dem

Eastleigh

Liz Jarvis raises concerns about the acute NHS dental crisis in Eastleigh, citing statistics on child and adult access to dental care. She discusses issues such as dentist shortages due to Brexit and the inadequacy of the dental contract system. Jarvis calls for increased investment and an emergency rescue plan for NHS dentistry.

Alex McIntyre Lab

Gloucester

Alex McIntyre addresses the challenges faced by primary care services in Gloucester, particularly focusing on GP access and dental issues. He welcomes the Government's focus on prevention and praises their efforts to tackle red tape and recruit more GPs. McIntyre stresses the importance of family-friendly policies for workforce retention.

Sarah Gibson Lib Dem

Chippenham

Sarah Gibson highlights pressing issues in NHS primary healthcare in Chippenham, including the closure of a dental practice and delays in opening a medical centre. She calls on the Government to urgently review the NHS dental contract system to address shortages.

Peter Prinsley Lab

Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket

The last Government neglected general practice, leading to exhausted GPs leaving the profession early. We will recruit more GPs and move care out of hospitals into communities where GPs will provide various services. We must improve IT systems for GPs and connect them with hospital records. Scientific advancements offer optimism, and we must support general practice as it is crucial.

Edward Morello Lib Dem

West Dorset

Community pharmacies in West Dorset are delivering healthcare services but facing funding issues that could lead to closures. Pharmacies face losses of £43,000 annually due to an outdated funding model. The funding system does not account for higher operating costs in rural areas and fluctuating medicine prices. I urge the Government to re-evaluate this model to support pharmacies as they are a vital lifeline for many.

Chris Webb Lab

Blackpool South

Life expectancy is extremely low in Blackpool, with people twice as likely to wait more than a year for non-urgent treatment. Poor housing and income contribute to mental health issues; there are high rates of diagnosed severe mental illness, suicide, and intentional self-harm. The 154-bed modern hospital is oversubscribed, leading to long waiting times in A&E. Empowering charities like Counselling in the Community can offer better support at a lower cost.

John Milne Lib Dem

Horsham

GP access crisis in Horsham has led to surgeries filling up quickly, with staff spending time saying no to frustrated patients. This leads to a spiral of decline where demoralised staff leave and replacements are scared off. Integrated care boards should take a holistic view but this is not happening yet. Studies show that seeing the same GP over 15 years can reduce mortality by 25%. Let us give GPs space to do their job properly.

Joe Morris Lab

Hexham

Rural communities have suffered from health services being hollowed out for 14 years, making it difficult for people to secure GP appointments. Five out of seven dentists in the constituency are not accepting new patients, especially in western parts of Newcastle. This crisis impacts families and mental health, leading many to switch to Labour due to their inability to get healthcare. We need to rise to this challenge and support GPs who work tirelessly.

Steffan Aquarone Lib Dem

North Norfolk

Primary care crisis in North Norfolk includes waiting four weeks for non-urgent appointments, oral health deterioration, and medicine supply concerns. Residents in Blakeney are losing their rural branch surgery despite efforts to save it. A small surgeries fund is needed for financial stability. The dentistry crisis in Norfolk is significant; the Secretary of State described Norfolk as a Sahara of dental deserts. Progress has been made with the integrated care board, but challenges remain due to lack of public transport infrastructure and high property prices.

Danny Chambers Lib Dem

Winchester

Mental health initiatives in Winchester involve local NHS mental health services working with Citizens Advice to address socioeconomic problems contributing to poor mental health. For every £1 spent, about £40.06 is saved in costs. Community mental health hubs could proactively engage with at-risk demographics such as veterans and new mothers. Long waiting lists for secondary care referrals exacerbate primary healthcare issues.

Ian Sollom Lib Dem

St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire

Primary care funding model in Cambridgeshire fails to account for growth, leading to a gross injustice. Mechanisms are needed to pump-prime areas of growth for new services commissioning ahead of time. Continuity of care is beneficial for patients and NHS services; Cambridge University study showed older patients benefit most from seeing the same doctor repeatedly.

Chris Coghlan Lib Dem

Dorking and Horley

The NHS dental contract punishes dentists for overperforming, making it difficult to meet patient demand. Dentists are leaving the NHS due to financial loss; one dentist quit as an NHS provider because treating patients cost more than received under the contract. Children suffer most from lack of access to affordable high-quality dental care.

Joshua Reynolds Lib Dem

Maidenhead

In Maidenhead, a GP health hub was cancelled due to rising costs and interest rates. This leaves a gap in healthcare infrastructure as thousands of new homes are being built without matching GP facilities. Local walk-in urgent care centres have closed temporarily during the pandemic and remain closed despite community efforts. The lack of accessible primary care affects residents' ability to receive timely medical attention, leading to longer wait times at major hospitals.

Caroline Voaden Lib Dem

South Devon

Services in South Devon have been severely neglected by the Conservative Government, leaving it one of the worst dental deserts. NHS dentists across Totnes, Dartmouth, Brixham, Paignton and South Brent have closed, forcing residents to rely on expensive private dentists. The average wait time for registering with an NHS dentist in Devon and Cornwall is 1,441 days or four years. There are currently no dentists taking on new NHS patients in a constituency of over 300 square miles. Liberal Democrats urge the Government to renegotiate the NHS dental contract and support preventive healthcare.

Anna Sabine Lib Dem

Frome and East Somerset

In Frome and East Somerset, only 42% of children were seen by a dentist in the past year compared to an English average of over 55%. The Darzi review revealed that only about 30-40% of NHS dental practices are accepting new child and adult registrations. This leaves many with no option but private dentistry, pushing them further afield due to lack of public transport. Constituents have been unable to see an NHS dentist for four years, contributing to broader health issues and potential long-term impacts.

Olly Glover Lib Dem

Didcot and Wantage

In Didcot, the growing population has not been matched by an increase in GP, dentist or pharmacy services. A site is ready to be developed into a GP surgery but local NHS bodies struggle to provide necessary resources. Frustration with this issue was a major factor in recent elections. Early morning telephone rushes are required for GP appointments and online booking is challenging. Dentists receive insufficient funding for NHS patients leading to dominance of private dentistry. Mental health services, particularly child and adolescent services, are under strain. Urging the Government to recognise that improving access to primary healthcare will relieve pressure on A&E and enable earlier diagnosis.

Freddie Van Mierlo Lib Dem

Henley and Thame

GPs are pillars of the community but are in crisis due to Tory failures, leading to soaring waiting times and industrial action. Practice nurses, mental health professionals, healthcare assistants, social prescribers, and receptionists face significant challenges including wage constriction and declining numbers.

Claire Young Lib Dem

Thornbury and Yate

Strains in one part of the primary care system have knock-on effects in others. The community pharmacist's example illustrates how changes to GP surgeries impact local pharmacies, leading to reduced preventive services and increased pressure on GPs and hospitals.

Gideon Amos Lib Dem

Taunton and Wellington

There is a severe lack of NHS dentistry in Somerset and Devon, with more than half the children not having access to an NHS dentist last year. The dental contract needs urgent repair to address this issue.

Max Wilkinson Lib Dem

Cheltenham

GP waiting times are often too long in Cheltenham, and there is a dentistry desert with no dental practices taking new NHS patients. A&E pressure has increased due to people's inability to get GP and dentistry appointments.

Lee Dillon Lib Dem

Newbury

West Berkshire experienced a 31% increase in four-week waits for GP appointments last year, compounded by the lowest pharmacy provision in the country. There is a need to address the current governance model for partner GP surgeries and ensure leases are assigned to NHS bodies.

Ben Maguire Lib Dem

North Cornwall

Congratulated those who made maiden speeches and criticised the Conservative Party for their record on NHS. Emphasised the dental desert issue in his constituency, highlighting that one in five dentists have left since 2019. Described a case of Phoebe, a child suffering from tooth decay due to lack of access to an NHS dentist, leading to hospital admission and weeks off school. Urged for immediate reform of NHS dental contracts.

Clive Jones Lib Dem

Wokingham

Discussed the lack of local primary care provision in his constituency, citing a specific area growing by thousands but lacking GP services. Criticised Conservative funding cuts and poor workforce planning leading to fewer GPs and higher patient-to-GP ratios. Requested the Minister's view on including primary care infrastructure in national planning policy framework as suggested by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Monica Harding Lib Dem

Esher and Walton

Highlighted struggles with accessing primary healthcare due to underfunding and resource neglect. Described a constituent's experience of cancelled GP appointments not rescheduled after a month, indicating systemic issues in timely access to care. Emphasised the need for enshrining a seven-day appointment guarantee into NHS constitution. Criticised Conservative failure to recruit and retain GPs despite a growing and ageing population, leading to increased patient-to-GP ratios.

Jessica Brown-Fuller Lib Dem

Chichester

The Liberal Democrats have dedicated today’s debate to the topics of carers, provision of care, and the NHS. The speaker highlights that the NHS was once a model for the world but is now in crisis due to years of Conservative mismanagement. She mentions Lord Darzi's report indicating underfunding in primary care services leading to unnecessary hospital admissions. In her constituency of Chichester, residents are concerned about accessing GPs and the public’s trust has been eroded. The Liberal Democrats pledge to recruit 8,000 more GPs to ensure everyone sees a GP within seven days or 24 hours if urgent. She also calls for investment in dental care, reforming the NHS dental contract, and supporting preventive dental care through public health grants.

Stephen Kinnock Lab

Aberavon

Labour Members deal with facts and the unvarnished truth regarding the neglect and incompetence of the last 14 years, such as children aged five to nine being admitted to hospital due to tooth decay. They also highlighted the decrease in GP numbers by 1,500 compared to seven years ago, a collapse in patient satisfaction from 80% to 35%, and more than 1,000 pharmacies shutting since 2017. Labour pledged to recruit additional mental health workers, introduce specialist mental health professionals in schools, and implement supervised tooth brushing programmes for children in deprived areas.

John Slinger Lab

Rugby

He agreed with the Minister's stance on shifting services into the community and highlighted a local example of a hospital ward closure due to improved patient care closer to home, illustrating how this approach is crucial for managing demand and putting the NHS on a sustainable footing.

Munira Wilson Lib Dem

Twickenham

She emphasised the need for more GPs with decent premises and criticised the bureaucratic complexity of obtaining new facilities, such as Park Road surgery in her constituency which serves 13,000 patients from an old Victorian house. She urged the Minister to commit to reducing bureaucracy and pressing the Chancellor for increased capital investment in primary care.

Amanda Martin Lab

Portsmouth North

She commended the current government's urgent action, including commissioning the Darzi report and investing £82 million, alongside commitments to improve dentistry services, utilise pharmacies more effectively, and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.

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