NHS Funding: South-west

The Liberal Democrats believe that people deserve better access to care and are introducing plans to invest early in community health services, GPs, pharmacists, and dentists.

Discusses funding issues in Cornwall, including a £108 million cost improvement which is seen as a budget cut, and highlights value-for-money projects like the Helston Gateway project.

Appalled at the Chancellor’s spending review, highlighting crumbling hospitals in North Devon and cuts to bus routes affecting cancer patient access to Derriford hospital. Proposed a rural fund for GPs, dentists, and pharmacists.

It is much more expensive to provide services in rural areas than in urban areas due to factors such as footfall for pharmacies, which struggles with reaching the national payment threshold.

The hon. Member discusses the need for efficient use of NHS funding, particularly in underserved regions like the south-west. She questions how efficiencies worth £9 billion will be achieved and expresses concern over the restructuring of ICBs.

NHS Dorset is being asked to cut staff by 50% on top of previous cuts of 30%. The trust has requested £14 million in additional financial support but remains £22 million short of its funding target. There is a pressing need for capital investment in digital infrastructure.

The hon. Member raises concerns about patient access to ADHD assessments in Plymouth, questioning whether some GPs are blocking access through shared care agreements.

Highlights the pressures on Musgrove Park hospital due to closures, with staff facing extreme conditions. Agrees that NHS staff are crucial.

Supports Steve Darling's initiative and asks about potential savings through administration in the south-west trust area.

Discussed funding allocations for Devon and Cornwall, exceeding regional averages. Mentioned the debt write-off for NHS England in Torbay's constituency.

Welcomed the investment of £100 million for rebuilding the emergency department and critical care unit at Dorset County Hospital, emphasizing its importance in driving down waiting lists.

Highlights the crisis in GP funding, noting that practices are struggling due to inadequate global sum and quality outcomes framework payments.

Welcomes comments on ICB mergers, noting unique challenges for Devon and Cornwall. Emphasizes the importance of considering local specifics like rurality and deprivation.

Addressed funding shortfalls in GP practices and dental deserts in coastal west Somerset. Emphasized the need to provide locally based training colleges for healthcare professionals.

The Devon Integrated Care Board is not funding fertility treatment in line with NICE guidelines, limiting women under 40 to only a portion of one cycle rather than the full three recommended cycles. This creates a postcode lottery for patients.

ICB funding formula overemphasises the size of each ICB and the registered population but does not account sufficiently for age-related costs, which vary by region. Asked if the Minister would give way.

Expressed concerns over the difficulty of getting GP appointments and NHS dental care. Suggested that pay increases must come with improved productivity and service quality.

The Government has recruited 1,700 new GPs and delivered 3.5 million new appointments, reducing waiting lists by over 200,000. Dorset ICB has seen significant improvements with extra urgent dental appointments and a public health grant increase.

Points out that independent sector providers have capacity but are not being fully utilised, leading to wasted slots for NHS patients.