Seeing a GP should be easy, but for many people locally it hasn’t felt that way since the pandemic - and the same goes for accessing NHS dental services.
I regularly work with our local GPs, dentists, and pharmacies to help increase the number of appointments locally, and this was supported by important reforms from the previous government. GPs have been delivering 10% more appointments than before the pandemic, and to continue increasing capacity, we began changing the way we deliver primary care.
That’s why, earlier this year, the Conservative government introduced the Primary Care Recovery Plan. This plan is modernising primary care with new technology, reducing bureaucracy, and empowering community pharmacists to play a larger role, including prescribing some medicines for the first time. This was set to be followed by the Dental Recovery Plan, aimed at ensuring everyone can access essential dental care in the future.
But we are no longer in government. That said, I remain dedicated to ensuring these improvements take effect locally. I will continue meeting with pharmacists, local NHS representatives, and GPs to discuss how these initiatives are progressing and where the new government can support local services effectively.
If you’re still facing challenges seeing your GP or finding NHS dental care, please let me know. While I might not be able to resolve issues immediately, the data on where the issues are is going to be a huge help. I’ll be keeping a close eye on how the new government addresses these priorities and will hold them accountable to deliver for our community.
