The most expensive sticking plaster in history!

Labours' 10-year NHS plan was a missed opportunity for the Government to break from years of Conservative neglect, which left our NHS broken.

There is much in these plans that Liberal Democrats can support. The rollout of neighbourhood health centres and a shift towards preventative care are good steps towards a more efficient and sustainable health service, as well as investment in NHS dentistry.

But you can’t fix the NHS without addressing the elephant in the waiting room - the social care crisis, which only got a passing reference.

Hospitals and their staff are at breaking point because people can’t get the care they need at home. With bed blocking leading to patients waiting in corridors and ambulances waiting outside hospitals. Local Liberal Democrat campaigning and responses to our Residents Survey shows over 60% of residents are worries about ambulance wait times.

It’s time the Government stopped kicking the can down the road and restarted cross-party talks, so the social care review can be completed this year, rather than in 2028.

Without fixing social care, this NHS plan could be the most expensive sticking plaster in history.

I also fear that current progress on GP recruitment will only scratch the surface.

We’re urgently calling on the Government to boost GP numbers by 8,000 through incentivising experienced GPs and nurses to return, providing more opportunities for junior doctors, and increasing training facilities.

This would be geared towards giving patients a legal right to see their GP within seven days or 24-hours if in urgent need.

And lastly, while digitisation can boost efficiency in our NHS, we can’t leave the elderly or disabled behind, as well as those who can’t afford the means to access the NHS app. There was no additional support for these groups outlined in the 10-year plan.

Friend, with an ageing population and many GP practices already at breaking point, these plans could simply be treading water rather than delivering the change people are crying out for.

The Government should have more ambition and not hide away from the tough decisions, such as those on social care.

Please join the Liberal Democrats today to support the bold actions needed to save our NHS.