LOCAL MP Sarah Dyke is calling on the government to reverse the NHS spending cuts and invest in fixing local hospitals, hiring more staff and ensuring patients “get the treatment they deserve.”
NHS waiting lists in Somerset have hit 53,381, up from 36,685 when Rishi Sunak made his pledge to cut them at the start of last year. NHS data also reveals that the number waiting over a year for treatment has risen by 734 since the prime minister made his waiting lists pledge to 2,575.
It comes as the government slashed funding for the NHS despite waiting lists growing compared to last year, says Sarah. The Autumn Statement revealed that the NHS budget has been cut by £3.5 billion (2.1%) in real terms this year, and is set to fall by another £1.3 billion (0.8%) next year.
“These shocking figures show far too many people in Somerset are being left waiting endlessly in pain for treatment,” she said. “People deserve a local health service that delivers the care they deserve when they need it.
“One year on from when Rishi Sunak promised that waiting lists would fall, thousands of people in our community are still stuck on waiting lists with their lives put on hold or unable to work.
“Now this government is set to do the unthinkable and slash NHS funding even further. Local health services are in crisis but Conservative ministers either don’t get it or don’t care.
“It shows the Conservative Party cannot be trusted with the NHS. We need a general election now so voters in Somerset can finally get rid of this out-of-touch Conservative government and elect more Liberal Democrat MPs who will stand up for local health services.”
