Today, Lucy attended an urgent care summit with key NHS clinicians and with Shropshire MPs, Philip Dunne, Helen Morgan and Daniel Kawczynski to agree an action plan to tackle the crisis in response times.
The multiple causes of ambulance waiting times in Shropshire clear demand a systemwide solution. The MPs in attendance spoke of their constituents who have suffered waiting many hours for an ambulance to arrive, often at times of medical emergency.
It was acknowledged that Shropshire has some of the longest ambulance response times in the country, and contributing factors include delays in the transfer of patients to wards, the difficulty many residents have faced trying to access their GPs, or waiting for surgery - which then becomes a critical situation through lack of treatment.
Lucy Allan MP said:
It is clear that the situation in Shropshire is worse than in other regions, so I welcome this joined up approach to finding a solution and agreeing an action plan.
Some residents have faced as much as a 24-hour wait for an ambulance to arrive. This situation has become dangerous. I will have the opportunity to raise this with Secretary of State next week when he attends the Health Select Committee on Tuesday, 7th June.
This is the most important issue facing our area at this time. Residents need to be able to rely on a safe ambulance service. The delays are indicative of the multiple challenges we face in our area and the system is dangerously close to grinding to a stand still, despite the best efforts of staff.
I am pleased that the ambulance service and the NHS are treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves. it was clear that it is an immediate priority for everyone who attended the summit ably chaired by Sir Neil McKay, Chair of the Shropshire NHS Integrated Care System.
I will continue to work with the NHS and fellow MPs to ensure everything possible done to improve this deeply concerning situation.
