Yesterday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid MP made a headline speech outlining his vision for the NHS: a service that focuses on prevention and diagnosis and that aims to identify and treat conditions early. The speech coincides with the publication of a letter from the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin CCG confirming that the Princess Royal will retain a 24/7 urgent care centre following the Future Fit reorganisation. Lucy has warmly welcomed this announcement as the result of years of campaigning.
It is crucial that healthcare spending focuses on prevention and diagnosis to reduce demand on health services, whilst ensuring everyone has convenient access to GPs and urgent care.
Lucy Allan MP said:
"I welcome confirmation that the A&E local at PRH will be 24/7 - which needed to be publicly clarified. It is hard to understand why it’s still not possible to define what is meant by critical care and what services will be delivered via the A&E local. I will continue to seek the answers my constituents need.
Better healthcare is about prevention, early diagnosis and access to care close to home. This means delivering better primary care and ensuring easy access to GPs.
The Health Secretary set out his plans for reform of the NHS today at a keynote speech at Royal College of Physicians and it is clear that his focus is not about spending more and more on hospital care. The model we have currently is unsustainable and it is crucial we move towards a preventative approach to healthcare.
The future is about prevention, personalised care and performance in driving down avoidable diseases and health inequalities.
Listening to that speech today it’s difficult to see how the proposed Future Fit model fits in. The NHS is moving forward and better health and health outcomes is what matters most and what I want to see for my constituents."
