I recently launched a local survey on the NHS and adult social care crisis and the impact that it was having in my constituency.

I am delighted that so many people have taken part already. Here are the results so far:

• Nearly 7/10 respondents feel that the NHS locally is getting worse while just 4/100 say it is improving.
 
• Around half can mostly get a GP appointment when they need one, but over a third never can.
 
• 8/10 think GPs should offer more appointments at evenings and weekends.
 
• 8/10 are extremely worried about funding for adult social care.
 
• 85% think if adult social care were better funded it would reduce pressure on the NHS.
 
• 2/3 think the government should fund adult social care, 1/5 thinks there should be a new tax, like National Insurance, 2/100 think the council should pay.
 
• Lots of people mentioned closure of day centres and respite care as huge problems for their family and very mixed experiences at A&E and GP centres.
 
While I’m glad the Chancellor gave more money for adult social care in the budget it was a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed – the government cannot keep taking money away from local councils and expect them to be able to keep the same services running. Personally, I think the only way to resolve this issue is a huge cash injection to reorganise the NHS and adult social care into one organisation to limit layers of bureaucracy and simplify end to end care. One thing is sure, we cannot budget less and less money with people living longer with more complex conditions. Something has to change.
 
I’ll keep campaigning for fair funding.

If you are a constituent and haven’t taken part in my NHS and Social Care survey yet, please click here;

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbw8JtpM35JmOYn1ghqTl0VVrg0Iy8cGSCwL9UfxwAYKvN4w/viewform