New surgical hubs to address NHS backlogs

Today the government has announced the opening of 50 new surgical hubs, backed by £1.5 billion, delivering millions more operations to bust the backlogs in our NHS and ensure everyone gets the care they deserve.

• The pandemic put unprecedented strain and pressure on our health service and is it right that we bust the backlogs and ensure every patient can access and receive the care they deserve.

• So it is fantastic news that the government will deliver over 50 new surgical hubs that will provide at least 100 more operating theatres and 1,000 more surgical beds,  providing almost two million extra routine operations over the next three years – reducing waiting times and offering one million patients waiting for surgery access to vital procedures. This is in addition to the 91 surgical hubs already open.

• These vital beds will be ring fenced for planned operations, reducing the risk of short-notice cancellations, giving patients peace of mind and ensuring they receive the care they deserve.

• £188 million of the money will be coming here to the North West, where it is expected to provide more than 150,000 operations over the next three years and an additional 70,000 outpatient appointments.

Social Prescribing

This week the government is launching a new trial for GPs to issue social prescriptions including walking and cycling, helping to improve the mental and physical health of people across England. 

Social Prescribing has been used very successfully here in Copeland and both Cumbria County Council and Copeland Borough Council have worked with the Cumbria NHS to support it in the county

• Walking and cycling have many benefits – improving air quality in our communities, reducing congestion on our busiest streets and boosting mental and physical health so we can ease the burden on our NHS.

• That is why this week sees the launch of a nationwide trial that will see GPs offering social prescriptions including walking and cycling – backed by £12.7 million in funding that will go towards pilot projects including adult cycle training, free bike loans and walking groups.

• By getting people moving more through trials like this one, we can improve their health and reduce stress, prevent illnesses including heart disease and obesity, ease the burden on the NHS and save money for the taxpayer by making people healthier.

Health secretary announces measures to prepare our hospitals for the autumn and winter

Today the Health Secretary set out what steps his Department is taking to prepare our NHS for the autumn and winter months ahead – ensuring that our NHS is ready and prepared for upcoming challenges so that everyone gets the care they deserve. 

• The autumn and winter months always bring additional challenges for our NHS, and we all know that the next few months in particular will bring serious challenges.  

• So I was pleased to see that the Health Secretary has set out today how his Department is preparing for the autumn and winter months, including boosting the NHS workforce, addressing delayed discharge and working on a ‘pharmacy first’ model to help ease pressure on our hospitals’. 

• The government needs to take action now to prepare for the upcoming months to ensure everyone can access the health and care services they need and deserve, and I was encouraged by today's statement indicating that they are indeed setting out the measures needed to do so.