Working with GPs and rebuilding our hospital.
I’ve made it a priority to visit all of the GP practices in our constituency. One of the biggest challenges they face is the increased demand for appointments – up by ~20% since 2019. Health anxiety is higher than before the pandemic, although overall health outcomes are still very good in our area. GPs often tell me they need more space in their surgeries to see patients if they are to meet that demand.
The health secretary has agreed to meet with me and local GPs to discuss their plans for estate expansion, following my question on this topic in the House of Commons chamber.
At the Spending Review in June, the Chancellor announced a 3% annual funding uplift for the NHS. This £29bn extra a year will help improve care and keep bringing down the waiting list, which has now hit its lowest level in two years!
In 2024, the Health Secretary announced a fully funded, fully costed, allocation of £2bn for a new state-of-the-art hospital in Reading. Earlier this year, the government announced funding for the hospital to scope out potential sites for the new hospital. Alongside my fellow Reading Labour MP colleagues, Matt Rodda and Olivia Bailey,I continue to push for quick action to secure a site for the new development, which we hope will be confirmed by March 2026.
