The health and wellbeing of my constituents is a top priority. I am working hard to secure better investment for local services so that we can further improve the quality of services and patient outcomes. I am also promoting ways we can all take better care of ourselves - by choosing healthy food options, staying active, and looking after our mental health. I want all of my constituents to know that I am here to help and support them.
Levelling Up Local Services:
- I want to ensure local people can access health care closer to their home. I am pleased that, as part of our Long Term Plan for the NHS, investment in primary and community care is set to receive at least £4.5 billion more a year by 2023/24.
- This is one of the largest uplifts in the £33.9 billion increase to NHS England’s budget by 2023/24. Since September 2018, the number of medical school places has been increasing by up to 1500 more student places a year and record numbers of doctors are now specialising as GPs.
- Our new funding will deliver 50 million extra general practice appointments a year, an increase of over 15 per cent.
- A further £2.3 billion a year will see an additional 345,000 children and young people a year accessing NHS-funded mental health support.
Supporting Carers and Social Care:
- I recognise the significant contribution that is made by careers of all kinds, and I have called on the Government to do more to ensure that they are supported.
- The main cash benefits for those caring for disabled people is Carer’s Allowance, and the carer premium payable with means-tested benefits which includes a carer element. There are around 1240 carers in Wolverhampton South West claiming Carers Allowance. In 2019/20, the value of support was approximately £4.3 million.
- I am pleased that the City of Wolverhampton Council has also received £14.3 million from the Improved Better Care Fund to deliver services that better integrate health and social care and delivers help for local people and carers. Further support for carers can be found on my website here.
Improving Public Health:
- We are determined to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation - tackling obesity and improving mental health. As someone who has suffered from poor mental health, I am dedicated to doing more on this subject and I have produced a guide with useful tips and information. Local authorities have also received more than £3 billion to tackle head on the greatest health challenges this country faces.
- I want to see more tailored and preventative care, closer to home. The Government has committed £15 million to fund prevention activities like debt advice, carers support, outreach to people facing loneliness and isolation, youth projects, and community groups for those most affected by COVID-19 including minority ethnic communities
