I will enhance public services, understanding the pressures they are under and campaigning to improve services such as efforts to back our community hospitals, fix our roads and tackle rural crime.
Our public services are some of the most important elements in our communities that we depend on. From transport links that enable us to see loved ones and travel to work, to the emergency services that are there for us we need it most. Alongside the national picture is our day-to-day experience in South Shropshire. The waiting list for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB has increased by 12,000 compared to 2023. This is why we must continue to focus on patient access, including in rural areas, as part of plans to build an NHS fit for the future.
I know what it is like to rely on our local public services, especially with five children. Securing £312 million for the Hospital Transformation Programme in Shropshire was a fantastic achievement for our last Conservative MP, Philip Dunne. This is what it looks like to champion local public services, and I will endeavour to continue Philip's fine work on this issue.
75% of libraries are located in urban areas, leaving many rural residents dependent on travel or mobile services. Almost half of rural convenience stores are the only shop in their community, underlining their importance as lifelines.
Shropshire has secured an extra 7,408 “urgent care appointments”, after it emerged that 1 in 4 patients who tried to see an NHS dentist in the past 2 years were unable to do so. I am clear, however, that a focus is needed on workforce training and retention as well.
The £2.6 billion Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has seen more than £12 million invested across South Shropshire to support businesses and communities including a capital retrofit of Highley Health and Wellbeing Centre to improve the community facility.
As part of my plan for South Shropshire, I am dedicated to delivering the funding and support needed to enhance public services across the constituency. I am pleased that Shropshire Council has been rated as ‘good’ for adult social care by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We should always strive for the best quality in our county’s social care services. So, I will continue to work with the Council to ensure everyone has strong access to local adult social care and support.
If we keep this pattern going we can continue to improve our public services to secure their long-term future. I will champion all the many issues we face in South Shropshire, especially in areas such as public transport and health services.
As Member of Parliament for South Shropshire, I am committed to:
Listening to what public services improvements you need;
Supporting the needs of our services by raising the profile of South Shropshire in Parliament;
Delivering the funding and support needed to enhance public services across the constituency.
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