The Isle of Wight’s MPs have responded to a report highlighting a dire situation with long waits for essential Island health services, with each MP blaming the other’s party for the problems.
Richard Quigley, Isle of Wight West MP and Joe Robertson, Isle of Wight East MP shared their thoughts on Healthwatch Isle of Wight’s November to December Intelligence Report, which quoted one resident saying it was ‘nigh on impossible’ to secure a face-to-face GP appointment.
The watchdog collected feedback on the Isle of Wight’s health and social care services which was 51% negative, 5% mixed or neutral and 44% positive.
Key points raised by residents include long waits for an appointment at their GP practice, long waits in A&E though positive feedback for staff and struggles contacting some community pharmacies to confirm their opening times.
Richard Quigley (Labour) has said:
“Firstly, I would pass on my thanks to all NHS staff that are working under extreme pressure and still providing the best care they can.
“I met with Healthwatch last week, so unfortunately the report comes as no surprise. Over a decade of underinvestment in primary care and the increased burden on GPs practices hasn’t built a service fit for the 21st century.
“This Labour government is committed to training and recruiting thousands more GPs and ending the 8am phone call lottery which I know affects most Islanders.
“Community pharmacies are also key to the well-being of Islanders and the Health Secretary is outlining his plan to help pharmacies in the coming weeks. I have a good relationship with Wes Streeting and I’ll continue to work with him.
“What is clear is the previous hollowing out of services has left us in a dire situation across the country, but particularly on the Island.”
Mr Quigley added he was committed to working with colleagues across government and community leaders and stakeholders to rebuild primary care and other NHS services on the Island.
Joe Robertson (Conservative) said:
“Long waits for GP appointments and extended delays in A&E are two of the biggest issues raised with me since becoming an MP.
“Online appointments with a GP should be complementary to, not a replacement for, face-to-face appointments.
“Unfortunately, increasing taxes on GP surgeries through National Insurance rises in the recent Budget has placed further pressure on GP surgeries and is a step backwards.
“As a member of the cross-party Health and Social Care Select Committee, I am trying to improve support for health services, particularly those outside hospitals and in the community which are often overlooked.”
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight has been approached for comment.
The No Hope Service (NHS) is finished
Too many employees have bled the system dry.
Sick pay is through the roof, some staff work from home
etc etc.
It doesn’t matter how much money is pumped into the
NHS, the damage is done.
Face facts!, it needs changing.
There was an excellent GP system unplaced until 2005. Then Bliar decided to give GPs a massive pay rise and cut down their hours. Gone downhill since.
Ah, anyone remember good ol’ Seely, and his burning ambition to introduce Telemedicine, in spite of the fact we all said at the time it would effectively reduce staff and face to face appointments? He ignored us all in order to give big money a sporting chance to make even more from the contracts. They always do. Did you know that globally, big money has increased its wealth in direct proportion to the rest of us getting poorer, sicker, and having reduced services. Guess which arm of the political spectrum advocates for that to continue the most? (hint: it ain’t Labour)
The so called Elite are de-populating, health as always
been about costs.
The Conservatives bled the NHS dry, limiting ivestment and diverting money to their friends in privatisation schemes. The result was not just a broken NHS but decimated numbers of doctors and nurses and noprovision for training those who might replace the people who had left. The Labour government is trying to rebuild but you don’t train doctors and nurses in five minutes – it takes years. Anyone who expects results after six months is living in la-la land.