MPs' call for investment to tackle the many issues confronting county's health system

SOMERSET MPs have pushed for more NHS funding across the South West following the conclusion of the government's spending review.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local democracy journalist

Somerset is currently juggling multiple health crises including the delayed upgrade to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, the loss of stroke and maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, a dearth of NHS dentists across the county, funding pressures on local pharmacies and rising demand in adult social care.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP announced a £29bn boost for the NHS in her spending review statement on Wednesday, June 11 including £10bn for technology and digital transformation in a bid to deliver more GP appointments and cut waiting lists.

But Somerset's MPs have warned that more funding alone will not solve the myriad problems facing the county’s health services, calling for increased investment in recruiting and retaining staff.

The government has said it is committed to delivering significant improvements in patient care across the UK, while also delivering value for money on every major project.

Several Somerset MPs spoke out on the subject during a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, June 11, organised by Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay.

He opened the debate by stating: “The NHS was one of the key themes on which my party fought the general election. We knew the NHS was a shambles, but we did not know the challenge that would face the new government when they came to power.

“The minister for care [Stephen Kinnock MP] highlighted that the money for the new hospital programme ran out in the March just gone, and there was a £6.6bn hole in the programme's budget. It was a real challenge for the new government, but equally, their ‘waves’ approach has caused real concerns in hospitals across the south-west and in our communities.”