Priti calls for action on health centre
Witham MP Priti Patel has called on the Government to help ensure a new multipurpose healthcare centre in Witham is delivered. During a debate she held in the House of Commons she highlighted to Health Minister Steve Brine MP the need for a new healthcare centre to provide services and meet demand and the widespread support for it. Priti also called on the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and the Town’s GPs to reach agreement on the project after it emerged this month that some of Witham’s practices may not be fully supportive of the proposals.
As well as the healthcare centre in Witham, Priti raised concerns about GP provision in Tiptree, the poor way Virgin has managed services at Silver End, primary care across the constituency, the pressures on NHS services caused by new developments, and integration of health and social care services. The recent news on the police update into the investigation of mental health services and the CQC judgement on domiciliary care provider Allied Healthcare was also commented on by Priti.
Speaking after the debate Priti said about the healthcare centre in Witham:
“We need the new healthcare centre delivered in Witham Town as a priority. It will help meet growing demand and bring new services into the Town. It is widely backed but I am disappointed to learn in recent weeks from the Clinical Commissioning Group that not all local GPs are signed up. It remains unclear how this situation has emerged as I had previously been advised that three of the practices were on board.”
“But it is time to stop dithering and put the needs of local patients first. The CCG and local GPs must make progress on this project and I have pressed the Government to make sure this happens. With the Government investing record amounts of money into the NHS it is important that we get our fair share in this part of Essex and the opportunity to finally get our healthcare centre cannot be missed.”
Commenting on the Silver End surgery, Priti said:
“The management of the surgery in Silver End by Virgin has been appalling. Residents are constantly complaining about delays in getting appointments and to add insult to injury Virgin are getting paid 60% more per patient than other practices. This reward for failure must stop and the Government needs to intervene ensure services at Silver End improve and change the management if necessary.”
On the other health issues raised, Priti added:
“Growing demand and demographic change is increasing pressures on our health services. I was pleased to raise these issues with the Minister as we need to see action to increase local GP numbers, secure more investment in new health services from developers, and more integration of health and social care.”