I was absolutely delighted by the Labour government’s announcement that two Southampton GP surgeries, Brook House and Hill Lane, are among a thousand nationally to receive funding for a bricks-and-mortar upgrade to their premises. By creating more usable space, this drive to modernise and refurbish practices is a ‘quick win’ and will unlock more appointments for residents.
Right now, many GP surgeries could be seeing more patients, but don’t have enough room or the right facilities to accommodate them. From creating new consultation and treatment rooms to making better use of existing space, these quick fixes will help patients be seen faster.
The national programme in its entirity represents the biggest investment in GP facilities in five years and is only possible because of the difficult but necessary choices made by the government in the Budget, allowing an extra £26 billion investment in the NHS.
We all love our NHS, and fixing it is the number one issue raised with me on the doorstep. Residents have told me of their frustration with the dreaded ‘8am scramble’ and the huge difficulties they have in getting a GP appointment. I myself have found it impossible to be seen and got sicker whilst waiting.
Labour promised to bring back the family doctor and we have so far recruited 1,500 new GPs nationally. We also said we would fix the front door of our NHS and, today, Southampton is benefitting from the biggest investment GP facilities have seen for years with two local practices, Brook House and Hill Lane, receiving crucial bricks-and-mortar upgrades. This much needed investment will create more capacity for appointments locally, beginning to ease pressure and improve access to services.