For too long, our NHS has been under immense pressure. Here in Basingstoke, hundreds of families have shared with me their struggles—from waiting months for diagnostic tests to the frustration of postponed surgeries and ongoing battles to secure GP appointments. The reforms our government is bringing forward offer real hope and real solutions.
READ MORE: Gazette launches petition to government to build new Basingstoke hospital urgently
(Image: UK Parliament) Under Labour’s plan, Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) like the one at Basingstoke Hospital will expand their operating hours to 12 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that more of us in Basingstoke can access crucial tests, scans, and X-rays at times that work around our lives. No more choosing between a hospital visit and work or family commitments.
The Prime Minister also announced the creation of new surgical hubs, specialising in high-demand operations such as cataract removals and knee replacements, which are expected to deliver 500,000 more appointments a year nationally. For our town, this means faster access to treatments and less time in pain or discomfort.
One of the most exciting changes is empowering local GPs to refer patients directly for diagnostic testing at CDCs. This will save time, cutting out the “jump through hoops” approach that getting a diagnosis currently requires. At the same time, we’ll be cutting wasteful spending, making sure that every penny that goes into the NHS from taxpayers is well spent on delivering the fastest and highest quality care possible.
Labour’s 2024 financial settlement for GPs, investing an extra £889 million on top of the existing budget for general practice, marks a significant shift in prioritising primary care and bringing back the family doctor by incentivising GPs where patients see the same doctor at each visit.
This month, I will host a roundtable with primary care providers in Basingstoke to discuss the government’s plans to expand resources for local GP services, ensuring quicker and better access for patients. I am also regularly engaging with the local NHS Trust, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and ministers in the Department for Health on plans for a new hospital in Basingstoke.
Unlike the Tories’ unfunded promise of 40 new hospitals, Labour is reviewing plans to ensure that new hospitals are properly funded and delivered as quickly as possible for communities that need them most.
To ensure these reforms work for everyone, we need your input. I’m inviting all Basingstoke residents to join me for an NHS consultation on 30th January. This is your opportunity to share views on how we can make these changes work for our community. Together, we can ensure that the NHS in our town is back on its feet, clear of the backlog and long waits, delivering for Basingstoke.
To register your interest in attending the NHS Change in Basingstoke Consultation, you can sign up at – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1132426009679/.
If you have any issues you’d like to raise with me or to book into a surgery, please e-mail luke.murphy.mp@parliament.uk.