To address these challenges, I will champion policies focused on drastically reducing waiting times and ensuring the NHS is better for all. This commitment is grounded in the Liberal Democrats' belief that everyone deserves timely access to healthcare. Specifically, we will guarantee everyone the right to see their GP within seven days or within 24 hours for urgent needs. This will be achieved by training, recruiting, and retaining more GPs, freeing up their time to care for patients more effectively .
Moreover, understanding that mental health is as important as physical health, we will finally put mental health on the same footing. This involves reforming NHS dentistry to prevent people from having to turn to expensive private care and investing in public health and prevention to reduce the overall need for treatment .
A significant part of our strategy to improve the NHS includes addressing the chronic staff shortages that have exacerbated waiting times. By recruiting, training, and retaining more doctors and nurses, we aim to fill the tens of thousands of vacancies across the NHS, directly contributing to shorter waiting times and improved patient outcomes .
Our plans to fix the life-threatening crisis in our ambulance services and provide emergency funding will ensure that when you call for help in a crisis, the response will be swift and efficient, safeguarding lives in the process .
Our NHS policies are not just about meeting immediate needs but are part of a broader vision for a health service that is sustainable, resilient, and equitable. This vision includes a comprehensive approach to healthcare, ensuring that both mental and physical health are given equal priority and that the workforce at the heart of the NHS is supported and valued. As your MP, I am committed to making this vision a reality, fighting tirelessly to ensure our NHS serves every one of us effectively, now and in the future.