The news from Parliament this week has again been
dominated by Brexit. As I write this the Prime Minister has postponed the Meaningful
Vote which was due to take place on 11 December.
However away from Brexit, I continue to work to
deliver on the investment we need for Mid-Cornwall. On Friday last week I was
therefore delighted to get confirmation from Secretary of State for Health Matt
Hancock that Cornwall is receiving £40.4m of NHS capital funding.
I have always been clear that ensuring the NHS in
Cornwall receives its fair share of the record amount of funding the Government
is currently releasing nationally, is a top priority.
The Government is providing funding for the
Peripheral Site Optimisation scheme with new investment of up to £9.1million
which will deliver improved clinical facilities and eradicate backlog
maintenance.
This is part of £1bn extra capital funding being
announced across England. It comes on top of the £20.5bn per year extra funding
for the NHS over the next five years - the longest and largest funding
settlement in the NHS’s history. The investment is part of the wider plan to
provide better services for patients, integrate care better and renew aging
facilitates.
Friday’s announcement also saw the Oncology &
MRI Re-provision scheme with new investment of up to £31.326 million which will
deliver improvements to the Oncology/Haematology Ward and the MRI Department at
Treliske.
I am delighted to have worked with my Cornish MP
colleagues to achieve this outcome. Only at the end of November we met with the
Secretary of State to press the issue for this investment to improve services
and outcomes for people in Cornwall. I am pleased that he has
listened and delivered on these significant investments.
In general terms this announcement follows the
Government providing record real-terms funding increases to the NHS across the
country, which is reflected in Cornwall, as well as with specific projects such
as the soon to be completed Mental Health inpatient unit for young people, and
plans for the acute care centres.
The Government has also provided additional funding
ring fenced to local authorities, such as Cornwall Council, to assist with adult
social care and work with the NHS to relieve bed blocking.
However, as with everything, running the NHS
properly is not just about throwing money at it. The NHS itself must also do
its bit to ensure it is good value for money for the taxpayer and operates
efficiently with the budget it has.
I will continue to do all I can to ensure the
funding increases continue and that this continues to translate to tangible
improvements in Cornwall’s NHS.
My team and I are here to serve the whole
constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone
needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm
(no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance
on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or
office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only,
advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at:
www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
