This week I thought I would focus on the NHS and its
funding.
NHS funding in Cornwall has been a topical subject recently.
The NHS is getting more money than ever both nationally and locally.
This Government has increased funding for the NHS nationally
in real terms and is set to continue to increase the funding going forward – an
additional £10 billion by 2020 (which is what the NHS said they required).
In Cornwall funding has also increased. Since the creation
of NHS Kernow it has had a real terms increase in funding every year, which is
projected to continue until at least 2020, an increase of over 20%.
At the same time as this we are currently going through the
Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP), which is a complete review of NHS
services throughout Cornwall.
The local NHS in Cornwall has overspent which is the reason
for the need for saving and the possible changes that might arise as a result
of it.
Some of the over-spending is a result of increasing demand
from patients and bad management by those on top of the local NHS.
However, much of the problem is caused by bed blocking due
to problems with the Cornwall Council-led adult social care.
In the recent Budget, the Government has just granted
Cornwall Council an additional £24m over the next three years for adult social
care to go towards resolving these issues.
Finally, on Friday we saw the announcement of the
long-needed mental health in-patient unit for children and young people in
Cornwall. For too long we have had to see children and young people, at a time
when they are most vulnerable, having to travel across the country to access
badly needed support. This puts unbelievable strain both on them and their
families, so a facility in Cornwall is absolutely essential.
Furthermore, Royal Cornwall
Hospital is one of 74 sites from around the country that has been offered £30m
as part of the ‘Core 24’ standard for mental health liaison, meaning a
fully-staffed team will be operating 24/7 in the hospital, offering a one-hour
response to emergency mental health referrals in A&E.
These are both clear signs of the
Government’s commitment to funding the NHS in Cornwall. I will continue
to work with my Cornish MP colleagues to ensure this money is spent
effectively, making sure that those who need help get it and that the services
we have are value for money for everyone.
As
always, 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. If there is an
issue you would like my assistance on then please 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
