North East Herts candidates vow to protect the NHS

The Liberal Democrats have laid out a £9bn to tackle the health and care crisis - giving everyone easier access to GP and dentist appointments, and helping patients start cancer treatment earlier.

Lib Dem candidate Ruth Brown said: "People desperately want change, from fixing our health and care services to returning to proper community policing, the Liberal Democrats have a plan to make our community a better place. 

Liberal Democrat candidate Ruth Brown (Image: Courtesy of Ruth Brown)

"A vote for me at this election, is a vote to elect a strong local community champion, who will fight every day for our NHS and care, to support those most affected by the cost of living crisis and to protect and enhance our environment."

Conservative candidate Nikki Da Costa outlined her party's plans to support the NHS.

She said: "It's extremely important that residents have great quality care.

"We have invested record amounts in the NHS and, as a result of Conservative action, construction starts next year on a world-class cancer research hospital and a specialist children's hospital in this region.

"Conservatives locally are also pushing for a new state-of-the-art diagnostic centre in Royston.

Conservative candidate Nikki Da Costa (Image: North East Herts Conservatives)

"But there is more work to do to reduce waiting lists: the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will bring more doctors and nurses to the area and we are investing in a new NHS Productivity Plan, delivering more resources to cut waiting lists and improve care."

Meanwhile Labour has promised to cut NHS waiting times, double the number of cancer scanners, deliver 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments and recruit 8,500 additional mental health staff.

Labour candidate Chris Hinchliff said: "As we look at the NHS now, it is clearly broken. It is far too difficult to get a GP appointment and waiting lists are absurdly long.

Labour candidate Chris Hinchliff (Image: Courtesy of Chris Hinchliff)

"We are seeing a two-tier system emerge, as those who can afford it are going private to be seen faster, while those who can’t are being left behind.”

"We must change the NHS so that it becomes not just a sickness service, but able to prevent ill heath in the first place. We have saved the NHS before, and the next Labour Government will do so again."

Reform UK candidate Steve Adelantado said: "While being committed to healthcare still free at the point of delivery, our healthcare needs major reforms to improve results and enjoy zero waiting lists.

Reform UK candidate Steve Adelantado (Image: Reform UK)

"To help to achieve this, we will work to end doctor and nurse shortages. All frontline NHS and social care staff to pay zero basic rate tax for three years.

"This will help retain existing staff and attract many who have left to return. End training caps for all UK medical students.

"Write off student fees pro rata per year over 10 years of NHS service for all doctors, nurses and medical staff. 

"Improve efficiency. We will cut waste and unnecessary managers. Operating theatres must be open on weekends. Rotas must be planned further in advance.

"Nail down better prices using economies of scale. Review all NHS Private Finance Contracts for significant savings potential. Charge those who fail to attend medical appointments without notice. 

"Cut A&E waiting times with a campaign of 'Pharmacy First, GP Second, A&E Last'. We will offer tax incentives for new pharmacies and those who employ more staff to assist in relieving pressure on A&E Excess

"We will commission a "Deaths and Vaccine Harms Public Inquiry". Excess deaths are nearly as high as they were during the Covid pandemic. Young people are over-represented. We must discover why.

"On a personal note, I will investigate what measures can be taken to make better use of Royston Hospital, so as to best serve the residents of Royston and surrounding villages.

"It seems to me to be a waste that that such an ideally located facility is not being used to it`s fullest potential. I will fight to increase the differing services provided there."

Green Party candidate Vicky Burt said she is "furious" about government cuts.

She said: "It’s soul-destroying seeing the NHS in crisis after decades of Tory austerity. Excessively long waiting lists, overflowing hospitals and underpaid staff on strike.

Green Party candidate Vicky Burt (Image: Courtesy of Vicky Burt)

"The British Dental Association reports of three-year-olds with dental sepsis, an epidemic of DIY dentistry and the return of scurvy show just how broken our society is.

"I’m furious that the government has allowed this to happen through savage cuts that are completely unnecessary.

"Being able to see a doctor or a dentist when you need one is a basic right and shouldn’t only be in the hands of the rich.

"Here in North East Herts we already have one of the worst healthcare provisions in the country, with long waiting lists and the some local (Buntingford) GP surgeries facing the threat of closure, this will put added pressure on those surgeries that remain open in other towns.

"Not only this, the appalling state of our NHS and the long waiting lists often has a knock on effect on people’s mental health and the ability to work, thus pushing people into poverty.

"It’s time for a new approach to ensure everyone can get the care they need to live a long and healthy life. The Green Party will immediately increase NHS spending by £8 billion and put saving and protecting our NHS as a Number 1 priority."

"We all know that a Labour government is extremely likely. Green MPs need to be in parliament to hold Labour to account and push the government to make bold decisions."