Supporting our local NHS

Helen Whately at Faversham Village Hospital

Healthcare affects us all, whether we’re patients ourselves or our families and friends. As a parent, I make regular trips to the GP with my children and occasional visits to A&E too.

The major hospitals around this area are all in difficulties and many GPs are full to bursting, with patients queuing at 8am for appointments. The future of Faversham Minor Injuries Unit is uncertain (as I write).

Our local health services are not alone; GPs and hospitals around the country are struggling to cope. Although every year the NHS provides millions of people with excellent care, shocking cases have emerged where patients have been treated appallingly.

It’s easy to be critical but not necessarily helpful. I will champion our local NHS, work for good decisions and a fair share of funding. I use these services too. I want the NHS to provide excellent care to everyone who needs it.

 

News

Coronavirus local contacts page

Councillors and volunteers are playing a crucial role in our response to the Coronavirus.

I’ve been truly impressed at the scale and speed of the response here in Faversham and Mid Kent, from our County Council to parishes and community groups, and everything in between.

Supporting people with sight loss

Every day around 250 people begin to lose their sight.

I’m proud to be supporting the RNIB in their work to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

I want to make healthcare better for everyone in my new job

I’m delighted to have been appointed Minister of State in the Department for Health and Social Care, as part of last week’s reshuffle.

My new responsibilities include social care, the NHS workforce, as well as learning disabilities and autism. 

A new CT scanner for Canterbury Hospital

It's great news that Canterbury Hospital is getting a new CT scanner.

The inclusion of Canterbury as one of the hospitals to benefit from £200 million of investment in diagnostic equipment, will help improve cancer care in Kent.

Results are in from the Park Wood GP survey…

I received hundreds of responses to my recent survey on GP services in Park Wood, which shows just how much people care. Lots of people shared stories of how good their local GP surgery is.

How long do you have to wait to see your GP?

People often tell me they have to wait ages to see a GP, and I have been shocked to hear stories about people queuing outside their surgery to get an appointment. This is simply not good enough.

How good is mental health care in Faversham and Mid Kent?

It can be difficult to get a true picture of how our area is doing when it comes to mental health services.

So I'm pleased that Mental Health Watch, a new website which makes scrutinising spending and performance easy, has been launched by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.