Supporting our local NHS

Helen Whately at Faversham Village Hospital

My Aims

  • Improve services for people in Faversham and Mid Kent
  • Joined-up health and social care
  • Better mental health care
  • Hold the Government to account as a member of the Health Select Committee

 

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

Have your say on the future of our health service

I'm hosting a public meeting, along with Concern for Health in East Kent [CHEK], to give local people the chance to have a say on changes to health services.

It will take place on Friday 27th April at 7pm at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham

Kent is getting a medical school!

Kent is getting a medical school. This is truly fantastic news. A medical school will make all the difference to healthcare in our area. In recent years it’s been difficult to attract doctors to work in our local hospitals, especially A&Es.

Closure of Kingsfield Care Home is deeply worrying

Families with relatives living in Kingsfield Care Home, Faversham, are very worried. Some people have been in the home for many years and have friends there who they rely on. Others fear they might be separated from relatives when they are moved.

Protect the protectors

On the walls at hospital A&E departments you often see posters saying things like ‘We want to help, don’t abuse us’, ‘Don’t take it out on our staff’ and ‘Stop abuse of NHS staff’. I find it shocking these posters are needed, but sadly they are.

How to restart a heart

Every second counts when someone is having a heart attack. That's why I learned how to do life-saving CPR as part of British Heart Foundation [BHF], St John Ambulance and British Red Cross's Restart A Heart Day.

We must do more for young people's mental health

Last week was A-Level results week, a time of celebration and the start of an exciting new chapter for many school-leavers. Congratulations! But there aren’t prizes for everyone. It’s easy to forget that while some are celebrating A grades, there are others coping with disappointment.

Embedded thumbnail for Let's congratulate the NHS - not weaponise it

Let's congratulate the NHS - not weaponise it

Our national health service was last week judged the best, safest and most affordable healthcare system—better than that of France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. Too often in this House, we focus on the negatives.