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NHS
Our NHS is in Crisis
Over the past decade, the NHS has been pushed to breaking point. From soaring GP waiting times to the closure of local NHS dental practices, it’s clear that our healthcare system is struggling. Despite repeated warnings from medical professionals, successive governments have failed to deliver the support that our NHS desperately needs. The reality is hitting hard in West Berkshire, where people are now waiting weeks for GP appointments, battling to find an NHS dentist, and seeing mental health services stretched beyond capacity.
Here in Newbury, I've heard first-hand from constituents facing these difficulties. Many are waiting over four weeks for a GP appointment, only to be told by a doctor that they need to see a pharmacist, who then refers them back to the GP. This cycle of frustration is unacceptable, and it's why I’m committed to fighting for urgent reform. Last year alone, West Berkshire saw a 31% increase in GP waiting times, while pharmacy provision remains the lowest in the country—7,200 patients per pharmacy, compared to a national average of 4,600.
I’ve visited the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) in Reading, which serves many of us here, to see how these pressures are impacting care on the ground. The hospital is long overdue for an upgrade, and I will continue to call for the necessary investment to bring RBH into the 21st century. I’m also focused on protecting Newbury Community Hospital, which plays a vital role in easing pressure on major hospitals and providing essential services locally.
We urgently need to address ambulance response times as well. I’m supporting legislation that will make these wait times public, so we can identify crisis hotspots and channel resources to areas that need it most. No one should be left waiting for hours for emergency care, but that's what many are now facing.
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It’s clear that improving local healthcare goes beyond hospital care. The crisis in social care is one of the root causes of increased pressure on the NHS. Without proper community care, more people end up in hospital unnecessarily, further stretching already limited resources. We need serious investment in community care services, like those provided by Newbury Community Hospital, to keep people well and out of emergency care.
There is no quick fix, but I believe with the right leadership and targeted investment, we can turn this crisis around. As your MP, I’m committed to being a strong voice for improving access to healthcare services across Newbury and West Berkshire.
If you'd like to share your experiences or discuss these issues further, please get in touch at lee.dillon.mp@parliament.uk