Cheadle’s new Lib Dem MP calls for new laws on GP appointments and cancer care in King’s Speech

Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle, Tom Morrison has called on the new government to prioritise the NHS and social care in this Wednesday's King's Speech.

Tom Morrison MP has called for new laws to tackle the crisis in GP and cancer care waiting times. The Liberal Democrat general election manifesto called for giving patients new legal rights to see a GP within a week and to start cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent diagnosis, with new laws putting a statutory duty on the Government to deliver them.

The NHS crisis and the state of our local hospital came up on the doorstep time and time again, and our Liberal Democrat MP is now taking these concerns to Westminster. Since the Conservatives promised to hire 6,000 more GPs, the number has fallen by almost 500, leaving our GP services in crisis and people struggling to get an appointment. More than 100,000 patients in the last year waited longer than the NHS target of 62 days to start urgent cancer treatment.

Tom Morrison commented: 

“I have heard so many heartbreaking stories from local people about the state of Stepping Hill hospital. During the election people told me it has become almost impossible to see an NHS dentist or GP when you need to, whilst cancer care targets are constantly being missed. 

“Years of neglect under the Conservative Party have left our local health and care services in a state of chaos. That is not good enough and our community deserves better.

“I hope the new government does the right thing and puts the NHS and care at the top of their priority list. We cannot wait any longer to fix Stepping Hill.