The Health Secretary has pledged his commitment to “finding a solution” to the struggles Derriford Hospital is facing. Wes Streeting visited the hospital after a warning from a Plymouth MP that staff are working under “increasingly difficult conditions” as they await a decision on a new A&E.
His visit follows a plea by Plymouth Moor View MP Fred Thomas for him to come to the city and see for himself the issues staff are facing. Mr Thomas made the call after joining staff in A&E for what he said was an “eye-opening” night shift – with some patients waiting 29 hours for a bed.
His appeal to Mr Streeting came as the future of the hospital’s planned new Urgent and Emergency Care facility remains hanging in the balance. The scheme is one of 25 hospital projects promised under the Conservatives’ New Hospital Programme for England – blasted by Mr Streeting as “undeliverable and unaffordable”.
During his visit at the end of the month, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care spoke to staff and patients at Derriford’s A&E and the Same Day Emergency Care Service.
Mr Streeting said: “It was a pleasure to visit Derriford Hospital and speak to the fantastic, hardworking staff there. I understand the challenges that Derriford is facing, and I am committed to finding a solution.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP with members of the Same Day Emergency Care Team during his visit to Derriford Hospital
(Image: Office of Fred Thomas MP)
“We inherited record long waiting lists from the Conservatives, impacting patients’ lives and their livelihoods. Only the combination of investment and radical reform can turn this around, which is exactly what our Government is setting out.”
Mr Thomas has previously slammed former Prime Minister Boris Johnson for what he said were “broken promises” over the A&E rebuild at Derriford. In his letter to Mr Streeting calling on him to visit, the MP said staff were making “heroic efforts amidst extremely challenging circumstances.”
He said this week: “When I joined staff on a night shift at Derriford A&E, I saw just how urgently we need more space at Derriford to help staff provide the best possible care. I wanted the Health Secretary to see this for himself and I’m delighted that he made time to visit Derriford Hospital.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting at Derriford Hospital with staff including Richard Bullough, Emergency Department Consultant and Sarah Prideaux of Livewell Southwest
(Image: Office of Fred Thomas MP)
Jo Beer, chief operating officer at Derriford Hospital said: “The Secretary of State came alone and visited our Emergency Department and our Same Day Emergency Care service and other assessment areas where he spoke to staff and patients, as well as colleagues from our community partner, Livewell Southwest.
“We were delighted to see him again, after his last visit to Derriford in August 2022.
“He showed a keen interest in the work we are doing to reduce waits for patients and care for more patients in the community.”
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