High Peak MP welcomes extra Government cash for the NHS

Lockdown gave the NHS vital time to build up its capacity at a rapid pace.

To avoid another national lockdown, it is now essential that the NHS is ready for a potential second wave.

That is why the Government has put forward £3 billion of extra winter funding for the NHS in England.

This will ensure there is capacity in the NHS for coronavirus patients in the event of a second wave whilst allowing routine treatments and procedures to go ahead.

As part of the preparations for the winter, £330 million has also been made available to upgrade A&E facilities.

This will help to cut waiting times, improve infection control, and increase the provision of same day emergency care.

The Government has announced the most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in British history.

Free flu vaccinations will be available for people on the shielded patient list, all school year groups up to year seven, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing conditions.

People aged between 50 to 64 will be invited later in the season to be vaccinated.

The NHS is rolling out rapid coronavirus tests to hospitals and care homes in preparation for winter.

These tests can detect the virus in just 90 minutes and do not require a trained health professional.

Boosting antigen testing to half a million tests a day by the end of October will also support the NHS test and trace programme.

I have been consistently raising my concerns with ministers about ensuring the NHS has the resources it needs to fight coronavirus.

However, I am just as focused on strengthening the long-term future of the NHS in the High Peak, which is why I am pushing for projects like a major new health centre at Buxton.

This crisis has reinforced the importance of the NHS in our national life and our local communities.

We need to get on and expand health services.

This will help us to beat the virus, restart the economy, and improve people’s lives across High Peak.

Robert Largan in MP for High Peak.