Before becoming Weston’s MP, I had never run an NHS consultation event or been to one. Although I’ve worked in Tech for almost 10 years and ran many events, my only experience of the NHS was accessing it. Over the past 14 years, I have experienced long wait times to see a GP, found it difficult to get NHS dentist appointments, and I have seen the dire state of the care industry. It is not okay.
Last week, I brought together Weston residents to share their thoughts on the future of healthcare. I was so happy to hear about people’s experiences of incredible care from GPs in Weston, but I was disappointed that this care was not universal across the board. I am proud that the health service delivered almost 2.2 million more elective care appointments from July to November 2024 than the previous year, but there is still more to do. Even with this capacity increase, people still feel the strain, and more must be done.
I started the NHS consultation event with a simple question: if the 10-year Health Plan is a success, what three words would describe how using the NHS will feel in the future? The responses were heartfelt and insightful. Some hoped it would feel “caring, efficient, and empathetic,” while others wanted it to be “free, equal, and offer resolution.” People want an NHS that delivers not just care but care that feels human, responsive, and accessible.
We also reflected on what would remain the same. Many expressed the need for the NHS to continue to be free at the point of delivery and that the quality of GP care would stay high, with no threat of privatisation. There was a collective confidence in the dedicated staff who make the NHS what it is. But the real excitement came when we talked about what could be different. People were passionate about needing a system that offered quicker service access, better communication, and reduced waiting times. There was a real hope for an NHS that’s more “proactive, efficient, and all-encompassing.” Everyone agreed on one thing—getting rid of the postcode lottery in healthcare and using better technology to make the system fairer, faster, and more effective.
I’ve seen some exciting updates in the town in the seven months since taking my role. We’ve had a new diagnostic centre, which has increased the availability of a range of radiology, respiratory, and cardiology physiology tests, meaning that more patients can be diagnosed sooner and begin their treatment. This is just the beginning of the positive changes we will see in Weston; I meet monthly with the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and have been working closely with teams to ensure we get the care Weston needs.
One of the liveliest discussions we had at the event was about the role of technology. The promise of AI and digital tools to streamline care, reduce human error, and free up staff time was met with enthusiasm. But understandably, people also had concerns. These concerns understandably surrounded the accessibility of tech, how data would be kept safe along with fear of tech failures. From working in Tech, I understand people’s worries and concerns and will work with the government to reduce these concerns.
There was a lot of optimism for the future of the NHS—but it’s also clear that big changes are needed. People want a healthcare system that’s efficient, accessible, and caring, but also one that’s sustainable and fair.
What I took away from the consultation is that the public is eager to see the NHS evolve. People are ready for more preventative care, increased use of technology, and a shift towards community-based services. They also wanted to make sure that any changes are done right, with safeguards in place and a focus on quality.
I’m committed to ensuring that we keep pushing for the improvements needed, with the voices of the people of Weston at the heart of that process. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us—but together, I’m confident we can make the NHS the service we all want it to be.
