Taunton and Wellington Lib Dems launch five-point health campaign

A new five-point campaign for more and better GP and NHS facilities in Taunton and Wellington has been launched by Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Gideon Amos and the local party.

The plan aims to provide:

• New NHS medical hubs to support the new housing in our area – starting in Comeytrowe where 2,000 homes are now being built.
• Bringing back NHS dentists to be provided in medical hubs alongside GPs.
• A new Maternity Unit for Musgrove Park Hospital.
• Cancer patients to be assured of treatment within 62 days as part of the Lib Dem's proposed Cancer Patient Guarantee.
• Free social care so that no one needs to sell their home to pay for social care as part of a £5bn per year Lib Dem funding package.

The campaign was launched at the new Orchard Grove development in Comeytrowe by Mr Amos, Sir Vince Cable – former Secretary of State for Business – and local councillors.

Sir Vince said: “"Meeting Comeytrowe residents showed me just how much this part of Taunton needs additional GPs and medical facilities after the former Conservative council agreed the 2,000 new homes now being built here.

“I'm delighted to help launch Gideon's campaign for a new NHS hub for Taunton, backed by the area’s councillors Habib Farbahi and Dawn Johnson. 

"It's clear Taunton and Wellington needs an MP who will fight for our local NHS and it's clear too that Gideon has the ability and the commitment to make a brilliant MP who will really stand up for this area".

Mr Amos added: “If enough people back this new campaign, we could get both a new medical hub, including more GPs and dentists here in Taunton and Wellington, and move forward the campaign for a new settlement for our NHS and social care needed at national level.

“For too long government has delayed vital NHS funding like the need replace World War Two era buildings at Musgrove Park Hospital

“My first priority for our health service in Parliament will be to end the delays and get Musgrove Park the funding it needs”.

Local councillor for Comeytrowe, Habib Farbahi, said: "All our constituents hugely value the ability to get a timely appointment at their local surgery.

“General practice is the front door of the NHS and all our GPs, Dental practices, nurses, clinical pharmacists, and the wider medical team do an amazing job.

“It is vitally important to secure the right medical facilities for our medical teams before the building of thousands of homes is contemplated and it’s a shame the previous council administration failed to put any in place here in the Comeytowe Orchard Grove urban extension.

“I have therefore begun working with Gideon and the council, now we have a Lib Dem majority administration, to bring all partners together with the aim of delivering a new medical hub in our area.

“I’m delighted we’re launching this campaign to hear from local residents – if enough support the idea we can really make progress”.

If a medical hub can be provided in Taunton through the council and other partners working together in the area, then the Lib Dems aim to roll out the approach across Somerset.

The party is urging people to respond to the consultation to say whether they would support the provision of new GP and medical hubs, as well as improvements to NHS and social care generally at https://www.tdld.co.uk/nhs