MARTIN GOSS SLAMS GOVERNMENT FAILURE OVER A&E WAITING TIMES

URGENT action is needed to tackle the increase in Accident & Emergency waiting times at Colchester General Hospital caused by the Government’s cuts to the NHS.

Research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the number of people who had to wait more than four hours at hospitals in the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation trust increased alarmingly to 79,668 last year – a rise of 3,631 from 2022. In all, the findings showed the jump between 2019-23 was a staggering 172.1%.

The Libs Dems are leading the fight to force the Government to reverse its £4.7billion of real-terms cuts to NHS funding over this year and 2025.

Martin Goss, the parliamentary candidate for Colchester, said: “These appalling delays are leaving often vulnerable and elderly patients in our area waiting for hours on end in overcrowded A&Es. 

“Every year A&E delays keep getting worse under this Conservative government as hospitals in our area are starved of the funding they need. 

“It is simply unthinkable that Rishi Sunak is now choosing to slash funding for the NHS further, while appalling figures like this are emerging. This will just pour petrol on the flames of the NHS crisis.

“People in Colchester deserve so much better than this Conservative government, which is ignoring the suffering of patients and driving our health service into the ground. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to fix the NHS and ensure people can access the care they need.”