Call for action as NHS is in 'critical condition' report claims

The verdict has been published in an investigation into health and care services by Lord Ara Darzi - an independent peer and practising surgeon with 30 years’ experience in the NHS - who conducted an independent review into the state of the national health service.

The Lord Darzi report reveals that since 2015, the NHS has consistently missed major targets, including for A&E response times, cancer treatment, and wait times.

His report was published on Thursday, September 12. Liberal Democrat MPs in Berkshire have seized on the 'damning' report, and are calling for the Labour government to 'take urgent action' to avert a healthcare crisis.

Clive Jones, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham, said: “The report must serve as a wake-up call to fix our local health and care services on the brink.

“In recent weeks and months I have heard from countless people who are suffering from endless waiting lists, or struggling to see an NHS dentist or GP when they need to.”

Mr Jones also took jabs at the former Conservative government for its new hospital project, which promised 40 new hospitals - with just one being completed so far, according to fact-checking website Full Fact.

He said: “The previous government made hollow promises on our hospitals, and with facilities like the Royal Berkshire Hospital falling into disarray we cannot afford for this to happen again. We need concrete action.

“The top priority of this new government must be fixing our NHS so people can finally get the care they deserve.”

Lee Dillon, the Lib Dem MP for Newbury, also said health and care services are 'on the brink of collapse' and that he has heard from countless residents stuck on 'never-ending' waiting lists and waiting weeks for appointments.

Lee Dillon, Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury and Steve McManus, CEO of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. (Image: Office of Lee Dillon MP)

Mr Dillon said: "The top priority of this government must be fixing our NHS so people can finally get the care they deserve.

"For our community, that means proper funding for our local hospitals,
including the much-needed redevelopment of Royal Berkshire Hospital, recruiting more frontline staff, and ensuring access to vital services like mental health and urgent care.

“The government needs to urgently commit to cross-party talks to tackle the crisis in social care, as well as provide the necessary investment to rebuild our NHS from the ground up.”

The findings of the Lord Darzi report state that the health service is in need of much more capital funding, both to purchase better equipment and to build better hospital facilities.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Prime Minister, has admitted the NHS requires major reform.

Both Mr Jones and Mr Dillon are former leaders of Wokingham Borough Council and West Berkshire Council, respectively.