Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West & Shirley and former trauma surgeon, is calling for improved urgent care provisions in the Solihull Borough.
Neil wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, urging greater healthcare provision locally. Neil’s letter highlighted that, in the most recent quarter, Emergency Department (ED) attendance was on average 14% higher than a decade ago, contributing to longer wait times. In August 2024, only 65.4% of patients at Birmingham and Solihull ICB spent under four hours in major A&E departments, well below the NHS target of 95%. With the Government’s planning reforms set to increase Solihull’s population, Neil stressed the urgent need for matching investment in healthcare infrastructure.
Neil raised this issue in an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons. He warned that rising housebuilding targets would place additional pressure on already stretched NHS services, including local A&E capacity.
Neil has since met with both the Chief Executive of the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and representatives of Solihull Hospital to push for solutions. He has also requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health to make the case directly for urgent improvements to local urgent care services.
To demonstrate the strength of community support, Neil launched a petition calling for enhanced A&E provision in Solihull. So far, it has been signed by nearly 2,500 residents.
Neil remains committed to ensuring that Solihull’s healthcare infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of its growing population, and that residents can access timely, high-quality emergency care.