Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West & Shirley and former trauma surgeon, regularly meets with local healthcare providers that serve his constituents. On Friday 17th January, Neil met with the Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) for updates on the progress they are making in delivering suitable services to constituents.
Prior to the meeting, Neil took to Facebook to ask constituents to send in their feedback and experiences with SHP.
Following the feedback from his constituents, Neil raised the comments with representatives of SHP.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP said:
Thank you to everyone who shared their SHP experiences with me through my Facebook page. Hearing your feedback was invaluable. At the meeting I relayed your comments and we discussed how we can work collaboratively to improve patient experiences going forward.
SHP informed me of their decision to invest in a new digital system, which allows for initial standardised triage to reduce the pressures on the booking system. By moving away from the first come, first served system currently in place, the correct and appropriate care can be allotted to smooth out the current appointment system. I look forward to further developments by SHP and the implementation of this system.
We also discussed the negative impact the increase on National Insurance Contributions (NICs), announced in the Budget, will have on primary care services. In Parliament, I have also been campaigning against the increase to NICs due to the ramifications it will have on GPs, dentists, social care, and hospices, amongst others.
In a letter to the Chancellor, I warned that the cost implications for healthcare providers will be substantial, adding further pressures to our health services. The consequences will result in reduced services and force redundances.
The British Medical Association has estimated that the increase in NICs would cost an extra £865 for every employee earning £30,000. For some General Practices, this would result in tens of thousands of pounds of additional costs, which could otherwise have been more appropriately used to employ additional clinical staff.
