Stephen Metcalfe,
local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has congratulated the NHS on its
65th Birthday and thanked all those who work within it in South
Basildon and East Thurrock.
On 5th
July 2013, the NHS celebrates 65 years of providing healthcare to
hardworking people in Britain.
Conservatives
have demonstrated their continuing commitment to the NHS by increasing spending
on it every year that they have been in Government.
Unlike Labour who want to cut the
NHS budget, the Conservative have protected health spending and guaranteed to
increase it year on year, that means here in Basildon, we will see an increase in the budget for health
services up £7m from £285m in 2012-13 to £292m in 2013-14, and in
Thurrock, a rise from £171m to £175m respectively.
Commenting, Mr Metcalfe MP
said: “Even with our £12.7 billion increase in health spending, without the
hardworking people employed by our NHS in Basildon and Thurrock we would not
have been able to deliver faster treatment, halve hospital infection rates, and
virtually eliminate mixed sex wards.”
“I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all of the dedicated people who have worked and continue
to work in our NHS. You make an invaluable contribution to the lives of others
and your hard work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.”
Mr Metcalfe has endeavoured
throughout his time as MP to improve the standards of healthcare in South
Basildon and East Thurrock. As well as meeting with patient groups, he is in
regular contact with the Chief Executive of Basildon Hospital, and is working
hard to look at ways to drive up the quality of care.
He added: “I will continue to
do all I can to support the local health service and I hope that new Government
measures such as cracking down on ‘health tourism’ will facilitate this
process.”