Tiverton & Honiton MP demands recall of Parliament over NHS crisis

The Liberal Democrats are demanding the Government pass an emergency health plan and declare a 'national major incident'. 

It has been estimated that up to 500 people each week are dying because of A&E delays. 

In recent days ambulance services across the country have declared critical incidents, while ambulance staff have also been urged to conserve oxygen supplies due to a surge in demand. 

Over the Christmas and New Year period local ambulance services across Devon have been struggling to keep up with demand, with a ‘critical incident’ being declared for several days and patients urged to avoid attending A&E unless their condition is life-threatening. 

In view of the extreme pressure on hospitals and the social care system, Richard Foord wants Parliament to be recalled so that the Government can take urgent action to stop people from dying. 

He said: “This is a life or death situation for large numbers of patients across the country, including here in our part of Devon. 

“Despite the valiant work of our heroic NHS staff, local services are buckling in front of our eyes due to demand – yet the Prime Minister and Health Secretary are nowhere to be seen. 

“Every week I hear from people who are in shock after calling an ambulance or visiting A&E only to learn that ‘emergency’ care now means waiting hours and hours for help. 

“This is a national crisis, and the country is unlikely to forgive the Conservative Government for failing to act while hundreds of people die in parked ambulances or crowded hospital corridors. 

“Nobody should lose a loved one because the Government is asleep at the wheel. 

“Paramedics, nurses, and doctors have been left high and dry by the Government. They need help right now before this crisis gets even worse. 

“I am calling for Parliament to return without delay. The Prime Minister must declare a major incident to put the NHS back on a pandemic-style footing amid soaring numbers of deaths.”