Lib Dems call for Emergency Health and Care Budget as Parliament returns

EMBARGO: 22:30 Monday 8th July 

The Liberal Democrats will today (Tuesday 9th July) call for an Emergency Health and Social Care Budget to fix the crisis in local services, warning “patients cannot wait any longer.”

A record number of Liberal Democrat MPs will arrive in Parliament. 

72 Liberal Democrat MPs have been elected, representing every corner of the country from the Highlands to the West Country. 

During the General Election, the Liberal Democrats called for a rescue package for health and social care which included measures to boost GP numbers by 8,000, increase the number of cancer nurses and give free personal care to all those who need it.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: 

“Patients cannot wait any longer after years of Conservative chaos which has left NHS and social care services at crisis point. 

“As I travelled the country in recent weeks, I heard devastating stories of pensioners waiting hours for ambulances, young parents waiting weeks for a GP appointment, too many left with anxious waits for cancer care. 

“We need an emergency Health and Social Care budget to get the NHS back on its feet after the Conservative party brought it to its knees. Patients and their loved ones need to get the care and the fair deal that they deserve.

“New Liberal Democrat local champions will fight in Westminster to restore local health and care services after years of neglect.”

ENDS