Thornbury & Yate MP pushes for action to address health and care crises

Claire Young MP was “incredibly proud” to vote in favour of the Liberal Democrats’ motions to rescue community healthcare and end the carers' repayment scandal. 

On the Liberal Democrats’ first Opposition Day since 2009, Claire Young voted for the party’s motions to fix the dual crises of health and care. 

Claire’s vote to resolve these crucial issues follows shocking new statistics, commissioned by the Lib Dems, which revealed that 1 in 4 Brits have been unable to work because they can’t get an NHS appointment. 

The poll indicated that a massive 45% of the population have been unable to book a GP or dentist appointment - revealing the extent of the strain on the NHS system as we head into the winter months.  

The first Liberal Democrat proposal focused on the Carer’s Allowance repayments scandal, calling on the Government to write off existing overpayments and conduct a full review of support for unpaid carers, while the second urged Ministers to tackle the NHS crisis by improving access to GPs, NHS dentists and community pharmacists. 

Despite the strain on the NHS as we head into the winter months, Labour MPs voted against the motions. Claire Young MP has said this was “deeply troubling” and has pledged to keep pushing for health and care to be top of the parliamentary agenda.  

Commenting on the vote, Claire Young MP said: 

“I was incredibly proud to vote in favour of both Liberal Democrat proposals, which would've delivered real action to help save our flagging heath and care services.  

“Community healthcare across our area, particularly in our more rural areas, is struggling to keep up with demand and the carers overpayment scandal is a national disgrace.  

“When I speak to families and pensioners across Thornbury & Yate, I hear time and time again that people can’t get an appointment with their GP or with an NHS dentist when they need one.  

“That’s why I threw my support behind these measures. However, it was deeply troubling to see the Government oppose these motions.  

“Our health and care services need extra support now more than ever - especially as the squeeze on winter fuel payments will drive NHS and care demand sky-high.  

“I am urging the government to follow the Liberal Democrats’ example and make health and social care their top priority in the upcoming Autumn Budget.”