UPDATE 2024 – People ask what Labour is doing about the NHS – this article about the campaign to save the NHS is a prime example. The two years since then has showed a steady decline in our experiences – delays in appointments, treatment and increasing need (eg Dental care) to pay for services.  Labour believes in the NHS but above all, believes we need to restore the nation’s health back whatever it takes.

Councillors Rosa Bolger and Duncan Enright formed a community campaign, and people across Witney saved Cogges Surgery from closure. Now more than ever we value our NHS. Above all, we need to ensure it remains ‘ours’ and isn’t provided by faceless profit-oriented foreign-owned corporations. The last years – even after the Pandemic – have seen dreadful restrictions and delays on receiving NHS care even a simple blood test can take two weeks to book and a week to get results.  And that’s after the three week delay to see the GP in the first place.

During the pandemic we were reminded just how much we value those who deliver our health and social care. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your dedication and selfless commitment. We know that following the record investment of the last Labour Government, your services have endured fourteen years of austerity, under-investment and decline under the Conservative and coalition governments. Cuts to mental health services, adult social care and children’s safeguarding services leave our system in peril.

Labour gave birth to the NHS and we will always value and invest in health and care.