ONE of the biggest tests for our Labour government is getting the NHS back on its feet after years of neglect by the Conservatives. And central to that challenge is helping our GP surgeries get back to what they do best.

I’ve spent time meeting with our local GPs to get a better understanding of the situation – most recently visiting the Duddon Valley Medical Practice in Broughton to hear about the particular challenges facing rural surgeries. I’ve also spoken with many local people who have been let down by the current state of the NHS – unable to get the appointments, medicines, and care that they need.

I’ve seen how our GPs have been suffering with growing workloads and not enough funding. The reality is that our GPs are working harder than ever, but some general practices are close to breaking point. That has made it harder for people to get appointments and be seen when they need care.

I’m therefore delighted to see the Government’s plans for change which will provide extra funding, cut red tape, and get rid of unhelpful targets for GPs.

Under the proposals patients across Furness – including those with complex needs, long-term conditions or the elderly – would experience greater continuity of care.

They will mean that GPs across Barrow and Furness will be able to spend more time treating patients which will bring back the family doctor, slash red tape, and end the 8am scramble for appointments.

The proposals – currently out for consultation with British Medical Association – are backed by the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an extra £889m on top of the existing budget.

Through this plan for change, we are acting to fix the front door to the NHS and we have already started hiring an extra 1,000 GPs into the NHS.

It was a Labour government that created our NHS back in 1948. Free at the point of need, it became the envy of the world.

It will be a modern Labour government that rescues it from its present condition and in time the improvements that are made will be reflected across Barrow and Furness.