NHS Reforms: Calls for more facilities and services across Maidenhead and Windsor
Calls to re-open St Mark's walk-in centre and provide more Royal Borough services have been made in light of the NHS reforms announcement.
This month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out plans to tackle waiting lists by providing more appointments and faster treatment.
The Elective Reform Plan by NHS England outlines an approach to meeting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament.
Several plans to achieve this include opening Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) for 12 hours, seven days a week, increasing the availability of same-day tests and consultations and expanding the range of tests available at CDCs.
Other plans include allowing GPs to direct patients for diagnostic testing, to get tests quicker.
A total of 14 new surgical hubs will be created in existing hospitals by June and three others will be expanded, with more expected over the coming years.
Cllr Catherine Del Campo, cabinet member for health in the Royal Borough, Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds and Windsor MP Jack Rankin hope the reforms can help drive plans for more services and facilities.
Cllr Del Campo said: “I welcome the news that the government intends to tackle the appointments backlog.
“I will be making the case for investment in St Mark’s in terms of its buildings and the services it offers.”
She and Mr Reynolds are calling for the Government to open a seven-day diagnostic centre at St Mark’s Hospital and reopen the walk-in urgent care centre.
This week Parliament, Mr Reynolds asked health secretary Wes Streeting if he would meet with him to discuss how they can work together to reopen the walk-in centre.