Fighting for Southend NHS: Better Health Services for Our Community

The NHS is Southend most cherished institution, but after years of underfunding and rising demand, local health services are under unprecedented strain. Waiting lists at Southend University Hospital have grown, GP practices are struggling to recruit, and mental health services are stretched to breaking point. The Southend Liberal Democrats are campaigning tirelessly for the investment and reform our health system needs.

Southend University Hospital serves a growing and ageing population across the borough and beyond. We are calling for increased capital investment in the hospital estate, including expanded A&E capacity, more diagnostic equipment to cut test waiting times, and improved maternity facilities. Staff recruitment and retention must also be a priority, with better pay, more training places, and affordable housing for key workers.

GP access remains one of the most common concerns raised by residents at our street surgeries. Many people struggle to get an appointment within two weeks, and telephone-only triage systems leave some patients feeling unheard. We want to see more GP appointments available in Southend, expanded use of community pharmacists for minor ailments, and better integration between GP practices and hospital services so that test results and referrals move faster.

Mental health does not receive the attention or funding it deserves. One in four people in Southend will experience a mental health problem each year, yet specialist services are scarce and waiting times for talking therapies can be months long. We are advocating for ring-fenced mental health funding, the expansion of community-based mental health teams, and youth mental health hubs in schools and colleges across the borough.

Social care and health are two sides of the same coin. Too many older people in Southend end up in hospital because community support was not available early enough. We want to see better coordination between the council adult social care team and the NHS, more investment in preventive care and early intervention, and fair pay and conditions for the dedicated care workers who support our most vulnerable residents.

Dental and eye care are also under pressure. Residents across Southend report struggling to find an NHS dentist accepting new patients. We support the expansion of NHS dental contracts in the borough and the opening of new community dental clinics in underserved areas. Eye health services, particularly for diabetic screening and cataract treatment, must also be resourced adequately.

Public health is about more than hospitals and clinics. The built environment shapes our health in profound ways. We are campaigning for cleaner air, safer streets that encourage walking and cycling, better access to green spaces, and planning policies that ensure new developments include space for physical activity and community wellbeing. Health in all policies must be more than a slogan.