News / NHS
Starmer visits Bristol for first time as prime minister
Keir Starmer made his first visit to the Bristol area as prime minister where he pledged to significantly reduce NHS waiting lists for diagnostic tests.
Starmer’s visit took him to the North Bristol Community Diagnostic Centre in Cribbs Causeway, where he was welcomed by Claire Hazelgrove, MP for Filton & Bradley Stoke.
He was shown around the state-of-the-art facility, equipped with CT and MRI machines, that operates seven days a week.
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During his visit, the prime minister met with the joint chief executives of North Bristol NHS Trust, Maria Kane and Ingrid Barker.
The diagnostic centre is run in partnership with InHealth, a private healthcare provider.
Starmer reiterated that reducing waiting times for diagnostic tests within a year was a key pledge from the July election, and the government has already met this target seven months ahead of schedule.
By expanding the use of community diagnostic centres, such as the one in Cribbs Causeway, more people are expected to be able to access tests and check-ups while continuing with their everyday activities.
Hazelgrove said: “It was fantastic to welcome the prime minister back to our community, which he has visited a number of times before the election, and to the North Bristol Community Diagnostic Centre.
“The team here provide excellent care, allowing patients to access screenings comfortably in the community, seven days a week.
“When I’m knocking on doors and listening to residents across our community, one of the top issues that’s raised with me is how difficult it can be to get an NHS appointment.
“While we’ve inherited an NHS on its knees, our new Labour government have already taken significant action bringing our NHS back from the brink and getting waiting lists down.”
Main photo: Labour Party
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