Opposition Day

The debate began with the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Helen Morgan, outlining the crisis facing primary care services in the NHS. She argued that the NHS has been "plunged into crisis" after years of neglect under the previous Conservative government, leaving many people struggling to see a GP or find an NHS dentist. She called for urgent investment to boost access to GPs, dentists and community pharmacists. In response, the Minister for Secondary Care, Karin Smyth, acknowledged the scale of the challenges facing the NHS, which she said had been "broken" by the previous government. She outlined the new government's plans, including a review led by Lord Darzi, £82 million to recruit 1,000 new GPs, and measures to tackle the dental crisis and expand the role of pharmacies. The debate that followed saw contributions from MPs across the House, who shared examples from their own constituencies of the difficulties people are facing in accessing primary care. Many highlighted the crisis in NHS dentistry, with large parts of the country described as "dental deserts". Several speakers called for reform of the dental contract and more investment to improve access to NHS dental services. There was also extensive discussion of the challenges facing GPs, with concerns raised about falling GP numbers, long waiting times for appointments, and the impact on patient care and safety. MPs argued that more must be done to retain and recruit GPs, including by reducing bureaucracy and improving working conditions. The importance of primary care in relieving pressure on hospitals and A&E departments was a key theme, with speakers emphasising the need for a strategic shift towards community-based services and preventative care. The impact of poor access to primary care on health inequalities was also highlighted. Overall, the debate painted a picture of an NHS primary care system in deep crisis, which the new government was urged to address with urgency through increased investment, workforce planning, and reform of key services like dentistry and general practice.