South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy has written to Ms Cooper, who was appointed secretary of state for health and social care by new prime minister Andy Burnham last month, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the “profound challenges” facing services.
His letter highlights critical concerns across acute care, maternity services, emergency care, mental health, dentistry, and adult social care – issues he says are worsening due to the area’s rural geography and long-standing health inequalities.
Mr Jermy said: “While each issue I set out below is significant in its own right, taken together they paint a deeply concerning picture of a healthcare system under severe strain.
South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy (Image: Terry Jermy)
“South West Norfolk is experiencing challenges across acute care, maternity services, emergency care, mental health provision, dentistry and adult social care, all against the backdrop of a predominantly rural population that already faces barriers in accessing both diagnosis and treatment.”
Mr Jermy describes the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King’s Lynn as “a particular area of concern”.
The hospital was ordered to make urgent improvements earlier this week, following a damning report by watchdog the care Quality Commission over a decline in standards in the urgent and emergency care it delivers.
It followed a critical review of maternity services at the QEH last year, which Mr Jermy said “highlighted significant concerns about the quality and safety of care provided to mothers and babies”.
“Given the gravity of the findings, together with subsequent concerns raised about wider hospital performance, I believe there remains an urgent need for continued national oversight and support to ensure that lessons have been learned and that meaningful improvements are being delivered.”
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)
The MP said there was a broader pattern of problems at the hospital including a highly-critical report into general surgery services, the withdrawal of medical student placements by the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia and “significant workforce and recruitment challenges” .
He warned that the crisis extends beyond a single institution, describing a “perfect storm” of failures across the wider health and care system.
Mr Jermy highlighted serious shortcomings in adult social care, with many providers rated “inadequate” or “requires improvement” by the CQC, and some of the worst access to NHS dentistry in England.
He said: “Taken together, these represent not isolated service failures, but a systemic challenge to the delivery of health and social care across South West Norfolk.”