1 in 7 people in Norfolk waiting for hospital treatment, shocking new data reveals

The House of Commons Library analysis shows the number on waiting lists as a proportion of the local population. The data shows that more than 150,000 people are waiting for treatment, 14% of the population of Norfolk and Waveney.

The shocking new statistics compound the misery of Norfolk’s crumbling health service, with residents already suffering living in a so-called ‘dental desert’, due to the lack of available NHS dentistry services.

Liberal Democrat candidate for North Norfolk at the next General Election, Steffan Aquarone, said the figures laid bare the “Conservative-caused crisis” in our NHS, and called for urgent action to bring waiting lists down and ensure local residents can access timely treatment.

The Liberal Democrats have set out a plan to fix the crisis in the NHS and in care, including giving people a legal right to see their GP within seven days, increasing the Carer’s Minimum Wage to tackle soaring vacancies, and giving people a guarantee to begin cancer treatment within 62 days of being diagnosed.

Steffan Aquarone, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for North Norfolk, said:

“These shocking statistics have shown that the Conservative-caused crisis in our NHS is impacting a huge number of Norfolk’s residents. But people in Norfolk don’t need the statistics to know that our NHS is on it’s knees, they are seeing it in their everyday lives, and are suffering because they can’t get the hospital treatment they need.

“The Conservatives have taken our NHS, and Norfolk’s residents, for granted for too long. People have a right to be angry with how the Government has trashed our health service, and once the Prime Minister has the guts to call a General Election, they can show their anger at the ballot box.

“In North Norfolk, our ageing population is going to require a strong and reliable NHS to support them as they get older. They simply won’t get this with the Conservatives in charge. It’s time for change, and the Liberal Democrats’ plan to ensure GP appointments, faster cancer treatment and strengthened social care is what we urgently need.”