Health services in Shropshire

That this House recognises the crisis in NHS services, particularly for rural communities; is concerned that over 10,000 people over the age of 65 waited for 24 hours or more to be seen at accident and emergency departments in Shropshire last year; acknowledges that this is greater than a 3,000% increase over the last five years; is further concerned that the number of attendances to accident and emergency departments at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust who wait over four hours increased to 40% in June 2024; notes with regret that, over the last year, the number of four-week waits for a GP appointment rose by 62% in Shropshire; commends the progress made since Donna Ockenden’s final report in 2020 to improve maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust; further notes that 18 of the recommended actions for the Trust remain undelivered; and urges the Government to improve the safety and quality of all health and care services with a particular focus on rural areas.