In our area, where patients are served mainly by East Surrey Hospital, 850 patients faced waits of half-an-hour of more in ambulances outside A&E so far this winter. Of these, 184 faced waits of over an hour Liberal Democrat analysis of NHS England figures has revealed. This was during the period 20th November 2017 to Jan 7th 2018.

Analysis also shows that local hospitals are suffering from dangerously high bed occupancy rates. Surrey and Sussex NHS hospital trust has been 100% full for 26 of 42 days so far this winter. This is way above the recommended maximum level of 85% bed occupancy that experts say must be maintained to protect patient safety.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a penny on income tax for the NHS and social care, which would raise £6bn a year, around £20m of which would go to Surrey Downs CCG (which commissions NHS services for Mole Valley residents) based on current allocations.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Cllr Paul Kennedy commented:

“These figures show the NHS crisis in the hospitals serving Mole Valley is worsening. Thousands of patients are being left stuck in ambulances outside A&Es while several hospitals are suffering from a severe lack of beds. Every ambulance stuck outside an A&E department could well be needed by another patient waiting desperately at home for help.”

“Each day seems to bring yet more bad news about the state of the health service. The blame for this lies firmly at the government’s door. Ministers refused to provide the funding that top NHS officials said was necessary and now patients are paying the price.”

“The Liberal Democrats will give the NHS and care the extra cash they desperately need by putting a penny on income tax, which would raise £76m a year for health services in Surrey alone.”