Since I was first elected in 2015, I have advocated for better healthcare provision for my constituents in South East Cambridgeshire. Our county has one of the fastest growing populations in the United Kingdom, and I think it is vital that this fact is reflected in the quality of our services.
In recent months, my activity has involved protecting existing services like Priors Field Surgery in Sutton, Ely, which was in danger of closing at the end of March. Not only would this have left 6000 local residents without a surgery, but it risked overloading other surgeries in my constituency.
I am also pleased that the Secretary of State has confirmed that Cambridge Cancer Hospital will go ahead, which I have campaigned for alongside my neighbouring MP, Anthony Browne. Preliminary construction for the seven-storey, 26,000 square-metre building has already begun. Work should then be completed sometime between the end of 2026 and early 2027.
I have also been actively campaigning for the UK's first dedicated Children's Hospital to be built on the same site. While fundraising continues in order to top up the Government's £100 million pledge, early construction is due to begin this year.
Improving healthcare in Ely has always been one of my highest priorities, and so I've also been working with the local health authorities to increase the range of services at the Princess of Wales hospital. This will be facilitated by a multi-million pound Government investment in a new Community Diagnostic Centre which will offer medical checks, scans and tests, and other diagnostic services. This will help cut waiting times at a crucial time for patients. In addition, St Mary's Surgery has received Government support to expand by 50%, and this reopened last July after a period of building work.
I am also currently working closely with the Integrated Care Board on improving access to primary care, including in general practice and NHS dentists in Cambridgeshire.