Downgrading 4-hour A&E target 'not the answer' - Farron

The Health Secretary's comments today that the four-hour waiting time target should only be for "urgent problems" shows that the government is not serious about the crisis facing the NHS and underlines the need for an Urgent Care Centre at Kendal, according to South Lakes MP Tim Farron.

Speaking in parliament today, Jeremy Hunt MP said that "not all health problems" can be seen within four hours. He added that the NHS would look at cancelling elective operations and shifting GPs to urgent care work to deal with the crisis.

Tim said: "Instead of downgrading the four-hour target, the Conservative government should invest in an Urgent Care Centre in Kendal to relieve pressure elsewhere. Our NHS urgently needs more funding, yet the government is trying to cut millions, cancel operations, and drag doctors away from their duties to make things add up. This is short-term thinking which will do nothing to address the real crisis our health service faces."