Health

After years of stagnation, we are now seeing the difference that proper investment and a renewed focus on patient care can make for people in Bolton South and Walkden.

Cutting Waiting Lists at Royal Bolton Hospital

Thanks to additional funding, Royal Bolton Hospital has delivered a significant reduction in its waiting list, with more than 7,000 fewer people now waiting for treatment. This progress has been made possible by the hard work of our NHS staff and the expansion of capacity locally, including 25,000 extra appointments being offered to patients.

Nationally, waiting lists have now fallen by over 86,000 in a single month, the second biggest drop in 15 years, and are down more than 312,000 since Labour entered government. This progress comes despite record levels of demand, showing what is possible when investment and modernisation go hand in hand.

Across the country, the NHS is delivering more evening and weekend clinics, expanding community diagnostic centres, and rolling out surgical hubs to cut backlogs. These changes are already making a difference, and patients here in Bolton South and Walkden are feeling the benefits.

Standing Up for Better Access to NHS Dentistry

As Chair of the All‑Party Parliamentary Group on Dentistry and Oral Health, I have long been pressing the Government to take urgent action to tackle the crisis in NHS dentistry. For too many people, securing even a routine appointment has become almost impossible, with large parts of the country turning into “dental deserts”.

Labour has been clear that this is unacceptable. I have been working in Parliament to secure real improvements, and I am pleased that 700,000 additional NHS dental appointments are now being made available nationwide.

This is an essential first step, but much more needs to be done. Labour’s plan also includes incentives to recruit dentists to the areas with the greatest need, supervised toothbrushing for young children to improve oral health, and a full reform of the dental contract so that NHS dentistry is rebuilt for the long term.

Continuing the Fight for Local Patients

Whether it is reducing hospital waiting times or restoring the NHS dental service, I will continue to stand up for residents across Bolton South and Walkden and ensure our community gets its fair share of resources and support.

Our NHS staff are working tirelessly, and with the right backing and the right political will, we can build a health service that treats patients faster, fairer and closer to home.