Personally Speaking – September

Modern tools for a modern NHS – Gareth Snell MP and Leigh Ingham MP

There’s no question our NHS works under huge pressure. Patients are waiting too long, even though our amazing, dedicated staff are working flat out.

But here in Staffordshire we’re starting to see what’s possible – and how we can support staff and give patients a better experience – when we back innovation and invest in the right tools.

This is what we can achieve: in the last 12 months more than 2,700 people who had been waiting over a year for treatment at Royal Stoke and County Hospital have now received the care they need. This represents a 54% reduction in hospital waiting lists for some of the longest waits.

That’s a big step forward, and a sign of what can happen when we match the Government’s determination, and its investment, with smart technology.

One of the biggest changes that should be driving this progress is the roll-out of electronic patient records (EPRs). It might not sound exciting, but it will make a real difference.

Too many parts of the NHS are still relying on paper notes, clunky systems and outdated equipment – some are even using fax machines! That’s not safe or sustainable.

With EPRs, doctors and nurses can instantly access a patient’s history, test results and medications, all from a tablet or computer. For example, electronic patient records could give doctors information about allergies, current GP prescriptions, and previous scans (such as MRIs, CT scans, or X Rays) to ensure they can more efficiently treat a patient.

It cuts delays, prevents mistakes, and helps staff work more efficiently.

This digital shift would free up valuable time, allowing hospitals to offer more appointments by making better use of technology.

EPRs are the foundation. On top of that, we’re seeing robotic surgery, smarter use of operating theatres, and new day case units boosting capacity even further. It’s not about flashy tech, it’s about tools that make a real, day-to-day impact.

As the MPs representing two brilliant Staffordshire hospitals – Royal Stoke and County Hospital in Stafford –  we’re working with Ministers, and the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust to push for investment. We all believe our local NHS deserves better, and that progress must be more than just promises.

Yes, there’s still work to do. Too many people are still waiting. But we’re proving that change is possible, and that Staffordshire can lead the way in building a better, faster, more modern NHS.

Our NHS needs more support and bold reform. That’s why Labour is committed to 40,000 extra appointments a week across the UK and a fully digital NHS that works for staff and patients.

We’ve made a start. Now we need to keep going, with focus, investment, and a clear commitment to the care people deserve