Stogia vows to fight for more NHS investment in Gorton and Denton

Labour’s by-election candidate for Gorton and Denton, Angeliki Stogia, has pledged to “fight for more investment in our NHS” as she steps up her campaign in the constituency.

Ms Stogia has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, calling for further improvements to local health services. In her letter, she highlighted concerns about the state of GP practices and hospitals serving residents across Gorton and Denton.

“Our GP practices are not big enough…and our hospitals don’t have the modern equipment required to get patients seen on time,” she wrote.

The letter follows Mr Streeting’s recent visit to the area, where he joined Ms Stogia in meeting local GPs to discuss what the Government has delivered so far and what more can be done to strengthen NHS provision locally.

Writing to the Health Secretary after the visit, Ms Stogia said: “Dear Wes, it was great to see you last week. Thank you for taking the time to speak to local GPs here about what exactly the Government is delivering, but also how we can go further and faster to improve local NHS provision here in Gorton and Denton.

“You heard the stories here on the ground.

“The NHS is one of the top issues that comes up with residents on the doors. People recognise the work we’ve done in delivering millions more appointments and slashing the waiting list to its lowest level in three years.”

She pointed to progress made across Greater Manchester, saying Labour has already taken 39,000 people off the waiting list, with patients now being seen more quickly.

However, she warned that years of underinvestment have left local facilities struggling to cope with demand.

“But after 14 years of underinvestment, our facilities are simply not up to scratch,” she added.

“Labour has recruited an extra 148 GPs in Greater Manchester since the election, but our GP practices just aren’t big enough to accommodate all the patients who need appointments. Our hospitals don’t have the modern equipment required to get patients seen on time.

“That’s why I’ve made it one of my pledges, if I’m elected the MP here, to fight for even more investment in our local NHS services, to speed up the NHS’s recovery.

“I’m asking you to work with me, local patients, and healthcare providers, to not only improve existing NHS facilities here, but provide new services, to rebuild our NHS and make it fit for the future.

“I have such faith in our 10 Year Plan for Health. Bringing care closer to the community will change lives here in Greater Manchester for the better. Let’s do it together!”