Sarah Coombes MP: Rebuilding our NHS in West Brom
After 14 years of Conservative neglect of the NHS, people in West Bromwich and across the Black Country are struggling to access the healthcare they need, when they need it.
Whether it’s getting a GP appointment, finding a dentist, or securing treatment at the local hospital, I’ve heard time and again from residents who feel let down by a system that should be there to support them.
I am determined to improve our local NHS services for all residents across the constituency. To do this, I recently held a public meeting at Oakham Church in Tividale to feed into the NHS 10 Year Health Plan being undertaken by the new government, who – like me – are committed to fixing the foundations of our NHS.
Getting an Appointment Shouldn’t Be a Battle
One of the biggest frustrations I hear about is the struggle to get a GP appointment. Too often, people are left on hold for hours, only to be told there are no slots available. This isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. I heard from a constituent who couldn’t see a GP, and the early signs of cancer were missed. This shouldn’t ever happen. That’s why I've been pushing for better local services like better GP provision. I’ve been speaking with local healthcare leaders to advocate for this, to ensure everyone can get an appointment when they need it.
The Right Care, Close to Home
Beyond GP services, I hear so many cases of people who cannot access other NHS care. Whether it’s getting a hospital appointment, finding an NHS dentist, or receiving mental health support, the story is the same—long waits and not enough local provision.
We need to rebuild healthcare infrastructure so that people don’t have to travel further afield for essential services. That means investment in our hospitals, more NHS dentists, and greater funding for community health services, particularly mental health.
But investment cannot come without reform and the new Labour government understands the scale of the challenge. We are already making progress. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already taken tough decisions on tax to invest an extra £26 billion into the NHS this year.
In just the last five months, we’ve delivered two million extra NHS appointments across the country. That’s two million more people getting the care they need, faster.
But this is just the start. I’ll continue fighting to ensure West Bromwich gets its fair share of investment, so that every person in our community can access the healthcare they deserve.
