Letter to Theo Clarke MP about the NHS
Many of you are concerned about the current state of the NHS and may want to make that concern clear to our local Member of Parliament. The below is a draft letter you may wish to use to express that concern.
You can email it or post it to our MP - and may wish to include the Health Secretary and Prime Minister too.
Theo Clarke M.P.
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
[email protected]
Dear Theo Clarke,
I am firmly committed to the provision of universal health care, regardless of the ability to pay, one of the founding principles of the NHS and a source of national pride, not least during the selfless service of so many staff during the worst days of the Covid -19 pandemic. It is, therefore, with sorrow that I am now writing to express my concern, sense of shame, and anger at the crisis that is close to overwhelming our hospitals, their staff and patients.
I have seen and heard reports from reputable sources describing conditions in Accident and Emergency departments as being, “like a war zone”, “worse than a third world country” and “shameful”, amongst many other similar descriptions. Correspondents describe the lack of privacy and dignity afforded to seriously ill people who are being examined and treated in corridors, canteens and repurposed cupboards. Such treatment is often only provided after many hours of equally undignified waiting, either in the building or in an ambulance queue outside the doors.
The causes are numerous and complex and it not my desire to explore them here nor to apportion blame. Rather, I am writing to urge you to use all the influence you have with government ministers, NHS leaders and social care providers to agitate for urgent and immediate action to address the catastrophe that is being played out daily.
I assure you that I do not wish to hear more words or promises, no matter how sincerely intentioned. What I fervently seek is concrete evidence of immediate action to alleviate some of the pressures which are making unsustainable demands upon health staff, causing fear amongst the vulnerable and, unarguably, leading to loss of lives.
Please do not spend valuable time sending me a reply at this time. I am sure you share my concerns so the best response to this message will be for a rapid improvement in the provision of Accident and Emergency care that will begin to enable dedicated and committed staff to treat patients with the care and dignity that they deserve.
Assuring you and your colleagues of my prayers.
NB Whether sending a letter or using email it is essential to include your home address including post code.
The message could also be copied to:
Rt Hon Steve Barclay Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [email protected]
Rt Hon Rishi Sunak Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union [email protected]
You can email it or post it to our MP - and may wish to include the Health Secretary and Prime Minister too.
Theo Clarke M.P.
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
[email protected]
Dear Theo Clarke,
I am firmly committed to the provision of universal health care, regardless of the ability to pay, one of the founding principles of the NHS and a source of national pride, not least during the selfless service of so many staff during the worst days of the Covid -19 pandemic. It is, therefore, with sorrow that I am now writing to express my concern, sense of shame, and anger at the crisis that is close to overwhelming our hospitals, their staff and patients.
I have seen and heard reports from reputable sources describing conditions in Accident and Emergency departments as being, “like a war zone”, “worse than a third world country” and “shameful”, amongst many other similar descriptions. Correspondents describe the lack of privacy and dignity afforded to seriously ill people who are being examined and treated in corridors, canteens and repurposed cupboards. Such treatment is often only provided after many hours of equally undignified waiting, either in the building or in an ambulance queue outside the doors.
The causes are numerous and complex and it not my desire to explore them here nor to apportion blame. Rather, I am writing to urge you to use all the influence you have with government ministers, NHS leaders and social care providers to agitate for urgent and immediate action to address the catastrophe that is being played out daily.
I assure you that I do not wish to hear more words or promises, no matter how sincerely intentioned. What I fervently seek is concrete evidence of immediate action to alleviate some of the pressures which are making unsustainable demands upon health staff, causing fear amongst the vulnerable and, unarguably, leading to loss of lives.
Please do not spend valuable time sending me a reply at this time. I am sure you share my concerns so the best response to this message will be for a rapid improvement in the provision of Accident and Emergency care that will begin to enable dedicated and committed staff to treat patients with the care and dignity that they deserve.
Assuring you and your colleagues of my prayers.
NB Whether sending a letter or using email it is essential to include your home address including post code.
The message could also be copied to:
Rt Hon Steve Barclay Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [email protected]
Rt Hon Rishi Sunak Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union [email protected]