I support the Health Secretary's plans for a truly 7-day NHS and fully believe in his commitment to improve patient care. There is nothing that embodies the spirit of One Nation coming together more than the NHS, and nothing that working people depend on more. I am delighted that the Government is committed to securing free healthcare for everyone - wherever you are and whenever you need it.
That means getting the best care and making that care available for everyone. I believe that by sticking to the Government's plan, we can become the first country in the world to deliver a truly 7-day NHS.
This issue has been recently debated in Parliament I voted in favour of this debate via the Petitions Select Committee. I would like to assure you that this is simply about trying to make sure that patients get the same high quality, safe care on a Saturday and Sunday as they do during a week day. I know that there are still up to 6,000 preventable deaths each year because of a lack of proper seven-day services in hospitals, something we need to tackle. Therefore, the Government wants to change this so that you can be confident that you and your loved ones will receive the same level of care whatever day of the week you are admitted to an NHS hospital. That is why I welcome the Government's commitment to expand access to GPs and ensure that hospitals are properly staffed with consultants seven days a week.
I know that the Government feels it is under an obligation to the public to do all it can to make NHS care at the weekend as safe as during the week, through proposed changes that balance this with fairness to doctors. I think it is vital that we do so to protect and preserve the values of the NHS that are so central to our national identity. This will secure a better future for Britain - one where people can be sure that the NHS will always be there for them.