An MP has called on health chiefs for urgent action to tackle A&E delays and better use of his main town’s hospital.

Charlie Elphicke, for Dover and Deal, said: “I have serious concerns.

“Emergency care in our hospitals is not good enough. People are waiting far too long to be seen.

“The government is pumping an extra £10 billion of cash into the NHS in real terms.
“Our trust needs to be run better.

“I want to see real improvements. I want to see our brand new hospital in Dover being fully utilised, with more services.”

Mr Elphicke had a crunch meeting with East Kent Hospital University Foundation Trust interim chief executive Liz Shutler after Matthew Kershaw resigned last week.

He also spoke with Trust chairman Nikki Cole.

Ms Shutler detailed several measures to improve emergency departments – including hiring 10 new doctors, opening three new treatment areas and an ambulatory care unit in Ashford, and expanding the facility in Margate.

She also agreed to look at bringing more services to Buckland Hospital in Dover.

Mr Elphicke said: “Ms Shutler promised to have a serious look at this and I welcome that commitment.”

Charlie has also been told a healthcare provider recently placed into special measures could have its contract terminated.

Nestor Primecare Services – which delivers NHS 111 and out-of-hours doctor services across east Kent – was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission last month.

A damning report on August 3 said it put patients at risk with low staffing, untrained staff and delays in treatment.

Mr Elphicke said: “We are getting more services at our local hospitals, but healthcare outside of them is just as important.

“We must see Primecare deliver swift and significant improvements.”