On 17th October 2024, Rebecca Smith MP met with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to fight for Derriford Hospital’s funding. The Chancellor threw the future of Derriford's new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility into doubt with the announcement of the New Hospital Programme Review in July.
Patients across South West Devon and the wider South West have been deeply concerned by this move, writing directly to Rebecca. In response, on 24th September 2024, Rebecca launched a petition calling for the project to be honoured which has collected several hundred signatures and continues to gather momentum. Rebecca has used this petition to demonstrate the strength of local opinion and pressure the Government to follow through on its commitment to Derriford.
Responding to the meeting, Rebecca stated:
The future of Derriford Hospital's new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility was thrown into doubt in July when the Government placed it under review. As I have outlined in my petition, the new facility is essential to treat the sickest patients more quickly, avoid unnecessary admissions, facilitate early discharge and improve outcomes.
Today’s meeting with the Health Secretary provided a further opportunity to make the case for Derriford’s new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility. I am deeply worried by the delay in a funding commitment and will continue to campaign passionately for the Government to honour its commitment to our hospital.
Rebecca has been a leading campaigner for Derriford’s new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility since being elected, taking several steps:
- Asked pressing questions in Parliament
- Launched a petition with hundreds of signatures
- Wide press coverage of petition, including the Tavistock Times Gazette, Moorlander, Plymouth Chronicle and the front page of the Plymouth Herald
- Requested urgent meeting with Health Secretary
- Worked cross-party in Plymouth with local MPs to apply pressure
Sign the petition here or scan the QR code: https://www.rebecca-smith.org.uk/campaigns/sign-rebeccas-petition-save-derriford-hospitals-new-urgent-and-emergency-care-facility
