COLUMN by Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie 

I have been asked by local veterans, midwives, and GPs to look at funding and why specialist roles need to be preserved by Gloucestershire’s NHS. 

I have raised their points with NHS chiefs and the Independent Care Board already.

It is important we listen to our veterans and those on the frontline line of primary and acute care.

GPs have been raising points with Gloucestershire MPs recently. Staffing pressures continue to be a problem alongside an ageing population and more complex health needs and treatments.

There has been a big increase in mental health issues since the pandemic that is adding to the strain.

They were also clear the existing partner model continues to be the most efficient way of running GP services, rather than having a salaried doctor and this was despite recruitment issues.

One suggestion was a limited liability model to encourage people to come into partnerships.

This is interesting to me as I am aware that Labour’s solution for GPs is to rip up their contracts and stop them being private entities but I know that this is not popular in the profession. 

We need to retain GPs and recruit new GPs.

This can be hard in rural areas like the Stroud district but it has to be a focus to ensure services continue for local people. 

On the specialist roles, the government funding for Retention Role Midwives to work to keep our existing staff and two veterans employed at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to help support veterans need to be kept in place.

Everyone I have spoken to has said they have been invaluable. 

The central funding for the roles is coming to a natural end and it will be up to trusts to then decide whether they should be retained.

I recognise the pressures but I believe they should be, especially when we have a shortage of midwives at Stroud Maternity Hospital and raising awareness about veterans’ needs is only just starting to grow.   

Moving forward, the government's long-term workforce plan for the NHS to aid recruitment and retention over the next 15 years went down well and this should help staff the NHS.