Douglas Carswell

This is how the NHS isn't working in Clacton

Several days after hitting her head and passing out unconscious, my constituent still had not received any medical attention.  It was not through lack of trying.

Her husband did what he was supposed to do, calling 111. Advised to attend her local hospital, she then sat there ignored for several hours, eventually feeling so unwell she gave up and went home.

When they tried calling 111 again, they only got an answerphone.

It gets worse.

When my constituent asked me to get involved, I wrote to the health minister, Jeremy Hunt.

I know that you cannot look into every individual case, I explain in my letter to Jeremy, but what is happening on the ground and what your officials tell you is taking place are two separate things. Here in our part of Essex, someone who knocks their head and is rendered unconscious cannot get medical attention for several days. Could you make a few enquires to find out what is going on?

So I get a letter back from someone called Lord Prior of Brampton. This unelected member of the House of Lords is apparently in charge of these things. Except he's not, according to his letter.

It's the responsibility of the local CCG apparently. Or NHS England. Or anyone but the NHS minister.

Lord Prior, a former MP rejected by the voters of North Norfolk, went on to become Chair of the CQC.  He served on the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard Strategic Advisory Group.  He has been chair of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.  

It seems to me as if Lord Prior has done rather well out of the NHS.  My constituent cannot even get seen by a doctor.

No medical attention for her head injury. No follow up or diagnosis. No one in charge. A former quangocrat minister who won't accept responsibility.  

This is how our country is run today.

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