Our chair, Lena Samuels, and director of primary care, James Roach, met newly elected MP, Darren Paffey, at St Mary’s Surgery in Southampton. Together they received a tour of the surgery and discussed the opportunities and challenges facing primary care in the city and beyond.
Commenting following the meeting, Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey said:
“This meeting allowed local GPs and NHS leaders to raise issues around the barriers they face in delivering the care they want to provide, particularly in the challenges around funding formulas and the hiring of new GPs. I reassured them that I want to be in partnership with them in breaking down the barriers they face by raising their concerns directly with the Government and inviting ministers down to see how new reforms will work in Southampton”
Also commenting following the meeting, Lena Samuels, Chair of NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said:
“I hugely welcome the opportunity to work with Darren Paffey MP to improve the services, care and outcomes of people across Southampton. As NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, we are focusing our efforts towards proactive and preventative care, and our visit to St Mary’s Surgery was a chance to see real life examples of where this is happening to support the local community”.
Following the tour of the surgery by Phil Aubrey-Harris, Manager of St Marys Surgery said:
“We’d like to thank Darren and Lena for their time visiting us at St Marys Surgery today. It was a great opportunity for us to discuss our challenges, successes and ideas for delivering good care for our patients.”
We are meeting with political representatives of all parties locally in the coming weeks and months.