As a former Health Minister and someone with a close understanding of the incredible role our NHS plays each and every day, I am very aware of how difficult the last two and a half years have been – especially for those working on the frontline.

I am also very aware of the concern and frustration of many when it comes to trying to get an appointment at their local GP surgery. People, understandably, need to be feel assured that they are able to count on our NHS when they need to access its services.

Back in November, the Government showed that it was listening and renewed its commitment to our NHS by making a further series of announcements (including £8 billion of funding for the NHS and adult social care in England by 2024-25) in the Autumn Statement. This latest package for our NHS including historic levels of funding isn’t just to tackle the Covid backlog however. It is also being invested to ensure that then, moving forward, our NHS is able to provide even more care to an even better standard.

I remain determined to do all I can to speak up for our local NHS sector and ensure that its thousands of truly dedicated staff are indeed able to provide the standard of services they constantly strive to deliver.

That's why I continue to pay close attention to this issue (among many others in relation to our local NHS, such as NHS dentistry – see more on my campaign here) and why I therefore appreciated the opportunity to engage with the heads of a number of our local Mid Norfolk GP surgeries in the days before Christmas.

Building on the visits and conversations that I’ve long been having with local doctors, nurses and practice staff, I found the meeting incredibly helpful and learned more about the challenges being faced by our local practices on a daily basis. Together, we examined many of the issues being faced on the frontline in depth – and I undertook to write to the Secretary of State, and his ministerial team, to share the insights given to me and continue my work making Mid Norfolk heard in Westminster.

Rest assured, I remain committed to doing all I can to speak up for and represent Mid Norfolk (both on behalf of my concerned constituents and those working in our local NHS) on these vitally important issues in 2023.