COLCHESTER MP Pam Cox has been slammed for putting her party ahead of key health and care reform.

The city’s new Labour MP did not vote to support two parliamentary motions that would have seen the Government tackle the health and care crises.

Tabled as part of the Liberal Democrats’ first Opposition Day since 2009, the first proposal focused on the Carer’s Allowance repayments scandal, calling on the Government to write off existing overpayments and conduct a full review of support for unpaid carers. 

The second motion urged ministers to boost access to community healthcare, heavily criticising the current wait times for GP, NHS dentist and local pharmacy appointments.

Shocking recent data uncovered by the Lib Dems revealed that in the last year, 45% of British people have tried and were unable to get an NHS appointment. The statistics further indicated that 1 in 4 people have been unable to work because of this lack of access to appointments. 

Colchester Lib Dem spokesman Martin Goss said: “I’m deeply disappointed to see that the Labour Government opposed these motions. 

“What was even more disappointing was to see that our local MP did not support the motions in Parliament that would see more support for health and care services in our community. 

“The state of local healthcare is dire and the carers’ overpayment scandal is a national disgrace. So many families and pensioners are in desperate need of a fair deal.” 

The Liberal Democrats’ proposal called for new healthcare mandates which would give everyone the right to see a GP within 7 days (or within 24 hours if in urgent need) and guarantee emergency access to an NHS dentist.

Despite the huge strain on the NHS as we head into the winter months, Labour MPs voted against the motions.

Martin added: “Our Liberal Democrat MPs threw their support behind these measures and voted to rescue our GPs, NHS dentists, community pharmacists and of course our carers. 

“Locally, we’ll keep putting pressure on Pam Cox to do the right thing. Health and social care must be a top priority.”