Lib Dem leader Ed Davey says Norfolk's hospitals are in 'total crisis'

The Lib Dem leader visited North Walsham on Wednesday (April 12) to officially open the party’s new north Norfolk office in Market Cross Mews.

Mr Davey said his party's health plan involved recruiting 8,000 GPs nationwide and increasing the minimum wage for carers to relieve pressures on the health service.

It comes as ambulance crews spent a “soul-destroying” 31,423 combined hours – equivalent to three-and-a-half years – in queues outside hospitals in Norfolk between November 12 to April 2.

Lib Dem leader ED Davey holding up an Eastern Daily Press story highlighting delays in the NHS (Image: Adam Barker)

“The NHS in Norfolk and across the country is in total crisis,” Mr Davey said.

“The Liberal Democrats' NHS rescue plan would help relieve pressure at Norfolk’s hospitals.”

Mr Davey said the four-year programme had been developed with health experts. It aimed to recruit and retain GPs to take pressure off A&E departments by making it easier for people to book GP appointments.

The plan would also support the care system by introducing a new minimum wage for both professional and family carers – a £2 increase from the current £10.42 an hour minimum wage.

The new Lib Dem office in North Walsham (Image: Adam Barker)

Mr Davey also pledged to continue to protect the environment in north Norfolk, calling for the government and water companies to “clean up their act” in regard to discharging sewage into rivers and waterways. 

The Lib Dems hold a majority in North Norfolk District Council and Mr Davey said he was confident they would retain control of the area in the upcoming local elections in May.

“North Norfolk is one of the jewels of the crown for the Liberal Democrats and I’m really proud of what we have achieved here,” he said.

“When the Liberal Democrats took it over, the Conservatives had not run it well. They had forgotten the market towns in this area, which the Lib Dems have revitalised and revived.”