'˜Tories to blame for Blackpool Vic rating'

Fourteen out of 16 services provided by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are now rated as ‘good’ by the CQC.

But failings were identified in the emergency department, which earlier this year was named the worst in the country for hitting its four-hour waiting time target.

Ms Smith, MP for Fleetwood, said: “The CQC rating of NHS Blackpool Teaching Hospitals of ‘requires improvement’ will come as a disappointment to us all on the Fylde Coast. Having visited Blackpool Victoria Hospital earlier this month, I have seen first-hand the dedication and commitment our hardworking NHS staff have day-in and day-out and I hope none of them feel this report is a judgment on them and their commitment.

“This rating is a consequence of the NHS crisis and chronic mismanagement from the Conservative government.

“Patients are waiting for hours in overcrowded A&Es, waiting lists are rising and hospitals are facing huge financial problems.

“Since 2010, the number of people waiting longer than four hours in A&E has soared. In 2016/17, 2.5m people waited four hours or longer in A&E, compared to just over 350,000 in 2009/10. Most recent data shows that only 85 per cent of A&E patients are being seen within four hours, against a target of 95 per cent.

“Only Labour will stand up for the NHS. We will give the NHS over £30billion of extra investment over the next parliament and we will invest an extra £8billion to tackle the crisis in social care.”