Ben Maguire takes North Cornwall healthcare Bill to Parliament

For some people in North Cornwall, getting basic medical care means hours in the car and a hospital that could be hundreds of miles away. Their MP now wants that written into law.

A short Bill with a long reach

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, is bringing his Medical Services (Rural Areas) Bill before Parliament on 1 July. The Bill asks the Government to commit to proper staffing and provision of Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centres across rural constituencies.

Ben’s argument is that rural areas keep coming last when healthcare is planned, and that the people left driving for hours are the ones who have paid in for decades.

“For so many of my North Cornwall constituents, getting basic medical care means a round trip of several hours to hospitals often hundreds of miles away,” Ben said. “It’s just not safe, and these are constituents who’ve paid their National Insurance contributions for decades, yet now face several barriers to accessing the healthcare they deserve.”

What he plans to raise in the debate

During the debate, Ben will use his speech to push on several fronts. Better-staffed Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centres sit at the top of the list. He will also raise the state of dementia care provision in rural areas and gaps in mental health support.

Then there is dentistry. North Cornwall is now recognised as a ‘dental desert’ and ranks among the worst in the country for access.

“My Bill is all about making sure rural communities like ours are not an afterthought when it comes to healthcare planning,” Ben said. “This includes our MIUs, urgent treatment centres, as well as things like provision for dementia care, mental health support, or combatting the ‘dental desert’ here in North Cornwall.”

Who is backing it, and who isn’t

The Bill has secured co-sponsors from MPs representing constituencies across the country. Among them is Layla Moran, Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, along with other MPs who share Ben’s focus on rural healthcare access.

Not everyone came on board. Ben said he was disappointed that no Labour or Conservative MPs were willing to work cross-party on what he called a vital issue for rural constituents.

“I’m very proud that rural MPs from across the country, who take healthcare as seriously as I do, have given their full backing to this Bill, including the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee,” he said. “It has however been very disappointing that not a single Labour or Conservative MP has been willing to work cross-party on this issue which affects all of our rural constituents, regardless of who they vote for.”

Ben said he would put the challenge firmly on the national agenda and directly to Ministers in the House of Commons.