North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire Takes Healthcare Fight to Parliament

For thousands of people across North Cornwall, getting basic medical treatment can mean a long drive. Their MP wants to change that, and he has secured a slot in the House of Commons to make the case.

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, has won the chance to bring forward a 10 Minute Rule Bill, one of the main routes a backbench MP has to introduce new legislation.

What the Bill would do

The proposed Medical Services (Rural Areas) Bill would require the Government to draw up a strategy for expanding Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centres in rural areas. It would also commit Ministers to reporting back to Parliament every year on how that work is progressing.

Ben Maguire says the Bill follows “serious concerns” about access to healthcare in rural areas such as his North Cornwall constituency, where residents often face long journeys to reach treatment and other basic medical services.

How the slot works

Ten Minute Rule Bills are one of the principal ways backbench MPs can introduce legislation and highlight issues of national importance. The catch is the number of slots. They are very limited, so MPs have to apply through a ballot. A successful application gives them the opportunity to make their case directly in the Commons. Ben Maguire secured his this week.

What Ben Maguire said

“North Cornwall is sadly completely overlooked when it comes to healthcare provision. People in rural places like ours should not have to travel huge distances to access treatment that those in urban areas can receive much closer to home. On this, I’ve also been pushing the Government to provide more money to strengthen our dire bus network, especially the lack of direct routes to hospitals.

“That’s why I’m delighted to have officially secured this important Parliamentary debate slot, and have chosen to use it to raise an issue that affects thousands of my constituents in Cornwall, and other rural parts of the country.

“My Bill, the Medical Services (Rural Areas) Bill, is about ensuring we get the healthcare services that we deserve in rural areas, and I’ll be putting that challenge firmly on the national agenda and directly to Ministers in the House of Commons.”