We all rely on our NHS for the care we need at what can be some of the most difficult of times in family life.
Here in Barnsley and across the country, NHS staff spend their careers ensuring that people can get the care they need, no matter what their circumstances.
The hard work they do is so important to our community, and I know that local people are truly grateful for this.
The NHS has been vital to scientific and public health breakthroughs, including the development of various widespread vaccination programmes, the introduction of routine cancer screenings, and the development of medical technology such as CT and MRI scanners.
The NHS epitomises Labour’s belief that high-quality, reliable healthcare should be available to all, not just the richest few.
However, our NHS is in crisis after years of successive Conservative governments starving our health service for resources.
As a result, I know that people have experienced delays in receiving the care they need and deserve for far too long.
Demand is higher than the service can manage, and I hear from people across Barnsley regularly about the issues that they are encountering in accessing the NHS services they need in a suitable time frame.
In Parliament, I have championed various health-related issues, including disruption to local oncology services, defibrillator access across the country, hospice care, access to NHS dentistry, and suicide prevention.
I was pleased that the government committed to building an NHS fit for the future as one of our key pledges upon taking office. We have already taken steps towards delivering on this pledge.
As part of this, the Prime Minister introduced the Elective Reform Plan earlier this month, which outlines measures to help more people access care closer to home, with the aim of hitting the 18-week referral target.
This will include the expanded use of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), set to be open for 12 hours a day, seven days a week wherever possible.
Health Ministers will help to address issues that services have been facing due to seasonal pressures, such as those experienced during flu season, increasing the number of surgical hubs available for public use.
I am committed to working to ensure that the NHS can continue to provide the high-quality care that people expect, and deserve, to receive.
I regularly meet with Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust regarding local issues, so if you have anything you would like me to raise on your behalf at my next meeting, get in touch at stephanie.peacock.mp@parliament.uk.
