Good health is one of the most precious things we have, yet often we only appreciate it when we don’t have it. When illness or injury strikes, we turn to the NHS to help get us back on our feet.

That is why I have sent a survey to 30,000 local homes about the state of the NHS and your experiences of it. I’m grateful to the thousands who have already replied. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to share your views online at www.rozsavage.uk/healthsurvey (or click on the button at the end of this newsletter).

My survey coincides with the government’s first league tables covering larger hospital Acute Trusts, Non-Acute Trusts for mental health and learning disabilities, and our ambulance service. Representing residents across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, I see the differences between the two NHS structures, so these results are particularly interesting.

The South West Ambulance Service is unfortunately second to bottom in the national rankings. I will be pressing for a clear plan to improve. On hospitals, Gloucestershire’s Acute Trust performs much better than its Wiltshire counterparts, and the same is true of the Non-Acute Trusts. League tables never tell the whole story, but they do help us ask the right questions of NHS managers.

Alongside this scrutiny, I’m working with local partners on positive health initiatives. Through Stronger South Cotswolds, we’re developing plans to support residents who want to live healthier lives - including future schemes to improve access to nutritious, locally sourced food, community-based walking groups and other lifestyle changes that support better health and wellbeing. We’re not delivering these initiatives yet, but our ambition is clear: prevention must sit alongside treatment.

What we do not need is more division. Reform UK’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is not only morally wrong but fundamentally dishonest. They want you to believe that immigrants are blocking your GP appointments.

In reality, around 17% of NHS staff are from overseas - including 30% of doctors and 16% of nurses. Without them, our NHS would simply collapse. Instead of fewer GP appointments, these doctors and nurses make thousands more appointments possible than would otherwise exist. So the real question is: do we want to weaken our NHS with hostility, or strengthen it by welcoming those who care for us?

As Parliament reconvenes after the conference recess, I will continue to hold NHS managers to account, push for improvements to services across our area, and work to build healthier, more connected communities in the South Cotswolds. Together we can ensure our NHS remains strong - and that everyone has the support they need to live healthy lives.

P.S. My apologies there was no newsletter last week. A hiccup at the Wilts and Glos Standard meant that my column wasn't printed, so we skipped a week on the newsletter so we could stay in sync.

 
A few of the things I've done this week...
✅ Published my first article in Lib Dem Voice: Tough on Farage, Tough on the Causes of Farage, Enjoy!

✅Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth was fun and interesting – including beach cricket with Ed Davey and colleagues as a break from the serious stuff. That’s me hiding under the Lib Dem baseball cap. Otherwise, I spoke in the debate on People and Planet [I’m sure you’re dying to read the policy motion, so here it is!

✅After conference I went to a fantastic evening in London exploring the future of UK democracy, hosted by Our House, alongside household names from TV and music. When famous folks start getting interested in democratic reform, it’s time to take notice…

✅It has been conference recess this week, and I’ve made the most of the chance to get away for some hiking in the Swiss Alps. 😇🏔️

And a reminder that you can check out sources of funding for local projects on our Stronger South Cotswolds website!

Health Survey 2025

Your views on local NHS services matter, and we want to make sure your voice is heard. By completing this short survey, you’ll help us identify what’s working—and what needs to change—so we can campaign for the healthcare our communities deserve.
Complete the survey here
 
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the South Cotswolds
 
Roz is fighting for better investment in SEND services and improved access to timely, high-quality care and support. From tackling waiting times for assessments to ensuring that schools have the resources they need to support SEND pupils, Roz is committed to making sure that SEND provision is a priority for the government.

Show your support for the campaign by signing our petition today…

Sign our petition!
 
Quote of the week:

“The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it,”

― Aneurin Bevan, founder of the NHS

Have a great week!

Roz Savage MP