LABOUR has promised to train a new generation of NHS staff to cut the record long waiting times at Countess of Chester Hospital at a visit to Chester University today.

Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and Labour’s candidate for the Chester by-election Samantha Dixon met with nursing and midwifery students at Chester University today (Tuesday, November 15), where they spoke about Labour’s plan to train the future NHS workforce, creating 10,000 new nursing and midwifery placements each year.

Chester students spoke about their experiences training in medical professions. One said she was inspired to study nursing after her experience providing end of life care for her parents. A student specialising in child mental health said that services are running at 111% capacity whilst child suicide rates are on the rise.

Figures from NHS England show more than 40,000 people are currently waiting for treatment at the Countess of Chester NHS Hospital Trust. Almost 5,000 have been waiting more than a year for treatment at the local trust, in which time there have been three Prime Ministers and three health secretaries.

Patients are waiting longer than ever before in A&E. More than 3,000 patients in the last six months have waited longer than 12 hours in Countess of Chester A&E before being admitted. Research published in the Emergency Medicine Journal has found that waits of more than 5 hours to be admitted to A&E significantly increase the risk of patients dying.

Despite record numbers of vacancies in the NHS, the Conservatives capped medical school places this summer so there were 3,000 fewer places available. This means straight-A students who want to join the NHS are being turned away, at a time when they are needed most.

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Patients in Chester are waiting months and even years for treatment, often in serious pain and discomfort. In an emergency, patients are left waiting hours for an ambulance or entire days in A&E. For many this means being unable to work and putting their lives on hold.

"The NHS is now approaching winter with the longest waiting times in its history and record shortages of staff. NHS staff are slogging their guts out but there simply aren’t enough of them.

"The cavalry is coming with Labour. We will train a new generation of doctors and nurses so in Chester are treated on time again. Our plan will be paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status, because patients need doctors and nurses more than the wealthiest need a tax break."

Labour has committed to the biggest expansion of medical training in history, which it says will give the Countess of Chester the staff it needs to treat patients on time again. Labour’s plan includes:

• Doubling the number of medical school places to train 15,000 doctors a year

• Doubling the number of district nurses qualifying each year

• Training 5,000 new health visitors a year

• Creating 10,000 more nursing and midwifery clinical placements each year

The plans will be paid for by abolishing non-dom tax status, which allows residents of the UK to avoid paying taxes here.

Labour’s candidate for the Chester by-election Samantha Dixon said: "It was a pleasure to meet with some of the next generation of nurses and midwives today, being trained at our very own Chester University.

"In Chester we have an opportunity to be at the heart of Labour’s plans to bring about the biggest expansion of medical training in history, so that hospitals including the Countess of Chester have the staff they need to treat patients on time.

"After 12 years of Tory mismanagement, our public services including our NHS is on the brink. Only Labour has a plan to grow the economy, restore our public services and make sure patients are treated on time again."