LABOUR’S Parliamentary Candidate for Harlow Laura McAlpine, has responded to Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health, admitting that meeting A&E waiting time targets in the East of England will be ‘very difficult’.

Laura McAlpine said: “Matt Hancock’s comments expose the utter incompetence of this Government. Setting targets that they have no intention of meeting.

“Last year Princess Alexandra Hospital faced the highest wait times in the U.K, the closure of other A&E departments and walk in centres in the region have put immense pressure on Harlow.

“Nationally, we’ve seen the abolishment of nursing bursaries whilst we are faced with a shortage of 40,000 nurses. Only Labour will deliver a properly funded NHS with patient care prioritised over profits.”