I met with two constituents this week who are long-term NHS haemodialysis patients to discuss their concerns over the proposed relocation of Camberwell Dialysis Services to a privately run practice in Brixton. Members of the Kidney Patients Association outlined how they have been notified that these services will be relocated from March 2024, with the current building they are housed in no longer fit for purpose. From their new Brixton site, they will be outsourced to an international company called Diaverum. Staff are being asked to give up their NHS contracts and transfer to Diaverum, raising the very real possibility of losing a dedicated team of experienced specialist staff.

On the same week NHS waiting lists hit record highs of 7.6 million, I am very concerned about these proposals. I’ve agreed to support my constituents in their campaign to save Camberwell’s Dialysis Services and maintain the provision of the high-quality NHS dialysis care. The money we spend on our NHS must go into the essential health services we all rely on, not into the coffers of multinational healthcare corporations.