Horsham MP John Milne is calling for emergency measures to protect patients and the NHS ahead of winter, after new data revealed that A&E visits in Surrey and Sussex reached 9,187 in June and July, up from 5,784 during the same period a decade ago.
The figures also show that 1,213 patients waited 12 hours or more in A&E before admission during those two months.
Mr Milne, a Liberal Democrat, said: “Health services locally and across the country are under enormous strain.
“What used to be described as a winter NHS crisis is in danger of becoming a year-round ‘permacrisis’, and too many are paying the price.”
He warned that the sharp rise in A&E demand points to an NHS in “permacrisis,” with services under sustained pressure throughout the year.
The MP is supporting calls for the government to introduce an emergency support package ahead of the typically busier winter months.
Horsham does not have its own A&E department, and Mr Milne says this leaves residents particularly vulnerable during periods of high demand.
He said: “In Horsham, we don’t have an A&E department of our own.
“People rely on overstretched GPs or face long journeys to Crawley or Redhill when minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
“This situation is not the fault of our healthcare workers, who work tirelessly; it is the product of years of neglect and underfunding.
“I am calling for urgent action to be taken to prevent another crisis for workers and patients this winter.”
Mr Milne is also campaigning for a broader range of treatments to be offered at Horsham Hospital to reduce pressure on neighbouring hospitals and improve care closer to home.
He said: “Alongside the need for emergency measures from the government, my campaign is about making healthcare genuinely accessible for Horsham residents.
“I would like to see more treatments delivered at Horsham Hospital to support surrounding hospitals and patients who are unable to travel long distances for care.
“I’m also pushing for better transport links and discounted hospital parking for residents. No one should face extra barriers to get the care they desperately need.”