AN MP is pressing for the Government to provide an urgent treatment centre in the district to ease pressure on Accident & Emergency departments.

Philip Davies, whose Shipley constituency includes Cullingworth and Denholme, asked the Department of Health in a parliamentary question which cities in the country didn’t currently have an urgent treatment centre (UTC).

“I want to make sure people in the Bradford district can access the right healthcare professionals and services when needed – and creating an UTC with dedicated staff will do this,” he said.

“It will ease pressures on A&E, reduce waiting times and allow patients to be dealt with more quickly.”

In response, it was stated that Bradford was one of 12 cities in the country without a UTC and with no current plans for one.

Mr Davies added: “We are one of the biggest cities in the country with complex health needs and therefore a UTC is crucial. I will keep pushing this matter on behalf of patients across the district, as we need this provision.”