Merton Liberal Democrats: A Healthier Merton

Only 6 in 10 eligible women in Merton receive breast cancer screening each year - below the national average. Local NHS services are under sustained pressure, with major repair backlogs at St Helier Hospital. Liberal Democrats set out a plan to shift healthcare towards prevention and early diagnosis.

Merton Liberal Democrats have launched their plan for A Healthier Merton - a programme to improve early diagnosis, expand access to healthcare, and bring services closer to residents.

A key proposal is the creation of Merton’s first dedicated breast cancer screening centre to increase uptake and catch cases earlier. This would be a key part of a new ‘Her Health Matters’ Strategy to improve access to specialist women’s health services, tackling long waits for conditions such as endometriosis and menopause care. It would commit the Council to work with the NHS to introduce walk-in Women’s Health Hubs across Merton. The Department of Health and Social Care called for a national expansion of these hubs in 2022, and Government analysis shows that every £1 invested in Women’s Health Hubs delivers £5 in benefits, improving access to care and reducing barriers to early diagnosis.

To make healthcare more accessible, they will launch a ‘Health on the High Street’ programme - bringing diagnostics, screenings and vaccinations into town centres.

The plan also includes targeted action on young people’s mental health, including a borough-wide youth summit to tackle body image and mental health pressures, alongside reopening the Council’s social prescribing service.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for urgent Government investment to repair and modernise St Helier Hospital, ensuring safe, high-quality care for local residents.

Finally, the party will re-focus the Council’s Borough of Sport agenda on measurable improvements in participation and facilities, with a stronger focus on access for women and girls.

This plan forms part of the Liberal Democrats’ “Six to Fix” priorities for the 2026 local elections.

Cllr Tony Reiss, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Lead said:

“Right now too many people are waiting too long for care - or missing out on early diagnosis altogether. That isn’t good enough.

“We need to shift from a system that reacts too late to one that prevents illness in the first place. That means earlier screening, faster diagnosis, and care that’s easier to access.

“Our plan will bring services into the heart of our communities - from new breast cancer screening facilities to healthcare on our high streets - so people can get the help they need, when they need it.

“We’re also determined to improve support for women’s health and tackle the growing crisis in young people’s mental health.

“A healthier Merton means healthier lives, stronger communities, and real opportunity for everyone who lives here.”