Comparing latest NHS figures for June and July 2025 with 2015’s data, analysis by Zöe’s team shows: 

 

June: 

• Number of A&E attendances up 35.7% 

• Number of patients waiting more than 4 hours up 931% 

July: 

• Number of A&E attendances up 33% 

• Number of patients waiting more than 4 hours up 851% 

   

Zöe Franklin MP said: “These figures chart the shameful neglect of the NHS over 14 years of Conservative government. 

“I know the staff at the Royal Surrey County Hospital work so hard but go to work every day knowing their best efforts can’t undo the impact the Conservatives’ savage cuts and neglect have done to our NHS. 

“I welcome the new Labour government’s commitment to tackling the huge problems 14 years of under-funding has caused. 

“But these figures show people in Guildford constituency who needed A&E care faced a summer crisis.  

“We must have an urgent assessment of these figures and put in place measures to protect the NHS and its patients ahead of the winter months, when A&E services will be under even greater strain.” 

• There were 15,150 A&E attendances in Guildford constituency’s RSCH during June and July, compared to 11,279 a decade ago. An increase of 34% 

• The number of patients waiting more than four hours in June was 9 times higher 

• The number waiting more than four hours in July was 8.5 times higher 

 

Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat MP for Guildford constituency added: “The pressures of the annual ‘Winter Crisis’ are now being felt all year round. Staff are working in incredibly demanding roles without the resources and colleagues they need, and inevitably, patients suffer the consequences.  

“The Royal College of Emergency Medicine said that in 2024,16,600 deaths were linked to long A&E waits before admission.  

“We also know that when people need to see an NHS dentist or GP but can’t get an appointment, A&E can be the only option for them to get the care they need. 

“I want to see emergency measures, including: 

• increasing vaccine uptake for seasonal illnesses 

• increasing access to pharmacies 

• increasing the number of out-of-hours GPs 

• increasing the number of NHS dentist appointments  

“The government can’t fix this crisis overnight. But acting now, ahead of the winter months must be a priority.” 

 

• The NHS figures can be found here.  

• Research by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine can be found here.

On Friday 20^th June 2025, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returned to the House of Commons for MPs to vote on a final selection of amendments and for Third Reading.

The day began at 9:30am with votes on five amendments to the Bill. Below is a short explanation of the clauses and the outcomes of the votes, including how I voted.

New Clause 16

This clause sought to prevent an individual from accessing voluntary assisted dying if they are substantially motivated by not wanting to be a burden, a mental health disorder, financial concerns and some other factors.

I considered this amendment and while I understand the positive motivation behind it, I believe it to be unworkable in practice because doctor cannot be expected to determine what has “substantially motivated” a patient - it is not a commonly understood medical or legal concept. They can and must make a clinical judgement on the very strict eligibility criteria and will receive training to help them do so. The Bill is also clear that a person is not “terminally ill” only by reason of having a disability or mental disorder (or both). They must have an “inevitably progressive illness or disease which cannot be reversed by treatment” and a six-month terminal prognosis by two doctors.

I therefore vote against this amendment alongside the majority of MPs. Therefore, it was not added to the Bill.

Amendment 12

This amendment would have prevented the Secretary of State from making changes to the NHS Act.

As it stands, the original wording of the Bill is clear that the NHS Act be amended only if needed for the purposes of making the Bill workable and would not open the back door for the Secretary of State to change the NHS Act on whatever issue they please. In view of this I voted against the amendment alongside the majority of MPs and therefore the amendment did not pass.

Amendment 14

This amendment seeks to ensure that it would not be possible for a person who has stopped eating and drinking to access voluntary assisted dying.

I supported this amendment, as it is a helpful extra safeguard for the Bill, in particular helping to avoid any ‘loophole’ around anorexia. (It is worth noting that mental disorders are specially excluded from the Bill and anorexia is not ‘inevitably progressive’ which is a key part of eligibility under the Bill).

The amendment passed and was added to the Bill.

Amendment 24

This amendment would remove the assumption of capacity that exists currently under the Mental Health Act when assessing for voluntary assisted dying. 

In considering this amendment I was struck by the comments of Sir Christopher Whitty (Chief Medical Officer for England) in relation to the current wording of the Bill (below) and therefore decided that removing the assumption of capacity would be unhelpful and unnecessary.

As a practitioner, I was relieved that the decision was for the Bill—if it stays this way—to stick with the Mental Capacity Act, and that was for two reasons. First, that Act is used up and down the country by doctors and nurses every day; they know it and they understand it… It additionally has the advantage of being tested in the courts. That has gone as far as the Supreme Court, and the various ambiguities that were inevitably in the legislation have been clarified by senior judges. Therefore, to practitioners like me, it feels like a piece of robust and predictable legislation.

I voted against the amendment, as did the majority of MPs and therefore the amendment was not passed.

Amendment 21

I was pleased to support the tabling of this amendment, by my colleague Munira Wilson MP, which would require the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to prepare and publish an assessment of the availability, quality and distribution of palliative and end of life care services as part of the first report on implementation of the Act (to be undertaken within 1 year of the Act being passed). This would mirror the assessment already required as part of the 5-year review of the act.

From the start of the process for the Bill I have been clear that it is not an either / or choice when it comes to palliative care and voluntary assisted dying – they are both crucial and current palliative care is not where it should and needs to be. Not due to the professionals who work day by day to provide care and support for patients and families needing palliative care, but due to a lack of funding and recognition by Government of the important role it performs.

I am pleased to say that this amendment was passed without a vote, as it was supported by all MPs in the Commons when announced by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Amendment 78 and 79

These amendments were tabled by Kim Leadbeater to ensure that the devolution settlement is fully respected in the Bill. They do not encroach on matters that are properly devolved, but they do ensure that the right powers are exercised by the right people at the right time.

I therefore voted AYE to keep them in the Bill, alongside a majority of MPs. Therefore, the amendment was added to the Bill.

Third Reading

After a considered debate by MPs from all parties and all views on the Bill, the House of Commons moved to a vote on whether the Bill should be accepted as currently drafted and amended, and continue on to be scrutinised in the House of Lords.

I have given serious consideration to the Bill, in particular the safeguards within it to protect vulnerable people especially under 18s, people with mental health disorder, people with disabilities - this is a very significant piece of legislation. I am grateful to everyone who has written to me to share their questions, concerns and personal stories – each has given me food for thought as I have considered how to vote at Third Reading.

I continue to be concerned that palliative care provision is not where it needs to be and will continue to raise this issue with the Government – palliative care and the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill are two pieces of crucial legislation for those facing a terminal illness diagnosis.

After much thought, I voted in favour of the Bill at Third Reading. The Bill, as amended, passed by a majority of 23 and will now continue on to the next stage of scrutiny in the Lords.

You can find out more information on what happens next in this BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rpdxz11d8o

Following my speech in the debate on the Mental Health Bill, I was asked to be one of the Liberal Democrat’s two members of the Mental Health Bill Committee.  

Bill Committees go through the detail of a bill line-by-line to improve it and ensure it is as effective as possible.

Since becoming MP, I’ve heard from people experiencing mental health problems (and their families) that current support needs to be improved.  

Last week in the committee I have pushed for improvements including:

• Ensuring people experiencing a mental health crisis are told they can have support from an independent person
• Making sure that people get the medical treatment the location they get it is also taken into consideration
• That support includes help with housing, debt and other problems that could make mental health challenges worse. 

You can learn more about the role of Public Bill Committees on the Parliament website. 

On Friday 13th June 2025, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returned House of Commons for MPs to consider further amendments to the Bill.

There was a detailed debate with MPs from across the UK, and different perspectives on the issue of voluntary assisted dying, speaking to a range of amendments that have been tabled the Bill. At the end of the debate there were three votes on clauses which the Speaker of the House of Commons had selected for separate vote.

The votes are detailed below with an indication of their purpose and the outcome of the vote.

 

1. New Clause 1
   This clause would have prevented healthcare professionals from raising voluntary assisted dying with a patient unless they ask about it. I considered this amendment before the vote, in particular a briefing from the British Medical Association which outlined that they considered that this any amendment that “limits or hinders open discussion about any aspect of death and dying is likely to be detrimental to patient care.” With this in mind, I voted against the amendment. A majority of MPs voted against the amendment and therefore it did not pass and was not added to the Bill.

    

2. New Clause 2
   This clause prevents healthcare professionals from raising voluntary assisted dying with patients under 18. I supported the tabling of this amendment and voted in favour of it. A majority of MPs supported this clause, and it has now been added to the Bill, helping to strengthen safeguards already in the Bill.

    

3. New Clause 14 (NC14) amendment b
   Clause 14 prohibits adverts promoting services related to voluntary assisted dying but allows minister to make exemptions, such as providing information to users of particular services. The amendment called for this power for ministers to make exemptions to be removed. On consideration I felt that this was unnecessary and unhelpful in the context of the Bill and therefore vote against amendment b in support of New Clause 14. A majority of MPs agreed (voting against the amendment b and for NC14 as tabled) which meant that NC14 was added to the Bill.

 

What’s Next

The next time the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be debated by MPs is on Friday 20^th July. At present it is likely that there will be votes on New Clause 16 after which MPs may move on to a Third Reading debate. We will not know the schedule for the day until the afternoon of Thursday 19^th.

Depending on the length of the debate there may be Third Reading votes or debate and votes may be extended to Friday 4^th July.

If the bill passes at Third Reading (whenever this takes place), it will progress through Parliament to the House of Lords.

I continue to be clear that this is a complex and important piece of legislation and take my role in the process of moving it through Parliament very seriously. Equally I understand that there are a wide range of views held by people across Guildford constituency and the country. I consider each amendment that is voted on individually and will do the same for my decision when it comes to a Third Reading vote. 

You can find out more information on the process of how this bill (and others) progress through the two Houses within Parliament here.

Surrey Care Trust Welcomes “Maggie G” to Swingbridge Community Boat Fleet.

Surrey Care Trust is delighted to announce the launch of the “Maggie G,” the newest vessel in its Swingbridge community boat fleet. Joining Swingbridge Tranquillity and Swingbridge Endeavour, the Maggie G expands the Trust’s capacity to deliver life-enhancing experiences on the River Wey for people of all ages and abilities.

The official launch took place on 5 June 2025 in Send, attended by supporters, volunteers, and local dignitaries. The ceremony featured the traditional bow-dipping ritual, during which Zöe Franklin, MP for Guildford, christened the boat with a celebratory pouring of beer over its bow.

Zöe Franklin, a strong supporter of community initiatives across Surrey, shared her enthusiasm:

“It was an honour to be part of the Maggie G launch. Surrey Care Trust’s work through the Swingbridge boats is a shining example of how nature, community, and care can come together to make a real difference in people’s lives. The Maggie G will help even more people experience the tranquillity and empowerment that come from being on the water.”

Designed with accessibility and versatility in mind, Maggie G will serve multiple roles—from hosting wellbeing cruises for elderly and mobility-limited passengers to supporting environmental volunteering, youth confidence-building, and outdoor learning. The vessel is a key part of the Trust’s “Nurture through Nature” programme, which leverages Surrey’s natural waterways to promote wellbeing, social connection, and practical skills development.

John Downing, CEO of Surrey Care Trust, commented:

“We’re proud to welcome Maggie G to our fleet. This boat strengthens our commitment to inclusive support, creating space for personal growth, environmental engagement, and moments of peace for hundreds more people across the county.”

For more information on the boats, volunteering opportunities, or to book a community cruise, visit www.surreycaretrust.org.uk or contact the Trust’s team.

Surrey Care Trust, a registered charity dedicated to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across Surrey by delivering holistic, long-term support to vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. Mobilising over 400 trained volunteers, the Trust provides free or heavily subsidised mentoring, skills training, counselling, and nature-based wellbeing activities that address complex issues such as unemployment, isolation, low educational attainment, and poor mental health. Last year alone, the Trust empowered more than 5,100 beneficiaries through 27,800 hours of support, achieving an impressive 88% success rate of participants moving into employment, education, or training. 

On Friday 16 May 2025, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will return to the House of Commons for MPs to consider amendments and vote on it at Third Reading. If the bill passes at Third Reading, it will progress through Parliament to the House of Lords. It is worth noting that the review and debate of the amendments could take longer than the hours available, in which case debate will likely continue on the next Friday available for the consideration of Private Members' Bills.

We don’t yet know what amendments we will be asked to consider; however, I am in no doubt that getting this decision right is of crucial importance, and I do not underestimate this responsibility.

When I make my final decision about whether or not to support the amendments to the Bill, and the Bill as a whole at Third Reading, it will be after very careful consideration.

Progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill:

• In November 2024, the majority of MPs voted to agree the principle of the bill.
• The next stage was for a committee of 23 MPs, some opponents of the bill and others who supported it, to scrutinise the proposed legislation clause by clause and consider evidence from expert witnesses.
• The bill will now come back to the Commons for Report Stage – when further amendments can be made – and Third Reading – when MPs vote on the bill for the final time before it goes to the House of Lords.

Although we don’t yet know what amendments are being proposed to be voted on following the committee’s scrutiny, we do know that the committee considered 600 amendments and accepted around a quarter of them.

The many hundreds of letters and emails I’ve received on this subject have been deeply moving and opinions on both sides are sincerely held.

Personally, I agree with the principle of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, but have been clear that in order for me to support it at Third Reading I need to be satisfied that:

• There are sufficient safeguards in place to prevent the coercion of terminally ill patients.
• Medical professionals who do not wish to assist in a patient’s death are free to decline.
• Terminally ill patients can trust that they will receive the palliative care they need.

 
As I did at the Second Reading, when the Bill comes out of Committee and returns for Friday’s Third Reading, I will be acting in what I believe, after serious consideration, to be in the best interests of terminally ill people, their loved ones and medical professionals.

My best wishes,

Zöe

Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat MP for Guildford Constituency.