The announcement of the Prime Minister’s long-term plan for the NHS has been met with praise and criticism alike this week.

The plan pledges an extra £4.5 billion to the country’s health provision by 2023/24, focusing primarily on increasing staff and improving NHS services.

As well as this, Mrs May’s 133-page document presents an ambitious set of aims for the health service – which many critics say are “undeliverable”.

John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, said: “I welcome the NHS long term plan, although after years of neglect I cannot help feel that it is long overdue on the government’s part.”

However, Mr Woodcock equally acknowledged the positive impact that increased funding would have on Barrow’s healthcare services.

He said: “The plan will transform the Morecambe Bay Trust in the scale and quality of care it will be able to provide. At last, it will be able to cure chronic staffing shortages that have been plaguing us for years and costing lives up and down the county.

“My constituency has some of the most deprived areas in the country where life expectancy is below UK average and this has a massive impact on quality of life.

“To finally see an emphasis placed on preventative care is a landmark moment – my constituents are at last going to receive the care they need and deserve.”

The plan aims to deliver world-class service for major health problems while also outlining ways to relieve pressure on GP’s and A&E services.

Dr Geoff Jolliffe, clinical chair for NHS Morecambe Bay clinical commissioning group, welcomed the steps towards better outcomes of care, particularly its focus on the Morecambe Bay area.

He said: “I’m delighted that the work we have undertaken locally, particularly as part of our Better Care Together strategy, has been reflected in the national plan.

“We will continue our efforts to establish good and sustainable local services into the future that are consistent across the area.”