Health services in parts of Sussex are “outdated” and need “real investment” to thrive, an MP says.

James MacCleary said villages in his constituency such as Willingdon and Polegate were in need of investment to help combat the pressures on the NHS in his Lewes constituency.

Mr MacCleary met with NHS Sussex chief executive Adam Doyle to discuss issues with services in the area and pledged to fight for better infrastructure in the area. Residents in Seaford, the town in the Lewes constituency with the most residents, have to call the Old School Surgery on the day for an appointment and sometimes face having to travel to the surgery at Hampden Park to see a GP.

The new Lib Dem MP said: “One of the issues I hear most about in Seaford, Willingdon and Polegate is the need for improved health facilities to help with health access. It’s simply not fair that our local doctors, nurses, and patients are stuck with outdated services. We need to see real investment in our health services.

“I’m thankful to the chief executive of NHS Sussex and the team for taking the time to meet with me and I’m pleased they are engaging with proposals on local health facilities.

“The pressures on social care and frontline services are affecting how quickly patients can get the care they need. It’s frustrating and stressful for everyone involved. We must act now to ease these pressures so that people can receive the care they deserve without unnecessary delays.

“I’m here to fight for the investment we need to improve our local GP services and across our health and social care system. I’ve reached out to the health secretary to ask that Seaford, Polegate and Willingdon get the funding necessary for better healthcare infrastructure.”

Mr MacCleary previously fought for a new health hub in Newhaven in order to get better services for people in the constituency.

It comes as the party continues to prepare for its increased role in opposition after its best performance at the ballot box in a generation.

Mr MacCleary won the Lewes constituency with a sizeable majority on July 4, taking the seat from former Tory health minister Maria Caulfield.