Petitions

Wednesday 20th November 2024

(1 month ago)

Petitions
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Wednesday 20 November 2024

Derriford Emergency Care Centre Plymouth

Wednesday 20th November 2024

(1 month ago)

Petitions
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The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that following the announcement of the New Hospital Programme Review, patients across South West Devon and across the South West are deeply concerned as to the future of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust’s new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility at Derriford; further declares that the new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility is essential for the NHS to be able to accommodate for the region’s above-average population growth; further that the new facility will treat the sickest patients more quickly, avoid unnecessary admissions, facilitate early discharge and improve outcomes; and notes that UHP’s former Member of Parliament had secured £180 million of government funding for the project.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to consider the resource needs of University Hospital Plymouth’s new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility whilst undertaking the New Hospital Programme Review and retain the funding previously committed to this project.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Rebecca Smith, Official Report, 28 October 2024; Vol. 755, c. 641.]
[P003015]
Observations from the Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth):
The Government understand the importance of delivering a new Derriford emergency care hospital, Plymouth for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and appreciate that it is an uncertain time for patients across the south-west.
We have confirmed that we are committed to delivering the New Hospital Programme (NHP), and the vital infrastructure it provides for staff and patients, but will put forward a realistic, affordable and deliverable plan.
The terms of reference for the review into the NHP were published on gov.uk on 20 September: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-terms-of-reference As confirmed by the publication, the Derriford emergency care hospital is in scope of the review.
The review has fed into decisions that were taken in the Budget and, as set out by the Chancellor on 30 October 2024, we will publish the outcome of the review into the NHP in due course, alongside the new delivery schedule for the programme. This will allow patients, trusts and the local communities to understand when their much-needed new hospital will be delivered.
In the meantime, the Government continue to support the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust with the development of their new hospital scheme. Up to the end of the 2023/24 financial year, the trust have received £25.2 million in funding for their NHP scheme.

Dolphin Inn Grampound

Wednesday 20th November 2024

(1 month ago)

Petitions
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The petition of the residents of Grampound,
Declares that the Dolphin Inn is an Asset of Community Value.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to lend support the Dolphin Inn Grampound, acknowledging that it furthers the social wellbeing and cultural, recreational and sporting interests of the local community.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Noah Law, Official Report, 28 October 2024; Vol. 755, c. 642.]
[P003013]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Alex Norris):
The Government recognise the integral role of pubs in our communities. Pubs provide important spaces for the community to meet, socialise and access local services and we are keen to ensure that they are safeguarded.
The assets of community value scheme in England, introduced by the Localism Act 2011, currently provides communities with a route to nominate any building or land which furthers the social wellbeing or interest of the community. The decision on whether a nomination meets this definition is for local authorities, which must maintain a list of their decisions and are accountable to local people for these decisions. Local authorities are best placed to understand the issues affecting their area and determine what represents an asset of community value, and we cannot comment on specific disagreements.
However, the Government are working to ensure the listing process for assets of community value best serves the interests of communities across the country, including Grampound. Through the English devolution Bill, we plan to strengthen the current policy with the introduction of a new community right to buy to help local people to acquire valued community spaces, including pubs, if they come up for sale. This will help keep these assets in the hands of the community.