Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts
Tuesday 15th November 2016

(7 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mowat Portrait David Mowat
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The Secretary of State has already made the point that we do not give a running commentary on the status of discussions with the Treasury, but I accept my right hon. Friend’s point about his local issue.

Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)
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9. What assessment he has made of the performance of NHS England in meeting A&E waiting time targets in the last 12 months.

Philip Dunne Portrait The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Philip Dunne)
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Last year, the NHS in England handled 2.4 million more A&E attendances than when this Government took office. There has been a 4.6% increase in attendances, compared with only a 1.2% increase in Scotland. Despite that significant increase in demand the NHS has coped well, with nine out of 10 patients still seen within four hours.

Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown
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I thank the Minister for that answer, but the truth is it must do better and needs more support. In September, only 86% of patients were treated within the four hour target time in English A&E departments; by contrast, in Scotland it was 95%, for a record consecutive period. Given that winter is coming, what will the Minister do to ensure the service copes?

Philip Dunne Portrait Mr Dunne
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The hon. Gentleman should know that, according to figures for the most recent month available, 90.6% of A&E attendances were seen within the four hours. We are aware that the system remains under pressure, and are putting efforts into identifying steps through the A&E improvement plan, with five specific measures to improve front-door streaming, back-door discharge and patient pathways through hospitals to improve that performance.