Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Mak Excerpts

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Yvette Cooper]

The work that we have done since the election has significantly increased the number of midwives across the country, which we rightly need to do. I have also been clear to the NHS chief executive that the NHS, regionally and nationally, needs to do everything possible to help reopen North Devon maternity services. I know that work is under way on trying to increase recruitment and support local recruitment. There is a broader issue about ensuring, particularly in more rural areas, that proper recruitment and maternity workforce plans are in place. We need to ensure, and mums need to know, that the services are there for them when they need them, including at the time they go into labour. That will be part of the approach that we are taking to maternity services.

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

4. What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of primary care provision.

[Fleur Anderson (Putney) (Lab)]

14. What steps she is taking to improve access to GPs.

[The Minister for Public Health and Patient Safety (Dame Diana Johnson)]

We now have the highest number of fully qualified GPs since 2015, and almost 16 million more GP appointments were delivered in the last year than in the 12 months before the election. As a result of that investment, 77% of people now say that they have a good local service. We know that there is more to do, especially in rural and remote areas, but there is clear progress against our 10-year plan.

[Alan Mak]

Vital NHS services, including scans and X-rays, have been removed from Oak Park clinic, which serves every resident in the Havant constituency. Will the Minister meet me and support my campaign to restore those vital services so that my constituents do not have to travel to Portsmouth or further afield?

[Dame Diana Johnson]

I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman. I have looked at the issue around Oak Park community clinic and I know that he has met the integrated care board. I am told that all options are being considered to provide a sustainable and accessible solution for diagnostics at the Oak Park site, but I am happy to meet him.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Mr James Frith)]

I recognise that too many of my hon. Friend’s constituents are struggling to secure an NHS dentist, despite the improvements that have already been made. Responsibility for commissioning dentistry sits with the local integrated care board, and I encourage him—through me, by all means—to reach out to the ICB and have a conversation with it. The Government have provided £4 billion in ringfenced funding for NHS dentistry, which has gone some way towards making the improvements we have seen, but there is plenty more to do, and my hon. Friend has my attention.

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

T3. Five years ago this month, Emsworth medical practice’s new building opened, thanks to funding from the last Conservative Government. Will the Minister commit to providing funding for the expansion of more GP surgeries in the Havant constituency?