NHS Commissioning Board (Mandate)

Alison Seabeck Excerpts

Tuesday 13th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

The waiting time targets are among the board’s responsibilities under the mandate. Having care close to home is a key priority for many patients, often because they think that the quality of care will be better, if it is at a local hospital or—even better—in their own home. One major change resulting from the increased role for GPs under the mandate will be much better support for domiciliary care, which will enable people to live at home for longer.

[Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab)]

The tension between the postcode lottery and local commissioning has been discussed, but of paramount importance is how the budgets filter down to the various groups. The Secretary of State just said that funding to the cancer, stroke and heart networks will increase, yet a paper from the NHS Commissioning Board talks about funding cuts from £18 million to £10 million. I am afraid that the veracity of his figures is often challenged. Would he like to put the record straight on the figures?

[Mr Hunt]

I will happily look into the matter the hon. Lady raises, but my information is clear that the budget through which the clinical networks are funded is increasing.