Oral Answers to Questions

Barry Sheerman Excerpts

Tuesday 7th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Burstow]

The best way of responding to the hon. Gentleman’s very appropriate question is to say that we are taking a four-pronged approach to diabetes. First, we need to tackle the causes of the condition through a renewed impetus on public health. We shall announce more of our plans in our White Paper later this autumn. Secondly, we need earlier identification and diagnosis so that we can help people to manage their condition at an earlier stage so that it does not progress. Thirdly, we need effective management and self-directed care. Finally, we need world-class research so that we can better understand the condition and deliver better treatments.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

10. What steps he is taking to ensure the adequacy of resources allocated to hospital accident and emergency departments.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Burns)]

It is the responsibility of local NHS commissioners to plan and arrange adequate A and E health services according to the needs of their local populations. Attendances at hospital A and E departments are reimbursed through mandatory national tariffs.

[Mr Sheerman]

Is the Minister aware that my constituents in Huddersfield are very pleased with the improvements to their A and E services over recent years? They put that down to fewer people going to A and E because they have NHS Direct to take the pressure off A and E, and to the guarantee of being seen within four hours, and having the right to complain pretty vigorously—as we do in Huddersfield—if that does not happen. Are not the measures that the Government are introducing simply going to make A and E impossible again?

[Mr Burns]

May I reassure the hon. Gentleman’s constituents that they will be just as pleased with the responses that they receive from a 111 line, where professional advice and help will be given to people who need to contact it about their health needs? May I also reassure his constituents on the question of four-hour targets? The target that was introduced caused distortions; it was a political target. We are relying on clinical decisions and activity to ensure that people are seen as quickly and relevantly as possible.