Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Dan Poulter(9 years, 10 months ago)
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Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)
GPs across the north-east say that they are facing a work force crisis, with falling numbers of family doctors. Does the Secretary of State not recognise the connection between people being unable to get an appointment to see their GP and the rising and major pressure on our A and E department?
Dr Poulter
I am sure that the hon. Lady would like to support the plans we have put in place to ensure that we increase the number of GPs by 2020, and to ensure that 50% of doctors leaving foundation training go into careers in general practice.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Dan Poulter(9 years, 11 months ago)
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Dr Poulter
My hon. Friend makes an important point. It is absolutely right that we do not want people with mental health problems to be looked after in police cells. A lot of work has been going on. The Government have set up the crisis care concordat to look at exactly that issue, and as a result the number of people with mental illness going to police cells is now falling rapidly.
Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)
2. What steps he is taking to improve ambulance response times.