Debates between Cat Smith and Jeremy Hunt during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Cat Smith and Jeremy Hunt
Tuesday 10th May 2016

(8 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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May I reassure my hon. Friend that I am very aware of this issue, and I have had a number of meetings with hon. Members to discuss it? Patient safety has to be the utmost priority. We are working with the local trust, and we have been given an assurance that neighbouring hospitals will be able to absorb any extra activity, and that it is working hard to try to reopen the A&E department.

Cat Smith Portrait Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)
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The temporary closure of A&E services at Chorley hospital has had a knock-on effect on hospitals across Lancashire, and anecdotally I hear of many more people turning up at Preston Royal. What reassurances can the right hon. Gentleman give my constituents and residents across Lancashire that he is doing everything he can to make sure that the staffing issues at Chorley are fixed and that Chorley A&E is open again?

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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I can reassure the hon. Lady that we have been monitoring the situation closely and have provided extra capacity at the Royal Preston hospital. Her own Royal Lancaster infirmary has recently come out of special measures and done a really good job in turning round the quality of care after protracted difficulties. We continue to monitor the situation, and patient safety is our No. 1 priority.