Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Simon Burns

Tuesday 17th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

The chair of the South London Healthcare NHS Trust has written to the Secretary of State to correct inaccurate information given out by the Department of Health regarding the trust’s performance. [Interruption.] Instead of barracking me, would the Secretary of State—[Interruption.] Instead of shouting at me now, it is a shame that the Secretary of State did not meet the local MPs when he had the opportunity. Will he distance himself from the false information put out by unattributable sources in his Department, which will undermine the performance of the hospital and shows little respect for the health service workers who are working to improve services?

[Mr Burns]

If I can calm the situation down. [Interruption.] If the hon. Gentleman will just hush I will give him the answer.

National Health Service

Debate between Clive Efford and Simon Burns

Monday 16th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Simon Burns]

rose—

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Burns]

No, I will not.

The motion speaks of the

“increasing number of cost-driven reconfigurations of hospital services”.

The reconfiguration of NHS services must always be led by a desire to improve patient care and patient outcomes. As lifestyles change, as needs and expectations grow and as technology develops, the NHS must respond. This Government are very clear that the reconfiguration of services is a matter for the local NHS, and that the best decisions are those taken closest to the front line and tailored to the needs of the local population. But, when making those decisions, it is imperative that the NHS carries the support of local people, patients, carers and clinicians.

The principle is enshrined in the four tests that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out in 2010: all local reconfiguration plans must demonstrate support from clinical commissioners, strengthened public and patient engagement, clear clinical evidence and support for patient choice.

[Clive Efford]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Burns]

The right hon. Member for Leigh equates the coalition agreement’s promise of a temporary moratorium on changes to hospital services, with a commitment to hold the NHS in a permanent state of suspended animation. The moratorium was needed to put a stop to the arbitrary reconfigurations that his Government instigated—reconfigurations that lacked the support of local clinicians, lacked a clinical evidence base and lacked basic democratic legitimacy. This Government and the Secretary of State have put that right.

Now I turn to another issue that the right hon. Gentleman raised and which is of considerable importance, given what has—

[Clive Efford]

rose—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Clive Efford and Simon Burns

Tuesday 29th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

8. What recent representations he has received on the new community hospital for Eltham; and if he will make a statement.

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

The Department of Health is in contact with strategic health authorities regarding ongoing community hospital programme funding. This includes contact with the London SHA for Eltham and Mottingham community hospital and other schemes in the region.

[Clive Efford]

I am grateful for that answer, as far as it went—but there is a great deal of expectation in the community in Eltham that that project will be delivered. It has been in the pipeline for quite some time and will provide 40 respite beds, diagnostics such as blood tests and X-rays and, I hope, dialysis at a local level, as well as a GP-led walk-in urgent care centre. May I urge the Minister to revisit the project, and when I ask a future question, to come back with a better answer?

[Mr Burns]

I am a bit perplexed by the hon. Gentleman’s comments, because I have answered the specific narrow question that he asked—but let me try to cheer him up, if I can. We understand that he has been a redoubtable campaigner for the hospital, and we support the principle of community hospitals. The Department, as the hon. Gentleman knows, allocated £4.58 million to help the community hospital in Eltham and has already given about £1.9 million to NHS Greenwich, the primary care trust, for it. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not have to come back to me with another question, because I trust that I am now going to cheer him up: I can announce today that the balance of the money will be paid and made available during the current financial year.