Oral Answers to Questions

David Johnston Excerpts

Tuesday 8th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Robert Largan (High Peak) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the full restoration of GP services as part of the covid-19 recovery.

[David Johnston (Wantage) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the full restoration of GP services as part of the covid-19 recovery.

[Paul Howell (Sedgefield) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the full restoration of GP services as part of the covid-19 recovery.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jo Churchill]

I could not agree more. Data saves lives —it is as simple as that. We have seen that in the pandemic, and it is one of the lessons of the vaccine roll-out. The GP data programme will strengthen the system and save lives. Patient data is, of course, owned by the patient. We are absolutely determined to take people with us on this journey. We have therefore decided that we will proceed with the important programme, but we will take some extra time, as we have conversed with stakeholders over the past couple of days. The implementation date will now be 1 September. We will use this time to talk to patients, doctors, health charities and others to strengthen the plan, build a trusted research environment and ensure that data is accessed securely. This agenda is so important, because we all know that data saves lives.

[David Johnston]

I have been contacted in recent weeks by quite a number of constituents who are struggling to get a GP appointment, but we have a pre-covid problem as well, which is that thousands and thousands of new houses have gone into the constituency without an increase in GP services. Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss how to get my constituents the GP services that they need and deserve?

[Jo Churchill]

It is right that local health commissioners pay careful regard to the impact of new housing and growing areas, which is to be welcomed. I understand that both practices in my hon. Friend’s area are still accepting patients and that the Oxfordshire clinical commissioning group has been working closely with the practices in Wantage to make sure that the impact of housing growth is being accommodated, which I expect all CCGs and councils to be doing. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter further.