Oral Answers to Questions

David Simmonds Excerpts

Tuesday 7th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Helen Whately]

It is fantastic to hear about organisations in my hon. Friend’s community that, like many around the country, are acting at the grassroots to increase the number of defibrillators. Very soon, we will publish the criteria for the fund that I have just announced, opening it up for bids from organisations such as those, and I look forward to bids from them.

[David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) (Con)]

5. What progress his Department has made on building 40 new hospitals.

[Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)]

13. What his Department’s (a) budget and (b) timetable is for the delivery of 40 new hospitals.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Steve Barclay)]

The Government are committed to building 40 new hospitals, which is why we have confirmed an initial £3.7 billion for the first four years of the new hospital programme.

[David Simmonds]

One of those 40 new hospitals is Hillingdon Hospital. At the start of this year, Hillingdon Council granted planning consent for the proposed new hospital, which is much awaited by my constituents. Will my right hon. Friend tell me when we might expect building work to commence?

[Steve Barclay]

As my hon. Friend knows, I have been to Hillingdon to look at the scheme. I am aware of how essential it is to his local area. He will know that on 22 February, the Prime Minister spoke at Prime Minister’s questions of the Government’s commitment to building 40 new hospitals, and I hope to announce something on that very shortly.