Oral Answers to Questions Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDennis Skinner
Main Page: Dennis Skinner (Labour - Bolsover)Department Debates - View all Dennis Skinner's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(8 years, 10 months ago)
Commons Chamber Mr Speaker
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Mr Speaker 
        
    
        
    
        Order. We are short of time, but I am in a generous mood. We can manage only one more, so 46 years, six months and two days after his first election to the House, I call Mr Dennis Skinner.
 Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab)
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab) 
        
    
        
    
        He is a mine of information, isn’t he? He would like to contribute, really.
Does the Secretary of State not think that it is a scandal to be shutting Bolsover hospital, with 16 valuable beds that will go for ever, at a time when people are lined up on trolleys in nearly every hospital in Britain? Why does the Secretary of State not give Bolsover a Christmas present and announce that Bolsover hospital will be saved? Come on!
 Mr Jeremy Hunt
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Mr Jeremy Hunt 
        
    
        
    
        I add my congratulations to those of the Speaker on the hon. Gentleman’s long service, which has included campaigning for Bolsover hospital. I simply say to him that we will look very carefully at all proposals to change the services offered. I think community hospitals have an important role in the future of the NHS, but the services they provide will change as more people want to be treated at home.