Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Glyn Davies Excerpts
Wednesday 3rd December 2014

(9 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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It is important that we learn from wherever good practice is in place. The greater choice will help to drive down costs, but it is important that we provide the right level of care, and the quality of care is important. I have no doubt that the stronger role that parents have to play in exercising that choice will also drive up the quality of care.

Glyn Davies Portrait Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con)
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2. What discussions he is having with the Welsh Government on waiting times for cross-border health treatment in Montgomeryshire and Shropshire.

Stephen Crabb Portrait The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)
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The performance of the Welsh health service is the most pressing issue for the people of Wales at this time. My ministerial colleagues and I regularly raise concerns with the Welsh Government, including on the issue of cross-border services. It is essential that all patients, wherever they live, can access the very best health care that meets their needs.

Glyn Davies Portrait Glyn Davies
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Welsh Government should follow the UK Government’s example of commitment to the NHS by using the £70 million boost to its budget, which came about as a consequence of increased spending on health in England, on the Welsh NHS?

Stephen Crabb Portrait Stephen Crabb
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Decisions on how the Welsh Government use Barnett consequentials are a matter for them, but it is true that a great many people in Wales would be baffled, bemused and hugely disappointed if Welsh Ministers chose not to use every single penny of the £70 million that we have made available to them by protecting and increasing NHS budgets here at Westminster.