Oral Answers to Questions

Gregory Campbell Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd January 2024

(3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Helen Whately Portrait Helen Whately
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I thank my hon. Friend for his invitation. He has been a tireless campaigner on this issue on behalf of his constituents. The future of healthcare is about getting people the care that they need, where they need it and when they need it, and Rugby is no different. New local NHS services are bringing care closer to home in his area, such as the new imaging unit at the Hospital of St Cross that opened in September.

Gregory Campbell Portrait Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Access to urgent and emergency care can be greater facilitated when greater protection is offered to staff, particularly the many who suffer attacks in emergency departments at hospitals across the United Kingdom—often by people who are intoxicated.

Helen Whately Portrait Helen Whately
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The hon. Member makes an important point. The safety of our staff in the national health service is important, including those in urgent and emergency care departments, as well as the ambulance services. He is absolutely right to point that out, and it is never acceptable for anyone, including patients, to be violent towards staff.