Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Maguire Excerpts

Wednesday 4th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Louise Haigh]

I begin by wishing my hon. Friend a very happy birthday—I am sure there is nowhere he would rather be celebrating.

My hon. Friend is right to highlight that under the Conservatives, his constituents were let down by unfunded spending commitments that were never deliverable. We have reset the programme and are investing in our NHS, delivering more appointments and lowering wait times—his local elective waiting list is down by almost 27,000. We are working closely with trusts to accelerate progress wherever possible, and a Health Minister will be happy to meet him to discuss his innovative financing proposals.

[Helen Maguire (Epsom and Ewell) (LD)]

Q14. The hospital estate at Epsom and St Helier is failing, and the recent Care Quality Commission report said that that is impacting the safety, privacy and dignity of care. My constituents deserve a hospital that they can rely on now. At St Helier, the re-ablement unit building literally broke in two and 13 beds had to be closed. Legionella and Pseudomonas were found in the pipes of the maternity block. At Queen Mary’s hospital for children on the St Helier site the lifts broke, meaning that staff had to carry children up and down the stairs post-operation. Surely in 2026, staff and patients deserve better, so will the First Secretary of State commit to urgent action and to delivering the specialist emergency care hospital to ease pressure on Epsom hospital? The time for dither and delay is over.

[Louise Haigh]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise those critical issues and I absolutely understand the concerns over the services at St Helier. I know that the Minister for Secondary Care discussed these issues with MPs earlier this week. We have allocated £5 million to fund critical repairs at the hospital. We are keen that as many women’s health services as possible remain there while the essential work is carried out. The trust is committed to taking a decision on plans for the maternity and women’s unit in December. I know that the Minister would be happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss next steps and how we will address these really important issues.