Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Helena Dollimore and Diana Johnson

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Public Health and Patient Safety (Dame Diana Johnson)]

There is money available for GP surgeries; as my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol South (Karin Smyth) has already said, many of them were left in a terrible state under the previous Government. They were not invested in over many years. There is money available, and when I meet the hon. Gentleman, I will be happy to discuss that with him.

[Helena Dollimore (Hastings and Rye) (Lab/Co-op)]

T7. Many hospital specialisms are increasingly shared between Eastbourne hospital and Hastings Conquest hospital, which is in my constituency. That means that the people I represent who do not drive are required to travel a long way by public transport to get to Eastbourne hospital—between 90 minutes and two hours, and that involves a lot of walking. The hon. Member for Eastbourne (Josh Babarinde) shares my concerns about people travelling in the other direction. With so many services shared between the two hospitals, I am calling on the NHS integrated care board, the trust, and the Reform-run county council to look at providing a shuttle bus that would make it easier for people to travel between the two hospitals. Does the Minister agree that this is something health commissioners should look at when planning services?