Oral Answers to Questions

James Wild Excerpts

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Yvette Cooper]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a moment to recognise the progress that has been made as the result of a huge amount of work across our NHS and in research, but there is still a long way to go. I will ensure that he gets the ministerial meeting he seeks.

[James Wild (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

On Saturday, I joined hundreds of people in King’s Lynn in protesting against leaked plans for Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group to downgrade accident and emergency and maternity services, and the intensive care unit, at the Queen Elizabeth hospital. Does the Health Secretary agree that services should be as local to people as possible, and will she reject any plans to remove services from the QEH?

[Karin Smyth]

I am aware of the issues around the hon. Gentleman’s local hospital; I have worked with him closely as part of the new hospital programme as well. It is up to local systems to decide on the clinical pathways across the whole patch. Those decisions must be clinically led, and there must be consultation with local people. I am very happy to keep an eye on that, and to talk with him in the future.