Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Joan Ruddock Excerpts
Wednesday 20th March 2013

(11 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Joan Ruddock Portrait Dame Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)
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Q2. On 9 January, the Prime Minister told me there would be no hospital reorganisations unless they had the support of the local GP commissioners, proper public engagement and an evidence base. Will he now admit that not one of those tests is met in the case of Lewisham hospital, where he proposes to close down half the services and sell off two thirds of the land to bail out a neighbouring failing trust? Can anyone trust this Prime Minister on the NHS ever again?

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait The Prime Minister
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It is worth remembering who set up the PFI deal that has meant that this action has had to be taken. The apology over what is happening at the South London Healthcare trust should come from the Labour party, because it was responsible for creating this situation. As the right hon. Lady knows, £1 million a week is being lost from front-line care. No change is not an option, but the Health Secretary’s plans have ensured that Lewisham will retain an A and E with senior medical emergency cover.