New Hospital Programme Review

Lord Cryer Excerpts

Tuesday 28th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am, of course, delighted to accept the thanks from my noble friend, and I will indeed share it with the ministerial team. As has already been raised by the noble Lord, Lord Scriven, and as my noble friend has pointed out, robbing Peter to pay Paul does nothing; productivity, safety, quality of care and providing services, including tackling waiting lists, requires investment in capital and dealing with the state of buildings and the estate. I am sure that we have all seen many examples of where failure to invest has not helped at all. I am glad that my noble friend welcomes the investment that we are making, not just in new surgical hubs but scanners, beds and new radiotherapy machines to improve cancer treatment. All these are about tackling the waiting lists because we inherited the highest ever waiting lists and the lowest-ever patient satisfaction, and we are determined to turn that around.

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Cryer)]

My Lords, the annunciator tells me that Report is not due to begin again until 8.07 pm. Since the Statement fell short of the anticipated 40 minutes, I beg to move, from a packed House of Lords, that we adjourn during pleasure until 8.07 pm.