Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Josh MacAlister and Wes Streeting

Tuesday 6th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Wes Streeting]

Honestly, the right hon. Member had his chance—he was the Minister who took forward the last reform Act, under the Conservative Government. He failed in that task, and now he turns up without a shred of remorse or a shred of humility, attacking this Government for cleaning up the mess that the Conservatives left behind. They are not a party of government—they are not even a party of opposition any more. They are a total irrelevance.

[Josh MacAlister (Whitehaven and Workington) (Lab)]

11. What steps his Department is taking to implement neighbourhood health centres.

--- Later in debate ---

[Wes Streeting]

Dates for meetings with the commission are now a matter for the independent commission.

[Josh MacAlister (Whitehaven and Workington) (Lab)]

T6.   West Cumbria, like many parts of the UK, is a dental desert. In some communities, urgent dental access centres have proved to be a real success at building up dental services, so will the Minister support my campaign to introduce an urgent dental access centre in west Cumbria?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Josh MacAlister and Wes Streeting

Tuesday 11th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Wes Streeting]

I can say to the hon. Member that my hon. Friend the Minister believes in treating every human being with the dignity and respect they deserve—even the hon. Gentleman.

[Josh MacAlister (Whitehaven and Workington) (Lab)]

Shortly after the election, the new Government announced £4.3 million for a new community mental health hub in Whitehaven. Unfortunately, the local mental health trust followed that decision by announcing the closure of the Yewdale ward for acute mental health services. Does the Minister agree that we need to get early intervention right before we close acute services, and will he bring together a meeting to scrutinise that decision?