Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Sturdy Excerpts

Tuesday 6th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Dinenage]

As the hon. Gentleman was so very charming to the Secretary of State, we will of course look into the issue.

[Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)]

11. What recent progress he has made on improving the performance of hospitals in special measures.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

It is five years today since the landmark publication of the Francis report on the Mid Staffordshire Foundation NHS Trust. Since then the NHS has made a huge number of changes, not the least being that 34 trusts have gone into special measures and 19 have come out. I particularly congratulate the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust on coming out of special measures in January and securing a “good” score for its caring: that was a fantastic achievement by its staff.

[Julian Sturdy]

Given that York’s local health service is in special measures, the additional funds in the Budget to deal with winter health pressures were very welcome. I am pleased to say that York NHS has already received a tranche of those funds, but the remainder of its share has not been released, although discussions with NHS Improvement are ongoing. Will the Secretary of State undertake to look into the situation, as a matter of urgency?

[Mr Hunt]

I will happily do so.