Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Garnier Excerpts

Tuesday 7th July 2015 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest) (Con)]

1. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of recent reviews of acute services in hospitals.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ben Gummer)]

The configuration of front-line health services is a matter for the local NHS. It is for NHS commissioners and providers to work together with local authorities, patients and the public to shape their local NHS in such a way as to improve the quality, safety and sustainability of healthcare services.

[Mark Garnier]

The review of acute services in Worcestershire has taken nearly two years longer than anticipated, and that has had subsequent negative implications for the health economy in Worcestershire. It is absolutely right that trusts carry out proper reviews from time to time, but has the system been written in such a way that it creates imbalances that prevent a conclusion from being reached? What steps is my hon. Friend taking to bring in practical measures to expedite the conclusion of such reviews?

[Ben Gummer]

I agree that the process in Worcestershire has taken too long. I am glad that the West Midlands Clinical Senate has made recommendations that are being looked at by commissioners at the moment. I have encouraged commissioners to come to as quick a resolution as possible—I hope within the next few months.