Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michelle Scrogham and Andrew Gwynne

Tuesday 15th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Scrogham (Barrow and Furness) (Lab)]

8. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of district hospitals in providing services that meet the needs of local communities.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Andrew Gwynne)]

Lord Darzi’s report concluded that the health service is in a critical condition across the country. District hospitals have a vital role to play in meeting the needs of their communities, and this Government will support them to reduce waiting times, to improve urgent care and to play their part in building a neighbourhood health service.

[Michelle Scrogham]

Critical care at Furness general hospital in Barrow has been temporarily downgraded, meaning that those in most need of the highest level of care are now exposed to potentially life-threatening delays during a 50-mile transfer on difficult roads. Will the Minister please look at this worrying decision by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS foundation trust and do everything to enable the reopening of this service as soon as possible?

[Andrew Gwynne]

My hon. Friend is a doughty fighter for her constituents. I am aware that the decision she mentions is an interim measure made by the critical care network, the Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care board and the NHS trust. The decision will be kept under review and patients impacted will receive the appropriate support. The Government recognise that more must be done to improve the sustainability of the NHS both nationally and in rural and coastal areas.