Oral Answers to Questions

Nigel Huddleston Excerpts

Tuesday 9th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con)]

9. What progress his Department has made on improving the performance of hospital trusts in special measures.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

12. What progress his Department has made on improving the performance of hospital trusts in special measures.

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

Eleven out of 27 hospitals have now exited special measures, having demonstrated sustainable improvements in the quality of care. Overall, trusts put into special measures have recruited 1,389 more doctors and 4,402 more nurses, with one estimate saying this has reduced mortality rates by 450 lives a year.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Hunt]

First, I thank my hon. Friend for his campaigning on behalf of the Royal Shrewsbury; no one could do more than he has over many years. I encourage him to engage carefully with the future fit programme. In the end, it is incredibly important to get the right answer for patients. My hon. Friend has been supportive of the process, but like him, I would like to see it concluded sooner rather than later.

[Nigel Huddleston]

Will the Secretary of State set out for my Worcestershire constituents what impact the putting of trusts into special measures is likely to have this year and what improvements can be expected when the trust exits special measures?

[Mr Hunt]

The advantage of the special measures programme is that we tend to make much faster progress in turning round hospitals in difficulty than used to happen in previous years. My hon. Friend will know that, in the past five years, his local trust gained nearly 50 more doctors and more than 100 more nurses. We are making progress, but we need to do it much faster. The hospital will have my full support in getting these problems dealt with quickly.