Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pippa Heylings and Karin Smyth

Tuesday 21st October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Karin Smyth]

I thank my hon. Friend for his words of encouragement and congratulation. I assure him that lessons have been learned; we will ensure value for taxpayers’ money in all future proposals.

[Pippa Heylings (South Cambridgeshire) (LD)]

I meet regularly with GPs in my constituency, and they have highlighted that they do not yet have clarity or certainty about the role and resources that they will have in the roll-out of services from hospitals to communities and neighbourhood health services. Will the Minister meet me to provide that clarity to our GPs and assure them that they will be at the table during that roll-out?

[Karin Smyth]

It is absolutely the role of the hon. Lady’s local integrated care board to ensure that it involves all partners, particularly primary care, in the exciting roll-out of neighbourhood health services, which I think they welcome. I am happy to discuss that further with her.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pippa Heylings and Karin Smyth

Tuesday 7th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Karin Smyth]

My right hon. Friend highlights a problem throughout the system, not just in her area. Self-employed contractors to NHS GP surgeries are not bound by national terms and conditions; they can develop their terms and conditions as they see fit. They have the flexibility to set terms and conditions to aid recruitment and retention. We anticipate that good employers will set wage rates and terms and conditions that reflect the skills and experience of their staff. That is better for staff and for patients, and I know that she will continue to highlight that with her local employer. It is certainly something that we need to keep an eye on as we develop services further.

[Pippa Heylings (South Cambridgeshire) (LD)]

14. What steps he is taking to extend Start for Life services to South Cambridgeshire constituency.