Oral Answers to Questions

Russell Brown Excerpts

Tuesday 26th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

Really, from a party that closed or downgraded 12 A and E departments when in office, I would expect a slightly more mature attitude to an extremely difficult and complex problem. We will not take any lessons in meeting A and E targets from that lot. The reality is that we met our A and E targets last year, but in Wales, where Labour cut the NHS budget by 8%, they have not met their A and E targets since 2009.

[Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab)]

4. What the reason is for the time taken to produce the Government’s sexual health policy document; and when he now expects it to be published.

[Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab)]

11. What the reason is for the time taken to produce the Government’s sexual health policy document.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Anna Soubry)]

This is an important document, which we want to get right. I anticipate that it will be published next month.

[Mr Brown]

Will the sexual health policy document contain a strategic plan, effectively resourced by Government, to address and reduce HIV stigma, especially among health care professionals, the police, media, teachers and social services? Perhaps a good starting point could be to draw on the lessons and the success of the Government’s anti-stigma work on mental health.

[Anna Soubry]

I certainly support the sentiment behind the hon. Gentleman’s question, and make it clear that I wanted to ensure that the document included the need for everybody to eradicate prejudice in all sexual health work. I was very keen to put that in the document, and I am sure he will join me in welcoming its publication, which will, we hope, be next month.