NHS: Independent Investigation Debate

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Department: Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Independent Investigation

Sean Woodcock Excerpts
Thursday 12th September 2024

(1 day, 11 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Wes Streeting Portrait Wes Streeting
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I am not sure that is a fair characterisation of Sir John Bell’s position. I have a huge amount of respect for him. I am grateful to Lord Darzi for writing the diagnosis. Given that the Conservative party was in government for 14 years, repeatedly promised to rebuild Hillingdon hospital and left my Department in a position where the money for the new hospitals programme ran out in March, the hon. Member has some brass neck to point the finger at us while he is in opposition.

Sean Woodcock Portrait Sean Woodcock (Banbury) (Lab)
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In 2016, the Horton hospital in my constituency lost its consultant-led maternity unit—a temporary downgrade that ended up being made permanent three years later. Is it not about time that someone from the Conservative party apologised for the damage done to Banbury’s hospital, as well as to the NHS as a whole?

Wes Streeting Portrait Wes Streeting
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I am delighted to see my hon. Friend here. His constituents can already see that he is not backwards in coming forwards. He will stand up and champion their interests in this House as a great constituency MP. When it comes to the Conservative party, sorry seems to be the hardest word.