Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Jupp Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

What plans he has to ensure that the NHS has the capacity to tackle the next phase of the covid-19 outbreak.

[Simon Jupp (East Devon) (Con)]

What progress his Department has made on ensuring the provision of adequate critical care capacity in hospitals during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Gareth Davies (Grantham and Stamford) (Con)]

What progress his Department has made on ensuring the provision of adequate critical care capacity in hospitals during the covid-19 outbreak.

--- Later in debate ---

[Matt Hancock]

We are putting in a huge amount of support for maternity services and other services across the NHS in England. Of course, when it comes to the hon. Gentleman’s constituents in Glasgow, he will have to ask the SNP Government.

[Simon Jupp]

Local construction firms are working around the clock to build the NHS Nightingale hospital in Exeter, based in my constituency of East Devon. I am sure the Secretary of State will agree that we all hope it will never have to be used. Can he assure my constituents that the Nightingale will help the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, our community hospitals and our health and wellbeing hub to continue to focus efforts on delivering the superb services that they are well known for across East Devon?

[Matt Hancock]

Absolutely. My hon. Friend is a great advocate for Devon, and for East Devon in particular. The Nightingale Hospital in Exeter will have more flexible uses than the previous Nightingales, so, for instance, it will be usable should there be extra winter pressures. This is all part of protecting our NHS. At the heart of our response to this dreadful disease, we protected the NHS, making sure it was always there for everyone. That has been down to, and is a testament to, the work of so many people, who delivered on that requirement.