Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Tuesday 13th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I just gently advise the hon. Member for Croydon South (Chris Philp) that he should not stand at this point? He has Question 3. It will be very easily reached, so he should not stand before then. There is no merit in doing that at all.

[Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con)]

Unfortunately, every time I open a page of my local newspaper these days I am met with the beaming face of yet another general practitioner in his mid-50s who has decided to throw in his hand after many, many years of serving his community. These doctors are best placed to manage patients in primary care and ensure that they do not have to go to secondary care or A&E. What analysis has my right hon. Friend made of the reasons these experienced professionals are leaving the profession prematurely, and what will his reforms do to stem the tide?

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[Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Outwood) (Con)]

Infection control in the community is a great way to reduce preventable illness. In November, I will launch a handwashing campaign in Parliament that I hope will have cross-party support. Will the Minister inform the House what his Department is doing to promote infection control outside the hospital setting?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I listened carefully because I wished to hear the development of the question, but it did not appear to relate to mental health services.

[Andrea Jenkyns]

I am sorry.

[Mr Speaker]

Never mind. These things can always be recycled on subsequent occasions. I have been there and I have done it, and the hon. Lady should fear not.

[Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) (LD)]

The Minister referred to the additional money for eating disorders in the autumn statement last year, the purpose of which was to introduce a maximum waiting times standard from next April. We all know that early intervention is critical. It is a condition that kills too many people. Will he confirm that he remains committed to introducing a maximum waiting times standard for eating disorders from next April?

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[Alistair Burt]

May I welcome the hon. Lady to her position, not least her Cabinet position—he said carefully—and welcome the prominence that mental health now has among all parties? Let me say rather gently in response to the tirade that I have just received that under this Government we have for the first time introduced parity of esteem for mental health on waiting times and national access targets. We are spending more money—£1.25 billion over the next five years. We have the highest number of beds for young people in emergency situations; we have the first dedicated education Minister for young people’s health; we have £75 million for perinatal health; and in her own constituency, the hon. Lady will be pleased to welcome from her shadow Cabinet position an extra £1.1 million going to Liverpool for mental health treatment for children and young people. I think that is a significant response.

[Mr Speaker]

I do not know who writes a lot of this screed, but sometimes a blue pencil needs to be taken to it. The Minister is immensely capable and experienced, but a distillation or an abridged version rather than a “War and Peace” version would be appreciated.

[Chris Philp (Croydon South) (Con)]

3. What progress his Department has made in delivering seven-day-a-week NHS services.

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[Mr Skinner]

Get it done now.

[Mr Speaker]

I think the thrust of the hon. Gentleman’s view is very clear, and he has expressed it with unmistakable force.

[Mr Skinner]

And Mr Speaker’s on my side, too.

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. As in the health service under any Government, demand on these occasions always tends to outstrip supply. I apologise to colleagues who did not get in, but we must now move on.