Oral Answers to Questions

Tony Lloyd Excerpts

Tuesday 8th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (Lab)]

3. What recent representations he has received on his proposed reforms of the NHS.

[Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab)]

11. What recent representations he has received on his proposed reforms of the NHS.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Burns)]

The Government received more than 6,000 responses to the White Paper consultations. As a result, we have significantly strengthened both our approach to implementation and our proposals in the Health and Social Care Bill. We continue to engage widely across the health sector on our modernisation plans.

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[Tony Lloyd]

The Minister will know that a concern about the Government’s health policies is the increased role for the private sector. He will also be aware that at the Christie hospital in Manchester 150 jobs have been transferred from the NHS to the private contractor on that site. Will he give the people of the north-west an absolute guarantee that we will not have twin-track cancer treatment at Christie’s and that there will not be a fast track for the private patient and a slow track for those on the national health?

[Mr Burns]

I can categorically give that assurance to the hon. Gentleman, because there is no two-track system. Where the private sector may provide care, it is to help to raise standards. I imagine he would agree with that, because he fought the general election on this manifesto commitment:

“Patients requiring elective care will have the right…to choose from any provider who meets NHS standards of quality at”

the NHS level.