Declares that a succession of Government funding reductions has led to fewer services being delivered at Shotley Bridge Hospital; and further that this reduction of services threatens the viability of a community hospital in the Consett Area.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure there is no reduction of local NHS Hospital services in the Consett area.
And the petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Laura Pidcock , Official Report, 26 June 2019; Vol. 662, c. 769 .]
[P002482]
Observations from The Minister for Health (Stephen Hammond):
This Government are committed to ensuring that people across the country are able to access the right care at the right time and in the right place. However, it is the Government’s view that Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are best placed to make decisions on commissioning health services for their communities, based on local need and working closely with local authorities and other partners.
In the Consett area, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital currently provides a range of services including diagnostic services, a chemotherapy unit, outpatients and community based clinics and, rehabilitation beds (inpatient ward) and has a urgent care centre.
NHS North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is committed to retaining a local presence for the majority of services being provided and is working with a range of partners to consider how it can ensure services are sustainable for patients in North West Durham, including those currently provided on Shotley Bridge Community Hospital site.
The Shotley Bridge Reference Group regularly meets to discuss and report on any future plans based on the local clinical strategy for delivering the best care for patients and based the feedback received from the local population. This reference group has representation from the local MP and councillors.
The Government are committed to increasing funding and announced last year that the NHS will receive increased funding of £39 billion by 2023. That equates to a 3.4 % a year real terms increase in funding over the next five years. This long-term funding commitment means the NHS has the financial security to develop its 10-year plan.