Declares that action should be taken to safeguard vulnerable individuals in regard to excessive and unusual spending habits on online gambling platforms; notes that such actions result in excess debts mounting up and recognises cases where individuals have tragically died by suicide under these circumstances; further acknowledges the role for banking institutions whose customers are spending excessive amounts on gambling websites.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to review with gambling companies and banking institutions what safeguards are put in place to protect vulnerable customers from spending more money than they normally would; and further assess what further work can be done to protect vulnerable people who may be misusing alcohol or substances while gambling.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Maureen Burke.]
[P003098]
Location of the Torbay and South Devon NHS out-of-hours Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Services
Declares that the proposed temporary co-location of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s out-of-hours Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) services at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital will lead to increased travel times and potential delays in emergency cardiac treatment for residents in South Devon; and further declares that the protection of timely, local access to urgent cardiac care is essential.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to ensure NHS Devon reconsider the proposed co-location and to ensure that all PPCI services, including out-of-hours, remain accessible within the local area.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Caroline Voaden, Official Report, 22 May 2025; Vol. 767, c. 1299.]
[P003075]
Observations from the The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth):
The appropriate NHS commissioner is responsible for delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services—in this case, Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB)—rather than the Government. The Government believe that local health and care organisations are best placed to make decisions on commissioning services for their communities, working with local authorities, stakeholders, and local populations to meet people’s needs.
The Government are aware that the ICB was due to consider a proposal on 29 May 2025 to establish a short-term, fixed-length “test and learn” process for out-of-hours primary percutaneous coronary intervention services in Torbay and Exeter. The Government understand that the chair and chief executive of the board then decided to withdraw the paper setting this out, in light of feedback received from staff, clinicians, patients, the public, and elected representatives.
The Government maintain that any changes to services should be informed by clinical best practice following appropriate engagement with patients and stakeholders. Substantial planned service change and reconfiguration of services are subject to a public consultation and must meet the Government and NHS England’s tests to ensure good decision-making and that proposals are demonstrated to be in the interests of service users and the wider public.
The Government understand that an update will now be presented to the board in July. The Government understand that a case for change will be developed that covers the whole cardiology pathway. The Government recommend that petitioners share their views directly with Devon ICB—as the commissioner of the regional healthcare services—who will be better placed to respond. Devon ICB’s contact details can be found online at https://onedevon.org.uk/contact-us/
The petition of residents of the constituency of Dudley,
Declares that Ladies Walk Centre, and the health and library services it provides, are at risk of closure because no deal has been done to ensure that the lease for the property does not expire in March 2026.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to urgently communicate with the owners of the Ladies Walk Centre property, Dudley Council and the NHS, asking that Ladies Walk Centre be saved from closure.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
—[Presented by Sonia Kumar, Official Report, 19 May 2025; Vol. 767, c. 856.]
[P003069]
Observations from the The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth):
The appropriate NHS commissioner is responsible for delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services—in this case, Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB)—rather than the Government. The Government believe that local health and care organisations are best placed to make decisions on commissioning services for their communities, working with local authorities, stakeholders, and local populations to meet people’s needs.
The Government are aware that the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s lease for Ladies Walk is due to come to an end in March 2026 and that the trust are currently working with NHS Property Services and other occupiers to look at options for future service delivery. The Government understand that, during this time, the trust will also seek the views of local people and patients. The trust have informed the Government that they are committed to continuing the delivery of services locally and ensuring that patients can access the care they need.
The Government maintain that any changes to services should be informed by clinical best practice following appropriate engagement with patients and stakeholders. Substantial planned service change and reconfiguration of services are subject to a public consultation and must meet the Government and NHS England’s tests to ensure good decision-making and that proposals are demonstrated to be in the interests of service users and the wider public.
The Government understand that a public meeting was held in Sedgley on 21 May 2025, which approximately 130 local residents and interested parties attended, as well as all health and care partners being represented. The Government understand that a further public meeting is expected in July, at which the trust will update on their progress with the landlord. The Government recommend that petitioners share their views directly with the trust and with Black Country ICB—as the commissioner of the regional healthcare services—who will be better placed to respond. The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s contact details can be found at https://www.dgft.nhs.uk/about-us/contact-us/ and those for the Black Country ICB at https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/contact-us
Traffic calming measures on the slip road off Water Orton Road
The petition of residents of the Castle Bromwich Ward, Solihull
Declares that traffic calming measures need to be put in place on the slip road off Water Orton Road in the Castle Bromwich Ward to ensure the safety of local residents; further that Solihull Council need to act on the concerns of residents, following several recent road accidents as a result of road users using the slip road to circumvent the speed calming measures on the main road.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to work with Solihull Council to take immediate action to ensure that traffic calming measures are installed on the slip road off Water Orton Road, in Castle Bromwich, Solihull.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Liam Byrne, Official Report, 1 July 2025; Vol. 770, c. 253.]
[P003087]
Observations from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood):
The Government recognise that traffic calming can provide a proven and effective way of saving lives and reducing casualties by reducing vehicle speeds in areas where inappropriate speed is a recurring problem.
Local authorities are free to make their own decisions about the design of the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. This includes provision of traffic management measures such as traffic calming and traffic signals.
LAs are also responsible for day-to-day management of their road networks, including any necessary road and street works, and ensuring that their actions are within the law and are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.
Local councillors are responsible for ensuring that local decisions about street infrastructure take account of the needs and opinions of local people. The Department for Transport has published guidance on the design of traffic calming measures in local transport note 1/07 “Traffic Calming” which is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-transport-notes