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Written Question
Cancer and Congenital Abnormalities: Corby
Tuesday 2nd September 2025

Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the ruling of Mr Justice Akenhead in the case of Corby Group Litigation v. Corby Borough Council, if he will conduct a review of the incidence of birth defects and rare cancers recorded in children by hospitals serving the population around Corby and the sites where spoil was deposited.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are aware of this issue, which is currently being looked at by the local Director of Public Health. The UKHSA will offer support if needed, and the Department is awaiting the findings before further action.

Written Question
Surgery: Training
Monday 16th December 2024

Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a national training centre for robotic surgery within the NHS to provide surgical training that is independent of the manufacturers of robotic surgery equipment.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has no current plans to establish such a national training centre. The Department continues to work with the National Health Service and other partners to develop pathways for delivering innovative medical technology into the hands of front-line clinicians.

The curricula and method of delivery of surgical specialty training is set by the Royal College of Surgeons. The General Medical Council approves curricula and assessment systems for each training programme.

Written Question
Surgery: Training
Monday 16th December 2024

Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to use (a) robots and (b) AI to help support training on innovative surgical techniques.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department and NHS England support the development and use of innovative surgical approaches across the system, where clinically appropriate. Use of such innovative approaches can drive efficiency and improve patient outcomes, but should and will be driven by local and specific need.

The curricula and method of delivery of surgical specialty training is set by the Royal College of Surgeons. The General Medical Council approves the curricula and assessment systems for each training programme.

Written Question
Northwick Park Hospital: Domestic Visits
Tuesday 10th December 2024

Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will visit the Griffin Institute at Northwick Park Hospital in Brent West constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers regularly consider visits across the country to see the impact of their policy areas. Any plans to visit specific locations will be notified to the relevant Members of Parliament in advance.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 13 Oct 2022
Edenfield Centre: Treatment of Patients

"What was the earliest date on which a whistleblower or member of a family contacted either the Department or the CQC? With respect to what the Minister said about the CQC, given that we have repeatedly seen such degrading behaviour at Winterbourne View and other places, what confidence does he …..."
Barry Gardiner - View Speech

View all Barry Gardiner (Lab - Brent West) contributions to the debate on: Edenfield Centre: Treatment of Patients
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 13 Jul 2022
Ambulance Services and National Heatwave Emergency

"When discussing ambulance response and waiting times, the Minister kept using the phrase “month-on-month” improvements. Can she specify which months? She will know that it depends on which month you choose as your baseline—if it was the worst month in recorded history, it is not difficult to show month-on-month improvements...."
Barry Gardiner - View Speech

View all Barry Gardiner (Lab - Brent West) contributions to the debate on: Ambulance Services and National Heatwave Emergency
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 30 Mar 2022
Health and Care Bill

"I agree with much of what my hon. Friend is saying. For instance, I too believe that it is a woman’s right to choose. One of the features of a physical consultation was that it gave the woman an opportunity to do so in a free environment. Does my hon. …..."
Barry Gardiner - View Speech

View all Barry Gardiner (Lab - Brent West) contributions to the debate on: Health and Care Bill
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 31 Jan 2022
Future of the NHS

"I begin by praising all the staff in the NHS, who, often at enormous personal risk, have provided dedicated care to so many of us over the past two years. The Minister must know—and the Government should acknowledge—that they are exhausted. As a country, we must show that we care …..."
Barry Gardiner - View Speech

View all Barry Gardiner (Lab - Brent West) contributions to the debate on: Future of the NHS
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 22 Nov 2021
Health and Care Bill

"I have listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman has said. Given that there is this disparity between the online advertiser and the broadcaster advertiser, and if we are seeking to restrict broadcasting advertisement to children so that they do not become unhealthy, would not the logic follow that we …..."
Barry Gardiner - View Speech

View all Barry Gardiner (Lab - Brent West) contributions to the debate on: Health and Care Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 22 Nov 2021
Health and Care Bill

"My hon. Friend talked about waiting lists. Would he confirm that at the moment approximately 5.6 million people are on the waiting list and that the Government’s own projections are that that figure could rise to 13 million? What in the Bill does my hon. Friend believe can address that …..."
Barry Gardiner - View Speech

View all Barry Gardiner (Lab - Brent West) contributions to the debate on: Health and Care Bill