Oral Answers to Questions

Gordon Birtwistle Excerpts
Tuesday 7th December 2010

(13 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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What I said to the shadow Secretary of State was entirely accurate.

Gordon Birtwistle Portrait Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD)
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Does the Secretary of State agree that the abolition of unelected quangos such as primary care trusts and strategic health authorities will bring an end to the decisions they are taking to remove services from local hospitals against the wishes of GPs and local residents?

Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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The reforms we propose will bring far greater accountability not only through local authorities but through patient choice and through front-line clinicians being able to commission services.

Let me also tell my hon. Friend that I have today referred to the independent reconfiguration panel, for initial appraisal, the question referred to me by Lancashire county council about the children’s ward at Burnley hospital.