Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Hollern Excerpts

Tuesday 5th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[Victoria Atkins]

May I thank my hon. Friend for bringing his professional expertise to the Chamber? Of course, minimising “did not attends” is a critical part of ensuring that clinical time is optimised, and I will take his suggestion away and mull it over.

[Kate Hollern (Blackburn) (Lab)]

T2. I understand that pathology staffing levels at Royal Blackburn Hospital have not been reviewed for 15 years and the workload is up 300%. The national deficit in pathology is a ticking time bomb, as hospitals are unable to offer surgical and emergency services. What steps is the Minister taking to address recruitment and ensure that staff and patients are safe?

[The Minister for Health and Secondary Care (Andrew Stephenson)]

I understand the hon. Lady’s concern. As she knows, we share a local NHS hospital trust. I am very keen to work with her on this issue. Of course, this Government are the first to introduce a long-term workforce plan for the NHS, which will deliver thousands more clinicians for a range of services across the NHS in the years to come.