Oral Answers to Questions

Linda Riordan Excerpts

Tuesday 13th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Norman Lamb]

I am happy to make sure that we liaise properly with the devolved Administrations and it is important for officials on both sides to ensure that the language is as clear as possible across the United Kingdom.

[Mrs Linda Riordan (Halifax) (Lab/Co-op)]

8. What the clinical reasons are for plans to close Calderdale Royal hospital A and E department.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Jane Ellison)]

There are no plans for the closure of A and E at Calderdale Royal hospital.

[Mrs Riordan]

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust failed to give one clear recommendation for closing a 24-hour A and E service in Halifax in its business plan. Is that simply because there aren’t any?

[Jane Ellison]

The hon. Lady and I have debated this topic before on the Adjournment. This is a locally led process. Nothing has been ruled in or out, no decision has been made, and first and foremost comes the safety and efficacy of local health services. May I commend to the hon. Lady the approach of her constituency neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Calder Valley (Craig Whittaker), who at all times has championed the best outcomes for his constituents’ health, rather than seek to make politics out of this?