Maya Ellis
Main Page: Maya Ellis (Labour - Ribble Valley)Department Debates - View all Maya Ellis's debates with the Leader of the House
(1 day, 11 hours ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
Playgrounds are a vital part of our social infrastructure, and the Budget committed £18 million to revamp playgrounds across England. I am sure that the Conservative council in Newcastle-under-Lyme will have heard my hon. Friend’s comments. It is time that it listens to residents, or will it turn out to be just like Reform: over-offering and under-delivering?
Maya Ellis (Ribble Valley) (Lab)
With the cancer plan, we have made great progress this week on how we plan to tackle terminal illnesses in this country. On Tuesday, I had the privilege of visiting my constituent Alfred Whalley, who is currently living with terminal pulmonary fibrosis. After serving 20 years as a paramedic, he wanted to share with me his disappointment at his experiences at the very dated Royal Preston hospital, where one night he was moved five times as they juggled beds—though he is keen to stress that all staff were doing an incredible job. Does the Leader of the House agree that while plans for future terminal patients are welcome, we cannot forget the experiences of patients now and must find ways to invest in hospitals like Royal Preston which will be waiting at least 12 years to be rebuilt? Will he join me in sending best wishes to Alf and his wife Wendy and join their call for one of the Health Ministers to visit Royal Preston hospital to see the conditions for themselves?
Sir Alan Campbell
I join my hon. Friend in welcoming the arrival of the national cancer plan, and in sending our best wishes to Alfred, Wendy and their family and friends. We have made progress in improving the lives of patients with terminal illnesses, with 230,000 more diagnoses arriving in time and £70 million invested in cutting-edge radiotherapy. However, as my hon. Friend points out, there is a lot more to do. There will be a statement on the national cancer plan later. Should she wish to meet Ministers to make a specific case, I will ensure that she gets a meeting.