All 1 Debates between Stephen Hepburn and Jane Ellison

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Hepburn and Jane Ellison
Tuesday 21st October 2014

(9 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stephen Hepburn Portrait Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (Lab)
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16. What recent representations he has received on hospital walk-in centres.

Jane Ellison Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Jane Ellison)
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Ministers have received 34 representations regarding NHS walk-in centres.

Stephen Hepburn Portrait Mr Hepburn
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The NHS walk-in centre in Jarrow sees more than 27,000 people a year, yet the local management propose to close it to pay for the reorganisation that the Government have brought in. Will the Minister intervene on this occasion, overrule the manager and back the local people?

Jane Ellison Portrait Jane Ellison
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I find the hon. Gentleman’s question slightly mystifying. Responsibility for walk-in centres was passed to local commissioners in 2007, and as I understand, South Tyneside CCG is looking to improve urgent care in the area and reduce reliance on A and E. It reckons that 33,000 people did not need treatment in 2012-13 in the local A and E, so I quite see why it would want to review that. I urge the hon. Gentleman to engage with the consultation, and to get involved with some of the excellent north-east public health projects such as North East Better Health at Work, which is an award-winning scheme that would do a lot to relieve pressure on services.