Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Suella Braverman and Jeremy Hunt

Tuesday 14th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

What Simon Stevens noticed, and we all noticed, was that when he came with this plan in 2014 Labour refused to back it, and in the 2015 election they refused to fund it—to the tune of the £5.5 billion more that the Conservatives were prepared to put in, but the hon. Gentleman’s party refused to put in. He is quoting Simon Stevens, who also said that when the British economy sneezes, the NHS catches a cold—it will be far worse than a cold for the NHS if we have Labour’s run on the pound.

[Suella Fernandes (Fareham) (Con)]

3. What progress his Department has made on improving patient access to GPs.

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

This Government have changed policy so that all NHS patients will be able to book routine GP appointments in the evening and at weekends. That is very important both for NHS patients and to relieve pressure on A&E departments.

[Suella Fernandes]

In September, Jubilee surgery, Whiteley surgery, Stubbington medical practice and Highlands practice launched a same-day access scheme in Fareham, based at Fareham Community Hospital, which had the honour of welcoming the Secretary of State on a visit last year. It is commission-led and supported by Fareham Community Hospital taskforce. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the GPs—including Dr Tom Bertram, who has taken the lead on this scheme—and Fareham and Gosport clinical commissioning group, and explain how patients will be able to access a GP in Fareham?

[Mr Hunt]

I was honoured to meet them, and Richard Samuel and his team have done a fantastic job in transforming services in a way that reduces pressure on local hospitals, but also improves services for local people. There was a real buzz there. I also note that neighbouring Gosport has made changes that have improved patient satisfaction to 90%, with 60% of issues being dealt with on the same day. So some really exciting things are happening.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Suella Braverman and Jeremy Hunt

Tuesday 5th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Suella Fernandes (Fareham) (Con)]

Although Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust is not in special measures, its performance has been criticised in an independent report, particularly in relation to poor investigation of deaths of people with learning disabilities and mental illness. I welcome the Secretary of State’s rapid action and his announcement of a CQC inquiry. Will he update the House on the progress of the inquiry and when it is expected to report?

[Mr Hunt]

The inquiry has only just started, but I thank my hon. Friend for her interest in it. The important conclusion that we have drawn from what happened at Southern Health is that this issue is much broader than one trust. We are not as good as we need to be at investigating unexpected mortality in the NHS. Southern Health is perhaps an extreme example, but the problem is much more widespread. A cultural change is needed, and we are determined to do something about it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Suella Braverman and Jeremy Hunt

Tuesday 13th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

6. What plans his Department has to increase capacity in general practice and primary care.

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

It is a pleasure to be back, Mr Speaker. By 2020, we will increase the primary and community care workforce by at least 10,000, including an estimated 5,000 doctors working in general practice, as well as more practice nurses, district nurses and pharmacists.

[Suella Fernandes]

Fareham community hospital is an example of Labour’s expensive PFI gone wrong. At a cost of £28 million, it remains underused, half-built and subject to complex governance structures. What will my right hon. Friend do to enable better use of this facility to allow provision for minor injuries, a GP practice and more primary care?

[Mr Hunt]

My hon. Friend is right, regrettably, that the PFI projects under the previous Labour Government created a lot of unsustainable debt. I know her local clinical commissioning group is meeting GP practices and working with community health partnerships to see if they can progress the idea she is campaigning for. I hope to visit her in the near future to discuss it myself.