Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with the Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board on funding options for a health hub in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade.

The Government recognises the pressure on primary care infrastructure in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade, and across the wider National Health Service estate. We acknowledge that, nationally, change is desperately needed to bring healthcare closer to home, to provide patients with the care they deserve.

Unfortunately, the Minister cannot commit to meeting with the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) at this time. However, we would encourage the ICB and indeed staff and patients to contribute to our forthcoming consultation on the 10-year plan for Health which, among other things, will consider this Government’s ambition to move healthcare from acute settings to the community. We would welcome contributions for those who recognise the need to invest in our primary care estate to make this ambition a reality.