Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons Quality and Safety was not included as a factor for deciding the fourth specialist hospital site proposed by Healthier Together.

The Government is clear the reconfiguration of front line health services is a matter for the local National Health Service.

Principles for service change are enshrined in the four reconfiguration tests set down to the NHS in 2010. All local reconfiguration plans should demonstrate: support from GP commissioners; strengthened public and patient engagements; clarity on the clinical evidence base; and support for patient choice.