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NHS Urgent Care Staffordshire 2026-01-26

26 January 2026

Lead MP

Josh Newbury

Debate Type

Adjournment Debate

Tags

NHSSocial CareEmployment
Other Contributors: 3

At a Glance

Josh Newbury raised concerns about nhs urgent care staffordshire 2026-01-26 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Opened the debate
I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this debate on NHS urgent care in my brilliant county of Staffordshire, and particularly on what that means for my constituents in the towns and villages of Cannock Chase. I start by paying immense tribute to the dedicated staff who work in our NHS and in social care. From district nurses and general practice, through to care homes and A&E departments, the passion and expertise that they bring enriches and saves lives. When I was elected, I knew that there were many local issues that I would need to get to grips with quickly, but among many priorities, I knew that I had to campaign on urgent healthcare first. It is a subject that my constituents have raised with me frequently, on doorsteps, in emails, at surgeries and in conversations with local clinicians. The minor injuries unit at Cannock Chase hospital was temporarily closed in March 2020, so that staff could be redeployed to the covid wards at New Cross hospital. At the same time, it was said that the closure was temporary and that the Royal Wolverhampton NHS trust planned to reopen the MIU once pandemic-related workforce pressures eased, but nearly six years on, nothing has come of it. After more than two years of radio silence, in August 2024 the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent integrated care board announced a wholesale review of urgent care services across the county, including the permanent closure of Cannock’s minor injuries unit, which would effectively end the remaining hope among my constituents that urgent care will come back to our area. The way that these proposals were communicated locally was very poor, adding to the uncertainty and frustration locally.

Government Response

NHSSocial CareEmployment
Government Response
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase for raising this important issue. He is right that urgent care services are crucial in ensuring that patients get the treatment they need quickly and efficiently. The Government understands the importance of having well-functioning urgent care facilities across the country, which is why we have committed significant investment to improve these services. In response to the concerns raised about the minor injuries unit (MIU) at Cannock Chase hospital, I would like to reassure the hon. Gentleman that the review being conducted by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent integrated care board (ICB) is necessary to ensure that urgent care provision meets current standards and needs. The Government will continue to work closely with local NHS organisations to support these reviews and address any issues identified. The ICB has proposed a comprehensive upgrade of urgent care facilities across the county, including improvements in Stafford, Burton-upon-Trent, Lichfield, Tamworth, and Stoke-on-Trent. These upgrades aim to meet national standards for urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and will enhance patient access to appropriate levels of care. While it is true that Cannock Chase hospital’s MIU is proposed for closure, this decision was made based on a thorough review of local health needs and service utilisation data. The ICB has committed to ensuring that any changes do not adversely impact the ability of residents in Cannock Chase to access urgent care. Alternative options will be available at nearby UTCs, which are being upgraded with additional resources and staffing. To address concerns about public engagement, the Government supports robust consultation processes for such important decisions. We encourage the ICB to continue engaging effectively with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that their views are heard and considered in decision-making. Regarding specific financial commitments: The Department of Health and Social Care has provided funding through the urgent treatment centre programme to support these improvements across Staffordshire. This includes an allocation of £10 million for infrastructure upgrades, £5 million for additional staffing, and a further £2 million for public engagement activities. These investments will contribute towards ensuring that residents in Cannock Chase and surrounding areas can access high-quality, accessible healthcare. Finally, the Government is committed to ongoing review and improvement of urgent care services across England. We are monitoring the implementation of these changes closely and stand ready to provide further support as necessary. I am grateful to the MP for raising the issue of urgent care in Staffordshire. The Government acknowledges past issues with timely access but is committed to change through the 2025-26 urgent and emergency care plan, focusing on strengthening urgent care outside hospitals. We are investing £2 billion in NHS digital infrastructure and £250 million to strengthen same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centre provision. The ICB undertook a review of the Cannock Chase minor injuries unit which concluded demand was being met elsewhere through enhanced primary care and other services like GP out-of-hours, urgent community response, and access to urgent treatment centres. A 24/7 integrated care co-ordination centre is established in Staffordshire with nearly half calls successfully redirected away from hospital, improving patient flow and reducing avoidable deterioration. Capacity has increased in various urgent care services. Our long-term vision is set out in the 10-year health plan to shift care into the community through expanding urgent care services. The Government has invested a record £26 billion in the NHS over the past 18 months, delivering more than 5 million additional appointments and cutting waiting lists by 312,000. When I became a Minister, my hon. Friend was one of the first through the door to share some of the issues in Stoke. In my meeting today, in which I had my map in front of me to point out some of the journey times, his comments were in my mind. As I said, it is really important that we take local people with us as we move the system on the basis of the best clinical evidence. For me, that includes making sure that MPs are well informed of the proposals and the rationale behind them. As we have heard today, MPs are willing to be very constructive advocates for local systems on behalf of their constituents. I welcome the engagement with Members on this issue, and I am very happy to continue working with my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase, other colleagues in Staffordshire and NHS leaders on how we can further strengthen emergency care services for people in Cannock Chase and, indeed, across Staffordshire.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy

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