Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Ambulance Pressures

18 July 2022 · 12 other contributors

Opened by Steve Barclay Con North East Cambridgeshire

ClimateNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Steve Barclay raised concerns about ambulance pressures in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Met Office issued first-ever red warning for extreme heat affecting July 18 and 19, 2022
  • UK Health Security Agency activated level 4 alert due to cardiovascular risks from high temperatures
  • Cobra meetings held multiple times, including over the weekend, to coordinate government response

How the debate unfolded

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

Government Statement

Steve Barclay

The Met Office has issued its first-ever red warning for extreme heat, affecting today and tomorrow. The UK Health Security Agency's level 4 alert underscores the danger to all individuals due to cardiovascular risks from high temperatures. Cobra meetings were held multiple times, including over the weekend, to coordinate the government’s response, alongside consultations with NHS leaders and local resilience forums. Ambulance services face increased demand exacerbated by covid-19; measures include tendering for auxiliary ambulances, enhancing call handling capacity, and improving ambulance handovers and hospital bed availability to mitigate risks to patients' safety. The statement also addresses rising covid cases, noting an estimated one in 19 people tested positive in England the week ending July 6th with over 13,000 hospital admissions for covid-19. A focus on autumn booster programmes for vulnerable groups and expanded flu jab offerings are announced to reduce severe illness and alleviate pressure on healthcare systems during expected respiratory virus peaks.

Other contributors (12)
  • Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting

    Question

    The shadow minister questions how additional hospital capacity will be created given limited resources, staff shortages, and whether this means patients waiting in corridors or car parks. She also demands an assurance that such situations won’t occur.

    Minister reply

    The Minister does not provide a direct response to the specific resource and staffing issues raised but acknowledges the challenges posed by extreme heat and the need for increased capacity. He emphasises ongoing coordination efforts with NHS leaders to manage patient handovers effectively.

  • Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting

    Question

    The shadow minister inquires about the Prime Minister’s lack of leadership during the crisis, questioning why Cobra was chaired by others and not the Prime Minister.

    Minister reply

    The Minister does not directly address the criticism but reiterates the government's commitment to addressing the challenges through coordinated efforts with NHS leaders and local resilience forums.

  • Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting

    Question

    The MP thanked the Secretary of State for his statement but highlighted several concerns including ambulance wait times, hospital capacity and the impact on mental health patients. She criticised government cuts to mental health beds, questioned the tardiness in addressing the crisis, and pointed out that Labour has a better understanding of the situation.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary acknowledged pressure on the NHS due to the heatwave and highlighted contingency plans implemented since 2003. He detailed funding measures including £150 million for ambulances and £50 million for 111 calls, as well as progress on auxiliary ambulance services procurement. The minister defended government investments in NHS and social care integration efforts.

  • Jeremy Hunt Con Godalming and Ash

    Question

    The MP congratulated the Health Secretary for his appointment and welcomed his commitment to addressing delayed discharge issues, asking about a 10-year plan for social care funding.

    Minister reply

    The minister thanked Jeremy Hunt for his welcome and highlighted ongoing efforts on delayed discharge including a 100-day sprint and £2.6 billion investment in the better care fund.

  • Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington

    Question

    The MP welcomed additional resources but criticised their inadequacy without addressing systemic issues such as social care funding to enable faster discharges.

    Minister reply

    The minister acknowledged the importance of delayed discharge and highlighted ongoing work including national insurance changes, integrated care boards and efforts to industrialise innovation at scale.

  • Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield

    Question

    An ambulance driver from Ashfield highlighted that many times, the ambulance arrives at a call only to find that the person does not need an ambulance. The MP asked if it is time for the Department of Health and Social Care to have an honest conversation with those who do the actual work.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State mentioned ongoing initiatives focusing on dispatch assessment, clinician roles in 111 services, and frequent callers' management. He acknowledged the MP's point and expressed willingness to discuss further.

  • Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore

    Question

    The MP questioned how neuro-rehabilitation services can be made available across the country for patients with major brain injuries, emphasising that treatment should not stop once it starts.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledged ongoing work through a strategy board and highlighted opportunities to address gaps in geographic coverage from both health and levelling up perspectives.

  • Mark Pawsey Con Not specified

    Question

    Concerned about deteriorating response times in Rugby due to the closure of an ambulance station without consultation, the MP asked for assurance that such decisions should involve local stakeholders.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State agreed that good consultation and engagement with stakeholders lead to better decision-making. He indicated willingness to support cases made by MPs regarding sub-optimal outcomes.

  • Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst

    Question

    The MP criticised the Conservative Government for mismanaging the NHS, leading to poor A&E performance. He asked what steps are being taken to get back to the four-hour target.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State highlighted significant investment in the NHS, including a £38 billion uplift over five years and an ongoing 40 hospitals programme.

  • Jack Brereton Con Not specified

    Question

    Concerned about issues at Royal Stoke University Hospital and previous instances of patients dying in corridors, the MP asked for measures to address these concerns.

    Minister reply

    The Minister emphasised addressing delayed discharge as a key priority, mentioning initiatives like the better care fund and integrated care boards.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Illustrating an efficient response through technology use in Northern Ireland, the MP asked how calls can be triaged without pressuring people but addressing potential misuse of emergency requests.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State expressed willingness to examine specific issues from the MP’s constituency case and highlighted the importance of tech and innovation for better patient outcomes.

Shadow Comment

Rosena Allin-Khan

The shadow minister criticises the government's response as inadequate, highlighting current pressures on ambulance services and hospitals struggling with essential staffing shortages. She questions how additional hospital capacity will be created given resource constraints and expresses concern about patient welfare under such conditions. Labour acknowledges frontline workers' efforts but emphasises the urgent need for concrete actions from the government to address existing health service challenges exacerbated by rising temperatures and increased covid cases. The statement underscores a decade of Conservative management contributing to NHS struggles, including record wait times for treatment and reduced mental health bed availability. Labour demands transparency regarding auxiliary ambulance contracts and criticises delays in high-level leadership engagement during the crisis.

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