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New Hospital Programme
24 February 2023
Lead MP
Elliot Colburn
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
NHSTaxation
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Elliot Colburn raised concerns about new hospital programme 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
The MP thanked the Minister for responding to his debate on delays in building a new hospital in Sutton and refurbishment works at St Helier Hospital. He highlighted the Conservative party's pledge of delivering 48 hospitals by 2030, including the plans for a state-of-the-art specialist emergency care hospital in Sutton and upgrades to Epsom and St Helier Hospitals. Colburn expressed concern over delays due to the pandemic and previous scaremongering by Labour and the Liberal Democrats. He provided facts about the new hospital’s services and refurbishment costs, emphasising that 85% of patients will continue to be treated at Epsom and St Helier while the new hospital provides critical care. Colburn stressed the importance of addressing maintenance issues and improving patient safety until the new facilities are operational.
Nickie Aiken
Con
Coveney
The MP acknowledged Elliot Colburn's commitment to healthcare in Carshalton and Wallington, praising his efforts to improve local hospitals.
Government Response
Minister Will Quince thanked Elliot Colburn for raising the debate on delays in building a new hospital in Sutton. He confirmed that Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is part of cohort 3 pathfinder schemes within the national programme approach, currently at outline business case stage with £20.5 million received to date. The Minister highlighted the Government's commitment to Hospital 2.0, an integrated systems approach aiming for up to a 25% efficiency increase compared to traditional methods. He announced plans for parliamentary events and roadshows to demonstrate progress on new hospital designs. Quince confirmed Lord Markham’s visit to the trust when his schedule permits. Regarding maintenance, he noted that NHS organisations are legally responsible but acknowledged decreasing backlog levels since 2016-17. The Government has invested substantial sums in capital investment for trusts to maintain and refurbish premises, including £4.2 billion this year and £8.4 billion over the next two years. He assured continued support through events, communication pieces, milestone moments, and parliamentary engagement to ensure efficient delivery of new facilities.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.