← Back to House of Commons Debates
Health and Social Care
03 December 2021
Lead MP
Edward Argar
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmploymentBenefits & WelfareParliamentary Procedure
Other Contributors: 30
At a Glance
Edward Argar raised concerns about health and social care 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:
Government Statement
Madam Deputy Speaker, the Minister made an announcement on winter preparedness for health and social care services. The statement outlined a £700 million fund to support elective recovery initiatives across England, aimed at reducing waiting times by providing more operating theatres and beds. This includes £112 million for the north-east and Yorkshire, £131 million for the midlands, and £97 million for the north-west. Additionally, the NHS has been given an extra £55 million to boost staff numbers this winter; nearly half a billion pounds is allocated for an enhanced discharge programme; measures are in place to reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments, waiting times, and improve patient flow. The Minister also highlighted the expansion of booster programmes and the approval of new antiviral treatments. They emphasised the need to tackle the backlog caused by elective care during the pandemic and stressed the importance of public cooperation such as getting flu and covid-19 jabs.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Question
Welcoming the announcements, Wes Streeting criticises the Government's failure to address pre-pandemic challenges such as NHS waiting lists of almost 6 million and staff shortages. He also notes that the National Audit Office predicts waiting lists will double in three years. He argues a credible plan would have been published earlier and must focus on workforce building and clear targets for reduction.
Minister reply
Edward Argar pays tribute to Wes Streeting's predecessor, Jonathan Ashworth, and congratulates him on his new role. He emphasises the Government’s record funding of £33.9 billion and acknowledges the importance of prevention and fixing social care but cautions against past failures in addressing social care issues under previous Labour governments.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
Can the Minister confirm that it is Government policy to encourage reopening of mass vaccination centres? Bernard Jenkin highlights the efforts by South Suffolk & North East Essex ICS and Harwich port in securing facilities for mass vaccinations.
Minister reply
Edward Argar confirms and commends the innovative solutions being implemented, such as those at Harwich port, which are exactly what is needed to boost booster rates.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Birkenhead
Question
Alison McGovern asks for a response on securing more staff and better pay in social care, highlighting current crisis conditions faced by professionals.
Minister reply
Edward Argar acknowledges that he does not have responsibility for social care but notes that £162 million has been allocated to support the social care workforce. The Minister for Care will expedite a response to McGovern's letter.
Gary Sambrook
Con
Question
Gary Sambrook thanks the Minister and highlights the contrast with Labour years, mentioning that the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has received eight successful bids for new wards.
Minister reply
Edward Argar praises Gary Sambrook’s championing of his local trust and notes the difference in approach to PFI debt.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Alistair Carmichael asks how quickly areas like Cornwall and Shropshire, already facing crisis, can see improvements with the additional funding.
Minister reply
Edward Argar notes that ambulance trusts have received an additional £55 million in advance of this winter to prepare for pressures. The current funding is on top of that.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Question
Felicity Buchan highlights the Government's investment of £34 billion and questions whether it needs to go to the frontline and if value for money is ensured.
Minister reply
Edward Argar agrees, emphasising the need to ensure that as custodians of taxpayers' pounds, they implement innovation and reform so the money reaches the frontline and delivers patient care.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
Expresses gratitude towards the Government for their cooperation on acquired brain injury. Mentions a national strategy and co-chairing role with Minister for Care and Mental Health.
Minister reply
Compliments Chris Bryant's work on the issue, noting his expertise will be valuable to the new strategy.
Dean Russell
Con
Question
Asks about the £700 million funding for NHS services and its impact. Thanks Watford General Hospital staff.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Dean Russell's volunteering during the pandemic, confirms the funding will improve patient care.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Question
Concerned about physical assaults on NHS workers and asks for measures to prevent such incidents.
Minister reply
Condemns violence against NHS staff, highlights recent legislation increasing penalties for assault.
Flick Drummond
Con
Question
Highlights GP recruitment issues in Meon Valley and requests support from new funding.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of GPs and promises to look at best ways to recruit and support them.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
Asks about investment for Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals, questioning the 'new hospital' label.
Minister reply
Promises to meet Andrew Slaughter regarding local hospital project improvements.
Peter Gibson
Con
Question
Welcomes the extra £112 million for north-east Yorkshire and acknowledges NHS's priority status.
Minister reply
Agrees that the funding demonstrates commitment to the NHS, praising Peter Gibson’s dedication.
Mike Kane
Lab
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Question
Discusses the need for modernization at Wythenshawe hospital and requests a change in Treasury rules.
Minister reply
Reassures Mike Kane about his concerns, promising to continue discussions on changing rules.
Question
Queries the progress of delivering 50,000 more nurses by end of Parliament as per manifesto.
Minister reply
Confirms that progress is being made towards this goal.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Question
Inquires about new hospital campuses for Halton and Warrington, expressing concern over delays.
Minister reply
Explains the evaluation process for funding bids without prejudging outcomes.
Maldon
Question
Highlights primary care access challenges in mid-Essex and seeks information on government measures.
Minister reply
Emphasises the importance of primary care, notes significant investment for face-to-face appointments.
Julie Marson
Con
Question
Asks about funding to support NHS and policies like community diagnostic hubs, citing a constituent's case.
Minister reply
Confirms the importance of early diagnosis, noting investment in diagnostic hubs will help.
Welwyn Hatfield
Question
I thank my hon. Friend for the £700 million that he has announced this morning; my Don Valley constituents will be pleased to hear that. While I have the Minister’s attention, will he thank all the volunteers in Doncaster and all the constituents who have come forward to have their jab? And is there any chance of a new hospital?
Minister reply
I will certainly join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to all the volunteers and all those who have come forward for their jabs.
Ruth Edwards
Lab
East Leake
Question
I welcome the £131 million for the midlands that the Minister has announced today. I am very aware, though, that my constituents in East Leake are being served by a health centre that is the oldest in Nottinghamshire and which is far too small for the population growth that we have seen in recent years. Twenty months ago, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care—my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St Edmunds (Jo Churchill)—promised at the Dispatch Box that we would have a ministerial visit to East Leake so that the Department could see what we were dealing with. I completely understand that that was impossible at the height of the pandemic, but that has long passed, so will the Minister recommit to that visit today and take that request back to his Department, because despite repeated chasing by me and my office staff, we cannot get a date from it in the diary?
Minister reply
It would be easy to commit the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Maria Caulfield), to a visit because she is not here.
Andy Carter
Lab
Warrington South
Question
Following the point made by the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury), the greatest challenge that we face to recovery from covid in Warrington is that our hospital is too small. Warrington trust recently submitted a bid for a new purpose-built hospital. Will my hon. Friend assure me that, in the new year, he will look favourably on Warrington?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend, along with many right hon. and hon. Members, is doing his bit to push the cause of his local hospital investment bid.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Question
I thank my hon. Friend for his statement on health and social care planning. The worry is, of course, that the omicron variant will put a lot of pressure on that planning. Will he update the House on where the Department has got in crunching the data on how dangerous or not omicron will be?
Minister reply
The latest statistic I have on the number of cases in this country is, I believe, 42.
Rob Butler
Con
Merryhill
Question
I welcome the publication of the health and social care approach outlined by the Minister. The details of the funding breakdown to help tackle a backlog in elective care will undoubtedly provide hospitals with the clarity and support that they need. However, we also need to reduce the number of people remaining in hospital when they no longer require medical care. Does he agree that one possible option to help alleviate that would be intermediate care provision that is a step between hospital and home?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight that.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Question
The investment that the Minister has announced together with the 100 community diagnostic hubs will make a big difference in helping people to get the referrals that they need. Does my hon. Friend agree that early diagnosis depends on being able to see the appropriate clinician face to face where necessary, whether in hospital or in a GP’s surgery?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Question
Will my hon. Friend allocate a portion of the enhanced winter discharge funding to mental health support for young people? I have had another secondary school student take their own life—that is my crisis. We need more mental health support and out-of-hospital provision for young people.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend highlights the hugely important point that over winter we face challenges not just in physical health but in mental health.
Ian Levy
Lab
Blyth Valley
Question
My constituents in Blyth Valley will welcome the £700 million in funding for the NHS. May I thank the staff in the sterilisation unit in Cramlington, the A&E hospital for Northumberland, for all the work that they have done? That goes to prove that we are a proactive Government, not a reactive Government, when it comes to healthcare.
Minister reply
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the team in the sterilisation unit in his local accident and emergency hospital.
Simon Jupp
Con
East Devon
Question
People in East Devon will warmly welcome the £700-million investment in our NHS. Will my hon. Friend outline when patients in Devon will know how that money will improve local services?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend.
Tom Randall
Lab
Nottingham North
Question
Staff in hospitals in Nottinghamshire are working hard, as we have heard, sometimes in difficult circumstances. Today’s announcement includes an extra £4 million of spending for hospitals in Nottinghamshire. Does my hon. Friend agree that that will make a real difference to patients in Nottinghamshire, and will he join me in thanking staff in Nottinghamshire hospitals for the hard work that they are doing at the moment?
Minister reply
I am happy to join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the work of the staff in his local hospitals.
Jacob Young
Con
Redcar
Question
Will the Minister join me in thanking our fantastic primary care services across Teesside, without which we would not have had our world-leading vaccine roll-out? Will he come to Redcar and Cleveland to visit fantastic GP surgeries such as Normanby medical centre and the Saltscar surgery in Redcar, which have been doing all that they can under tremendous pressure?
Minister reply
It looks as if I might be going on tour again;
Marco Longhi
Con
Dudley South
Question
I welcome the Minister’s statement and the gargantuan amounts of money that he, his team and the Government are putting into the NHS. Can he provide me and my Dudley constituents with some assurances that that will translate into additional capacity and bringing down the covid-induced backlogs?
Minister reply
Absolutely, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance.
Shadow Comment
Wes Streeting
Shadow Comment
The shadow Health Secretary welcomed this week’s announcements but criticised the Government for failing to address the existing crisis before the pandemic. NHS waiting lists stand at nearly 6 million, and one in ten people waits months or even years due to staff shortages and pre-pandemic pressures. The NAO has detailed that things will get worse with waiting lists doubling in three years unless a serious plan is put forward. A credible plan would have targets and deadlines, focus on prevention, early intervention, and fixing the social care crisis, and address workforce shortages. Without such measures, the plan announced on 3 December is not considered a genuine strategy.
▸
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.