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Summer Health and Resilience
09 September 2026
Lead MP
Yvette Cooper
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Social CareEnergyNHS
Other Contributors: 36
At a Glance
Yvette Cooper raised concerns about summer health and resilience 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
Yvette Cooper provided a brief update on the additional pressures on health due to the heat this summer, the NHS's response, and future plans for investment and reform. She highlighted the record heat and its impact on the NHS, including high A&E attendances and ambulance incidents. She announced a £6.75 billion estate safety fund, with £1.5 billion for 950 hospital projects to fix urgent building and facility issues, including improving cooling and ventilation. She also established a heat taskforce to examine the impact on vulnerable groups and improve summer planning. She emphasised the importance of social care and health-care coordination, acknowledging the need for substantial reform.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
What lessons has the Department learned from the UK Health Security Agency reports on adverse weather and health? What preparations had it made in advance of the summer? What guidance was given to trusts and care homes?
Minister reply
The minister did not provide specific details in her response to the Q&A session but would likely address these questions during a subsequent debate or meeting.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
What conversations has the Secretary of State had with counterparts in other countries to learn from their experiences?
Minister reply
The minister did not provide specific details in her response to the Q&A session but would likely address these questions during a subsequent debate or meeting.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the effect of the NHS reorganisation on its ability to put in place changes at short notice? What steps is she taking to ensure that personal protective equipment design reflects the changed needs?
Minister reply
The minister did not provide specific details in her response to the Q&A session but would likely address these questions during a subsequent debate or meeting.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
What is the right hon. Lady doing across Government to make heating and cooling more affordable for households and individuals?
Minister reply
The minister did not provide specific details in her response to the Q&A session but would likely address these questions during a subsequent debate or meeting.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
What guarantees can she give about wider preparedness for winter and when will the Secretary of State come to the House to set out those plans? What is she doing to grip the increase in A&E waiting times since the change of government?
Minister reply
The minister did not provide specific details in her response to the Q&A session but would likely address these questions during a subsequent debate or meeting.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
The shadow Secretary of State welcomed the statement but raised several concerns, including lessons learned from the UK Health Security Agency reports on adverse weather and health, preparations made in advance of the summer, and the guidance given to care and nursing homes. He also inquired about the impact of the NHS's massive reorganisation on its ability to respond to changes, the need for better personal protective equipment design, and the Government's efforts to make heating and cooling more affordable. He further questioned the Secretary of State about winter preparedness and the number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E for admission.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State thanked the shadow Secretary of State for his response and acknowledged the importance of the issues raised. She highlighted the improvements in NHS performance despite the record demand, and mentioned that planning for winter is already under way across the NHS. The Secretary of State also discussed the establishment of a heat taskforce and the investment in capital funding to improve resilience, including £32 million for repairs and safety issues and an additional £1.5 billion for facility upgrades. She also acknowledged the need to support NHS staff and address issues like corridor care.
Question
My hon. Friend welcomed the statement and raised the issue of ambulances having to queue outside hospitals for extended periods, particularly in her constituency of Mid and South Essex. She called for hospital trusts to provide a space for paramedics and ambulance crews to rest and recuperate during such instances.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State thanked the hon. Friend for recognising the crucial role of ambulance staff and paramedics. She agreed that staff need support and offered to pass on the specific case to NHS England for further discussion.
Question
The hon. Member welcomed the statement but expressed concern about the NHS being in a permacrisis, with overcrowded A&Es and soaring 999 calls year-round. She highlighted the challenges faced due to record temperatures and the unacceptable conditions in many NHS trusts. She also raised the issue of corridor care, noting that the percentage of people waiting 12 hours or more in A&E has tripled since before the pandemic, and the Lib Dems' plan to invest more in step-down care and social care to reduce 12-hour waits.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State thanked the hon. Member for her expertise and interest in the topic. She highlighted the £32 million allocated for capital repairs and safety issues, and the additional £1.5 billion for facility upgrades to improve cooling systems. She also acknowledged the importance of addressing corridor care and introduced reporting and publication of those statistics to ensure priority. She praised the work of A&E teams despite the huge increase in demand.
Question
Welcomes the new Secretary of State and expresses concern about the abuse faced by NHS staff, including racism and violence, and asks for the Secretary of State's condemnation and suggestions for additional action.
Minister reply
Condemns the abuse faced by NHS staff and expresses a commitment to work with staff groups and unions to uphold strong standards and ensure staff support.
Question
Questions the Secretary of State about the Labour government's policy on mandatory advice and guidance and single point of access, which has been criticised for causing harm to patients, and asks if the Secretary of State will commission a review of the policy.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of the policy and its benefits but agrees to investigate cases where it goes wrong, and to review the regulatory framework to uphold high standards.
Question
Acknowledges the investment in Ealing Hospital and asks if the Secretary of State agrees that the announcement will help the NHS save money that can be spent on patient care.
Minister reply
Agrees that modernising the NHS estate can reduce energy bills and free up money for frontline care.
Question
Expresses frustration about the repeated announcements regarding the ventilation system at Stepping Hill hospital and invites the Secretary of State to visit the hospital to see the state of repair of the buildings.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the funding of £200 million for improving NHS estates and reminds the MP that some problems date back to austerity measures post-2010.
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State and asks about York hospital's desire for a new hospital and recognition of the primary care work in preventing frail and elderly people from entering hospital.
Minister reply
Supports the idea of preventing people from entering hospitals unnecessarily and acknowledges the importance of integrated care for improving healthcare.
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State and raises issues about staff fatigue and the need for a workforce plan to ensure staff resilience.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for a workforce plan and expresses the intention to complete it, including prioritising a workforce strategy for social care.
Question
Questions the Secretary of State about the impact of extreme heat on mental health and asks for attention to NHS mental health waiting lists.
Minister reply
Agrees to look at the impact of extreme heat on mental health and confirms the intention to bring forward a new mental health strategy before Christmas.
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State and expresses concern about the abolition of Healthwatch England and local watchdogs, and asks if the Secretary of State will be aware of patients’ views without them.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of patient voice in local health services and expresses a commitment to look at provisions around Healthwatch to ensure accountability and patient voice.
Harlow
Question
Expressed thanks to NHS and care staff for their work during the summer and emphasised the need for emergency funding for the Princess Alexandra hospital, which is in wave 2 of the new hospital programme, due to its ageing estate.
Minister reply
Welcomed the MP's enthusiasm and determination and confirmed that the hospital is included in wave 2 of the new hospital programme. Emphasised the government's commitment to upgrading NHS facilities and ensuring that there are facilities for staff and patients in Harlow.
Andrew George
Lib Dem
St Ives
Question
Asked the Secretary of State to look again at the issue of acute hospital beds, expressing concerns about the pressures on frontline services and the need to stabilise hospitals before shifting to community care.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the pressures on acute hospitals and the importance of having good acute care and strong hospitals that perform well. Emphasised the need to prevent people from needing to go into hospital unnecessarily and to do more around neighbourhood health.
John Slinger
Con
Rugby
Question
Welcomed the Secretary of State to her place and paid tribute to NHS staff in Rugby. Asked for some of the £450 million mentioned in the statement to be looked at the urgent care centre in Rugby.
Minister reply
Joined the MP in thanking NHS staff and acknowledged the importance of every role in the health service. Confirmed the provision of £450 million to transform urgent and emergency care and thanked those involved.
Adam Dance
Con
Yeovil
Question
Asked about steps to protect housebound individuals and their carers from the public health risk of heatwaves, highlighting indoor temperatures of over 49°C reported during the recent heatwaves.
Minister reply
Asked the chief medical officer to look at the health risks posed by heatwaves, including those for housebound individuals and those with disabilities, and acknowledged the importance of local authorities looking at these issues in local areas.
Alison Hume
Con
Whitby
Question
Asked about the assessment of the health risks posed by wildfire smoke, highlighting the release of 25,000 tonnes of carbon during a wildfire near Whitby.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the impact of wildfires on public health and confirmed that the chief medical officer attended a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister to look at the wildfires over the summer, and that rapid advice is being given to people with pre-existing health conditions.
Adrian Ramsay
Lab
Norwich North
Question
Highlighted the challenges facing the NHS during a heatwave, including the switching off of MRI scanners at the Norfolk and Norwich university hospital, resulting in hundreds of people losing their appointments.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the issue and highlighted the need for capital investment in the resilience of NHS estates and equipment, and the need to rethink ways of working to respond to climate change.
James Naish
Con
East Leake and Sherwood
Question
Asked for a commitment to ensuring that older, rural areas are prioritised, and that the team look at East Leake health centre.
Minister reply
Welcomed the MP standing up for healthcare in his constituency and confirmed that ICBs are being asked to look at priority needs in different locations in each area.
Alison Bennett
Con
Torbay
Question
Asked why the provisions for pooled budgets, including the better care fund, are being weakened in the Health Bill, and requested reconsideration.
Minister reply
Emphasised the importance of the better care fund, which has £9 billion jointly allocated, and highlighted the need for better co-ordination between health and social care to prevent people from entering hospital unnecessarily.
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State to her place and thanks NHS staff for their work in tough conditions. Acknowledges investment in Kettering General Hospital but expresses concern about the deteriorating maternity ward and the delay in construction. Requests a meeting to discuss urgent challenges.
Minister reply
Agrees to discuss the issue further and acknowledges the importance of maternity issues, expressing a commitment to prioritise such issues.
Question
Highlights urgent need for investment in Royal Blackburn Hospital due to population growth and capacity issues. Questions if the hospital estate and workforce will be extended to prevent further deterioration.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the additional £29 billion investment in NHS, recruiting more healthcare workers, and the establishment of the major new hospitals programme and the £6.75 billion estate safety fund.
Question
Raises concern about water supply issues at Darent Valley Hospital due to internal heating system fault and contaminated water networks. Asks for capital funding support for modernisation of North Kent hospitals and buildings.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the issue and the long-term under-investment in the NHS estate since 2009, encouraging local areas to prioritise further capital improvements and improvements in infection control and building repairs.
Question
Asks the Secretary of State to engage with Historic England and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to reform conservation and listing rules to address overheating in conservation areas.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of addressing health inequalities related to housing and communities, highlighting community-led solutions for cooling and resilience planning.
Question
Highlights Leicester's projected increase in heat vulnerability and asks for reassurance regarding health facilities' ability to cope with rising temperatures.
Minister reply
Points to the new planning processes for summer pressures and the framework for local resilience planning to ensure NHS resilience in Leicester.
Question
Discusses the impact of hot conditions at Winchester Hospital and asks for consultation with clinical staff and infection control experts when addressing repairs backlog and ensuring resilience in hotter summers.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of infection control and building repairs, highlighting the £1.5 billion fund covering 950 projects across England.
Question
Welcomes the £32 million funding for cooling and ventilation in hospitals and asks for discussions with the Department for Education about adapting school estates to climate change.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the Secretary of State for Education's commitment to keeping children in school and ensuring resilience in public buildings.
Question
Expresses concerns about the Torbay Hospital tower block, deemed unfit and potentially a fire risk, and asks for funding for a new ward tower block.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the new hospital programme's waves of work, the £6.75 billion estates safety fund, and points out the decline in NHS capital investment since 2009.
Question
Thanks for the additional funding and welcomes NHS staff's efforts. Requests a meeting to address complaints about delayed release of patients' bodies for burial.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of respectful and timely release of bodies and commits to ensuring a Health Minister discusses the issue further.
Question
The Secretary of State mentioned social care. There have been a number of distressing reports in the media about care home deaths from heatstroke, and I have written to her about a case where a resident was left in direct sun for a period of time. Does the Secretary of State have plans to improve knowledge and understanding of heatstroke among the care home workforce, and how will the CQC assess whether they are taking appropriate steps?
Minister reply
The hon. Member is absolutely right to raise this issue. It is one of the first issues I raised with the Department of Health and Social Care teams during some of the first meetings I had after being appointed; at the height of some of the heatwaves, we were looking at what could be done to ensure that the right advice and requirements were going out to social care across the country. Many care homes did a phenomenal job, sometimes in difficult circumstances because of old buildings, but the hon. Member is absolutely right to point out areas where things did not happen in the way they needed to. We are looking further at this issue as part of the heat taskforce.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Secretary of State very much for her statement, and welcome the commitment she has made. Strangford’s ageing population rely heavily on robust community care and swift access to their GPs, so can the Secretary of State outline what specific discussions she is having with her counterparts in the devolved Administrations—particularly in Northern Ireland—to ensure a UK-wide co-ordinated approach to summer resilience? What targeted support has been made available for community pharmacy networks, which so often act as the frontline of defence when GPs’ surgeries are stretched to capacity, as we prepare for the cold and flu season?
Minister reply
I can reassure the hon. Member that regular meetings and discussions take place, involving not just Ministers but chief medical officers across the devolved Administrations, to ensure there is co-ordination. There are areas where we can learn from each other, but there are also areas where we need proper co-ordination, particularly on some of the public health and information issues and—as the hon. Member rightly says—some of the issues that link into our economic supply chains, including community pharmacies.
Shadow Comment
Damian Hinds
Shadow Comment
Damian Hinds welcomed the statement but questioned the Department's preparedness for the summer's extreme heat. He asked about lessons learned from the UK Health Security Agency, preparations in advance of the summer, and guidance given to trusts and care homes. He also inquired about international collaborations and the impact of the NHS reorganisation on its ability to respond to changes. Hinds questioned the minister about steps to address energy costs and the design of personal protective equipment. He raised concerns about winter preparedness and the increase in A&E waiting times since the change of government.
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