Community Hospital Services 2026-01-13
2026-01-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Lloyd Hatton campaigns for the restoration of rheumatology and chemotherapy clinics in Swanage community hospital and Wareham community hospital, respectively. Both were closed despite positive outcomes and high satisfaction levels.
I have been campaigning to restore the rheumatology clinic at Swanage community hospital and the chemotherapy clinic at Wareham community hospital. Both of those clinics were closed despite good health outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction, and local NHS bosses agreed that they were successful clinics before they were mothballed. With all that in mind, does the Secretary of State agree that we must deliver key services and clinics closer to where patients actually live? Will he take the opportunity to encourage local NHS bosses in Dorset to restore our much-needed chemotherapy and rheumatology clinics?
I can well understand why my hon. Friend is particularly concerned about the impact of changes on cancer patients. I know that his integrated care board has heard his representations, and it will have heard them again today; I am sure it will be happy to meet with him, as will my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Health. It is important that people have the services that they need on their doorstep. That is one of the reasons why we are devolving so much power, responsibility and decision making closer to communities so that services can be designed around the differing needs of communities in different parts of the country.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct commitment to restore specific clinics, only suggested meeting with local NHS bosses.
Suggesting Meetings
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
X-rays and scans have been removed from the Oak Park community clinic in Alan Mak's constituency without prior warning or consultation.
Vital services such as X-rays and scans have been removed from the Oak Park community clinic in my constituency without any prior warning or consultation from the ICB. Will the Secretary of State meet with me to discuss how we can restore those services locally so that my constituents do not have to travel to Portsmouth?
The hon. Gentleman should absolutely make representations to his local ICB if he has concerns about service reconfigurations. We are investing more in the NHS, but I recognise that there are none the less big challenges for ICBs to face. I am sure that the ICB would be happy to meet him to hear his concerns.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a direct meeting, only suggested local ICB involvement.
Suggesting Meetings
Acknowledging Challenges
Response accuracy