Patient Waiting Times 2024-10-15
2024-10-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP noted concerns about inadequate patient waiting times and criticised the previous government for worsening NHS conditions.
What assessment has his Department made of the adequacy of patient waiting times in light of the previous Conservative Government's impact on the NHS?
Waiting times are wholly inadequate. The previous Conservative Government took a golden inheritance and left behind the worst crisis in NHS history, failing to accept responsibility or apologise.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted disparities in GP numbers between Kingston upon Thames and Kingston upon Hull, emphasizing the need for more GPs.
I pay tribute to my own family GP who goes above and beyond. However, I know that GPs are troubled by patient waiting times. In Kingston upon Thames, a GP looks after 1,800 patients but in Kingston upon Hull it is double that number. What is his right hon Friend doing about the Tory mess?
Thank you for highlighting Dr Islam's efforts. We have found £100 million to employ 1,000 more GPs before the end of this financial year, acknowledging that more GPs are needed in the country.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquired about the potential for expanding local medical schools to support GP recruitment.
Patient waiting times are reduced through more GPs. Will he welcome work of Anglia Ruskin medical school and discuss how it could expand to recruit and train more GPs?
I welcome the right hon Lady's point. We are committed to doubling medical school places, offering real opportunities for local universities such as hers. I would be delighted to meet her about this.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP discussed her experience shadowing a local GP and asked for commitment to primary care services.
News of recruiting more GPs is welcome. I spent time with a local GP seeing how stretched the service was. Will he commit to moving towards investment in primary care services?
We are committed to increasing primary care as part of NHS's budget and building neighbourhood health services with more care closer to homes. General practice has a key role.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted the usefulness of Lord Darzi's technical annex for measuring NHS improvements.
What we measure often improves. The technical annex in Lord Darzi's report is useful and a baseline. Will he ensure it is updated yearly?
Absolutely committed to transparency, keeping the dataset updated yearly as requested. We face challenges rather than pretending they do not exist.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned the lack of progress on preventing smoking among children.
The Prime Minister stresses importance of preventing smoking. According to data, 280 children under 16 take up smoking daily in England since his first 100 days. Why has he not reintroduced Tobacco and Vapes Bill?
His party was divided on issue, unfinished Bill at end of government term. We will deliver a stronger smoking bill unlike previous weak Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for reintroduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
Criticizing Opposition
Historical Context
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent with terminal cancer faced significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, missing all targets set by the NHS. This is not an isolated incident in Shropshire or nationally.
My constituent Mel Lycett has terminal cancer. After repeated visits to her GP, she was referred to a two-week urgent pathway in May. She was not diagnosed until the end of July, and she still has not started treatment. Every single target for her diagnosis and treatment was missed. That is not uncommon in Shropshire, and it is not uncommon in the rest of the country. Can the Secretary of State reassure me of what he is doing to deal with this terrible legacy left behind by the Conservative Government? How will he ensure that cancer patients are treated in a timely manner?
I welcome the hon. Lady to her role. I am afraid that this case is just one of countless stories of people whose lives might have been saved had the NHS been there for them when they needed it. It is bad enough when people receive a late diagnosis that equates to a death sentence; it is worse still when people in that position are not given the fighting chance of urgent, life-extending treatment. The inheritance we have received is truly shameful. I assure the hon. Lady, as a cancer survivor myself—because the NHS was there for me when I needed it—that we will work tirelessly through a national cancer plan to make sure that we deliver the cancer waiting time standards that the last Labour Government met, and that are sorely needed today.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not provide specific actions or commitments on how they will ensure timely treatment for cancer patients beyond a commitment to work through a national cancer plan.
We Will Work Tirelessly
Through A National Cancer Plan
Response accuracy