Hospital Bed Capacity 2022-12-06

2022-12-06

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Warrington has had among the highest levels of new houses built over the past two decades, but healthcare infrastructure has not kept pace. In 2021, a bid was submitted for a new hospital.
I am grateful for the Minister's response. Over the last 20 years, Warrington has had among the highest level of new houses built in the north-west of England, but our healthcare infrastructure has not kept pace. We desperately need a new hospital. Our accident and emergency is at breaking point, we do not have enough beds and there is nowhere for those visiting to park their cars. In 2021, my NHS trust submitted a bid to the Department of Health and Social Care for a new hospital. Will he update us on where we are with that process?
I thank my hon. Friend, who has been a long-standing advocate for a new general hospital for Warrington. The expression of interest from the trust has been received. We are currently in the process of reviewing expressions of interest for the eight new hospitals and aim to announce a final decision by the end of the year.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or funding details not provided.
Aim To Announce
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Derek Twigg Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Context
The lack of social care capacity in the community is part of the capacity problem. A recent email from the chief executive of Whiston Hospital indicated that 115 patients were in beds unnecessarily out of a total of 721 adult acute beds.
May I associate myself with the remarks of the hon. Member for Warrington South (Andy Carter) about the need for investment in Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust? It is important that both hospitals have that investment. Part of the capacity problem is the lack of social care capacity in the community, whether in a home or in patients' own homes. Just recently, I had an email from the chief executive of Whiston Hospital, a large acute hospital, where 115 patients were in beds when they did not need to be—they should have been going out of the hospital—out of a total of 721 adult acute beds. Is that not an example of where the Government are failing to provide enough social care out in the community?
We are investing £500 million to create another 200,000 social care placements, but we have significantly increased the number of physical beds available in our hospitals. In July, before we made the commitment to increase bed capacity, we had 96,375 general and acute beds; in October, we had 97,350.
Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or commitments regarding social care placements were detailed.
Significantly Increased Investing £500 Million
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The outstanding care and skill of Hillingdon Hospital staff should be matched by commensurate facilities. The Government are building 40 new hospitals by 2030, including Hillingdon.
Does my hon. Friend agree that it is high time the outstanding care and skill of Hillingdon Hospital staff was matched by commensurate outstanding facilities, and that it is therefore great news that Hillingdon is one of the 40 new hospitals that the Government are building by 2030? Can he confirm that the full funding package will be announced soon, so the whole project can proceed as soon as possible?
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. The Secretary of State visited Hillingdon Hospital—a hospital I am also aware of—over the summer. There has been no greater champion of Hillingdon Hospital, or of the new hospitals programme more broadly, than my right hon. Friend.
Assessment & feedback
No confirmation on funding package timeline provided.
Greater Champion Visited
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Sarah Champion Lab
Rotherham
Context
A constituent of the MP, Yusuf Nazir, a 5-year-old child, died because intensive paediatric beds in Rotherham are no longer available. Ambulance handover delays and A&E waiting times have increased.
Two weeks ago, a 5-year-old constituent of mine, Yusuf Nazir, died because we no longer have intensive paediatric beds in Rotherham. September saw record-breaking ambulance handover delays and the proportion of patients waiting more than 12 hours in accident and emergency rose to 13.8%, nearly double last September's figure. In the last 12 years, Rotherham's NHS has been hollowed out. What is the Minister going to do to reverse that?
First, let me thank the hon. Lady for her question. I am very sorry to hear about the case she highlights. I understand she has written to the Secretary of State on this issue. Ambulance waiting times are not where we want them to be. We have increased ambulance staff by 40% since 2010.
Assessment & feedback
No specific steps or timeline for reversing hollowing out were provided.
Increased Ambulance Staff
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The state of mental health treatment sees increasing numbers of people on waiting lists becoming more unwell. Over the last 12 years, NHS mental health beds have been cut by a quarter.
The current state of mental health treatment sees increasing numbers of people languishing on waiting lists becoming more and more unwell, 1.1 million adults denied treatment, and children stuck in emergency departments for days waiting for mental health beds. Are the Government proud that a systemic cutting of a quarter of NHS mental health beds over the last 12 years has led to more patients receiving treatment in private settings? Do the Government honestly think they are getting good value for money?
This is not my direct area of responsibility, but of course mental health does present challenges for A&Es and for hospitals more generally. We are investing an extra £2.3 billion every year in mental health, we have 16% more staff and we have an additional bursary to attract more nurses into mental health.
Assessment & feedback
No specific stance on spending on private providers or value for money.
Not My Direct Area Extra £2.3 Billion
Response accuracy