Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the state of NHS facilities and their capacity to meet patient needs.
What steps are being taken to improve the infrastructure of the NHS estate? The hospital trust in my constituency is struggling with outdated facilities, affecting service delivery and patient outcomes. I am asking for concrete measures that will be implemented to upgrade these essential healthcare buildings.
In the manifesto, we committed to building 40 new hospitals by 2030 and upgrading another 20. We are delivering on this with plans for 48 new hospitals this decade. Improvements in maintenance, mental health facilities, and A&E capacity are also being made. The Department has received a £9.4 billion capital settlement for 2021-22, including £5.4 billion until 2024-25 for new hospital construction and upgrades, plus £4.2 billion for operational capital.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The hospital in the MP's constituency is constructed primarily with aerated concrete, a material known for structural deficiencies. There are concerns about the safety of this building method.
Some 83% of Airedale hospital is built from aerated concrete, posing significant structural risks. Can you assure me that when your Department considers new infrastructure projects, schemes with high-risk profiles such as Airedale Hospital will be prioritized?
Airedale has been allocated millions for 2021-22 from a ring-fenced budget for RAAC plank remediation. As we set criteria for the next eight hospitals, safety considerations are likely to be key factors.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify if high-risk materials would influence project prioritization directly.
Reassurance Without Commitment
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The trust received £300 million in March 2018 for hospital renovations. Since then, costs have risen due to changes in Green Book standards and clinical requirements.
Will the Minister commit to meeting Shropshire MPs once the strategic business case is complete to help ensure that the project can still be delivered?
A letter confirmed £312 million remains allocated to the scheme. The Minister committed to approving an early funding request of £6 million, and he is happy to meet with Shropshire colleagues.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns have been raised that the reopening of hydrotherapy pools has been jeopardized due to hospital space being allocated for other functions and a lack of prioritization.
Does my hon. Friend agree it is vital to have robust plans in place to reopen as many hydrotherapy pools as possible? Will he consider meeting me to discuss this matter further?
I recognise the value of hydrotherapy in treating certain conditions. I pay tribute to the all-party group's work but note infection control challenges during the pandemic have impacted these services.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister acknowledged importance without providing a direct commitment to robust plans or meeting specifically for this issue.
Acknowledgment Without Concrete Steps
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The elective backlog is at a record high of 5.3 million, with many waiting over a year for treatment. The Secretary of State promised trusts everything they need to address this.
How much will trusts receive and when? Trusts are facing increased admissions due to the ongoing pandemic and must get through their backlog.
£1 billion has been committed to tackling the elective backlog, with a record NHS funding of £33.9 billion to 2023-24, reflecting the Secretary of State's commitment to this issue.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
On Friday, trusts were informed that the threshold for accessing elective recovery funding was increasing, making it harder to access needed funds.
Trusts have been told that thresholds for accessing the elective recovery funding are rising at a critical time with more hospital admissions due to covid. Shouldn't we be providing more resources now?
We have worked with NHS to determine appropriate thresholds for elective recovery funding, considering infection control restrictions' impact on service delivery. The fund aims to ensure trusts are funded for above-normal activity levels to reduce waiting lists.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address why the threshold is increasing or commit to providing more resources immediately.
Explaining Criteria Without Addressing Concerns
Response accuracy