Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Elective Procedure Backlogs

Tuesday 19 October 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister Edward Leigh inquired about steps to reduce elective procedure backlogs in the NHS.
  • The Minister emphasized the NHS's use of independent and private sectors to address capacity issues.
  • Philip Dunne highlighted delays in procedures causing increased pressure on adult social care systems.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
NHS
Context

The NHS is experiencing significant backlogs in elective procedures, affecting elderly patients particularly.

Question

What steps he is taking to reduce elective procedure backlogs in the NHS. Before asking my question, may I make a declaration of personal interest, namely, my age? People of my generation and older are finding more and more delays in elective procedures, but the response of the Government appears to be to just pump more taxpayers' money into the bottomless pit of the NHS.

Answer from Edward Argar

The record investment that we are putting into our NHS, particularly to address the elective procedure backlogs, goes hand in hand with innovation and reform. The NHS is utilising the independent and private sector to carry out procedures for NHS patients.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Tax breaks or similar are matters for the Chancellor, not me.

How: Tax Breaks Or Similar Are Matters For The Chancellor

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Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
NHS
Context

The elective recovery fund has thresholds that disproportionately affect hospitals with less capacity, impacting constituents' access to elective surgery.

Question

What steps will the Minister take to ensure that my constituents in York have funding from the Government to help build that capacity and have the elective surgery they need?

Answer from Edward Argar

The hon. Lady recognised that the thresholds are an additionality alongside the record extra investment we are putting into our NHS. We believe it is the right approach to generate increased capacity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: We believe it is the right approach to generate increased capacity.

How: We Believe It Is The Right Approach

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS
Context

Community hospitals play a crucial role in recovery and rehabilitation, but staffing issues are threatening their operation.

Question

Is the Minister aware that on Friday, NHS Shropshire announced the imminent closure of Bishop's Castle Community Hospital for patient safety reasons due to a lack of qualified nursing staff? Will he work with me to put pressure on the local NHS to develop a plan to recruit suitably qualified nurses and reopen the hospital as soon as possible?

Answer from Edward Argar

My right hon. Friend makes an important point about the role that community hospitals play in helping to drive down waiting lists. I am grateful for him drawing this to my attention, and will look into the specific situation raised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: I am happy to work with him to see what can be done in that situation.

How: See What Can Be Done

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Q4 Philip Dunne Con
NHS Social Care
Context

There is a severe shortage of carers in adult social care, leading to critical situations where families cannot find any support.

Question

Delays in procedures are causing increased pressure on our adult social care system. In September, East Riding of Yorkshire Council told my constituent that there was not a single carer to be had for her mum in the whole of the East Riding, and that the family's options were to put their mum into residential care or to deal with it themselves.

Answer from Edward Argar

The hon. Lady is right to highlight that social care and the NHS go hand in hand, why we have made ambitious proposals for furthering their integration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: I, or perhaps more appropriately the Minister for Care and Mental Health, would be happy to meet her to discuss the details of that situation.

How: Happy To Meet

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Q5 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
NHS
Context

Government spending on the NHS is increasing, but there are concerns about waste and lower productivity.

Question

Before asking my question, may I make a declaration of personal interest, namely, my age? People of my generation and older are finding more and more delays in elective procedures, but the response of the Government appears to be to just pump more taxpayers' money into the bottomless pit of the NHS.

Answer from Edward Argar

The record investment that we are putting into our NHS, particularly to address the elective procedure backlogs, goes hand in hand with innovation and reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Tax breaks or similar are matters for the Chancellor, not me.

How: Tax Breaks Or Similar Are Matters For The Chancellor

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