Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NHS Trusts: Capital Spending

Tuesday 2 November 2021 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has committed 12 billion of capital funding for NHS estate investment and maintenance.
  • Welcomes constituent hospital rebuild requests and commits to funding eight additional hospitals by 2030.
  • Urges discussion with DHSC on hospital configuration for Shropshire to ensure value for money.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lucy Allan Con
NHS
Context

Concern about the scrutiny of NHS trusts' capital spending and ensuring value for money.

Question

What steps his Department is taking with the Department of Health and Social Care to help ensure scrutiny of NHS trusts' capital spending. The questioner seeks details on measures taken to prevent overspending and ensure accountability in capital projects.

Answer from Simon Clarke

The government has committed £12 billion of capital funding for investment in and maintenance of the NHS estate, with further funds allocated for diagnostics, technology, hospital upgrades, and new hospitals. The process for selecting eight additional new hospitals is being led by DHSC based on criteria including clinical need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific scrutiny measures or accountability mechanisms directly.

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Q2 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
NHS
Context

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has a structurally deficient roof, and the questioner argues for its case to be considered for one of the new hospital schemes.

Question

I welcome the funding for the new hospitals programme, highlighting that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn needs rebuilding. Given the need to rebuild the hospital, does my right hon. Friend agree it is better to have a properly funded new hospital rather than an unplanned cost with emergency funding?

Answer from Simon Clarke

Welcomes the passion for improving constituents' lives and commits to funding eight additional hospitals by 2030 based on criteria including clinical need. Encourages engagement in the process but does not comment specifically on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital case.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm agreement or provide specifics for King's Lynn hospital project.

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Q3 Lucy Allan Con
NHS
Context

Concern about the escalating costs of a Shropshire plan to build a state-of-the-art critical care unit and the need for value for money in NHS projects.

Question

Thanks the Front Bench team for the Budget that benefited constituents. Questions who is responsible for ensuring value for money in significant capital spend for NHS projects, like the Shropshire plan where costs have escalated from £312 million to £560 million. Requests no more cash allocated until a sum is ringfenced for A&E care in Telford.

Answer from Simon Clarke

Agrees on importance of delivering value for money, a shared responsibility across government. Urges discussion with DHSC about right hospital configuration for Shropshire but does not address accountability or specific fund allocation requests.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify who is responsible for ensuring value for money and did not confirm no more cash will be allocated until A&E care funds are ringfenced.

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Q4 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
NHS
Context

The Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport has a high maintenance bill, with ambitious plans to rebuild the hospital on a new town centre site.

Question

Pleased that Minister mentioned eight additional hospital rebuilds and highlights the historical importance of Stepping Hill Hospital since 1905. Argues for moving it to a more accessible location in town centre and requests favourable consideration of these plans.

Answer from Simon Clarke

Welcomes case for Stockport health facilities, mentions seriousness with which all proposals are considered. Although not commenting specifically due to lack of detail sighted, offers conversations regarding proposal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm looking favourably on Stepping Hill Hospital plans or provide specific commitment.

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