Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regional Health Inequalities

Tuesday 1 March 2022 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Karl Turner asked about steps to tackle regional health inequalities and waiting times for NHS treatment in Hull.
  • Karl Turner raised concerns about health disparities between men and women, citing statistics on life expectancy and suicide rates.
  • Nicholas Fletcher criticized the Minister's response, pointing out that NHS data shows increasing and regional disparities in waiting times.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
NHS
Context

The MP highlighted the disparity in NHS treatment waiting times across England, with specific reference to Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospitals where over 5,000 people were on waiting lists. He cited a statistic showing that someone living in east Hull is more than twice as likely to wait for over 12 months for treatment.

Question

I am concerned about the steps being taken by the Department to tackle regional health inequalities including waiting times for NHS treatment. Before the pandemic, 4.5 million people were waiting for treatment on NHS lists in England. In Hull specifically, over 5,000 individuals are on waiting lists at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospitals. Why is someone who lives in east Hull more than twice as likely to be waiting for more than 12 months on an NHS waiting list?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

While I recognise that the waiting times in Hull are some of the highest in the country, I am sure the hon. Gentleman will welcome the investment that the Government are putting into his constituency to change that. The Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospitals have £60 million of funding, including £2.8 million for new respiratory wards, £1.6 million for new specialist theatre facilities, and £1.1 million for oxygen resilience wards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address why waiting times are disproportionately high in Hull or what specific measures will be taken to improve this situation beyond mentioning general funding allocations.

How: While I Recognise That The Waiting Times In Hull Are Some Of The Highest In The Country

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP noted that men die four years earlier on average than women and highlighted higher suicide rates among men. He also pointed out the disparity in cancer deaths, with one man dying from prostate cancer during oral questions.

Question

In addition to regional disparities, will the Minister look into disparities between men and women's health? Men die four years earlier than women on average, 75% of suicides are by men, and during the time taken for oral questions, one man will die from prostate cancer. Through my work as chair of the all-party group on issues affecting men and boys, we have taken evidence that points to the need for a men's health strategy.

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I absolutely take the point that my hon. Friend makes around the disparity in life expectancy between those in the most and the least deprived areas, which is greater for men. We will be publishing the health disparities White Paper, and we will focus on any disparities, including those that affect men.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details about a dedicated strategy or timeline for addressing gender disparities in health outcomes beyond acknowledging their existence and mentioning a forthcoming white paper.

How: We Will Be Publishing The Health Disparities White Paper

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Nicholas Fletcher
NHS
Context

The MP highlighted significant regional disparities in NHS waiting times, noting that while over 70% of patients at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust were seen within 18 weeks, only 38% of patients received treatment within the same period at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Question

The Minister's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull East (Karl Turner) was quite frankly unbelievable. The fact is that waiting lists are projected to continue increasing year on year. NHS data shows huge regional inequalities in waiting times. Across the river, at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, over 70% of patients are being seen within 18 weeks, but in University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust just 38% of patients are being seen in that time. That is not levelling up, so exactly when do the Government plan on getting a grip on those health inequalities?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I am disappointed that the hon. Gentleman is not happy with the investment going into Hull that will try to tackle some of those disparities, because we recognise that there are waiting lists.

Not addressed: The answer shifted focus from addressing regional health inequalities in waiting times to mentioning general funding for Hull without providing specifics or a timeline for resolving the issue across other regions.

How: I Am Disappointed That The Hon. Gentleman Is Not Happy With The Investment Going Into Hull

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email