Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-border Healthcare: Welsh Government Policy

Wednesday 18 October 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Robin Millar inquired about discussions on the impact of Welsh Government policy on cross-border healthcare.
  • Andrea Leadsom questioned the prioritization of spending on politicians and speed limits over NHS funding in Wales.
  • Robin Millar sought confirmation that the UK Government's offer to help reduce patient waiting lists in Wales still applies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Millar
NHS Wales
Context

The disparity in healthcare services between Wales and England, with Welsh patients facing longer waiting times compared to those in England.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of Welsh Government policy on health authorities on cross-border healthcare. The NHS worker sees stark realities of disparity, with over 27,000 patients waiting over two years for treatment in Wales versus about 280 in England.

Answer from James Davies

The Health Secretary has offered to consider requests from the Welsh Government to use alternate providers in England to reduce waiting lists. The offer still stands for patients stuck on waiting lists.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or concrete actions to help reduce patient waiting lists in Wales were not provided beyond mentioning an ongoing offer.

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Q2 Andrea Leadsom Con
NHS Wales
Context

The Welsh Labour Government facing budget cuts for the NHS while spending on other initiatives.

Question

Does the Minister find it extraordinary that the Welsh Labour Government are looking at spending £122 million on new politicians and £33 million on a blanket 20 mph speed limit, while reducing funding for the NHS?

Answer from James Davies

The Labour Welsh Government are prioritising spending on more politicians and an unpopular 20 mph speed limit, leading to less funding for NHS and education. They should invest in important capital projects such as the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Not addressed: Specific commitments or concrete actions to address NHS budget cuts were not provided, instead focusing on political priorities of the Welsh Government.

How: Focusing On Spending Priorities Rather Than Direct Nhs Funding

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Q3 Robin Millar
NHS Wales
Context

The UK government has offered to help reduce patient waiting lists in Wales, but these offers have not been accepted.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that the offer to help reduce patient waiting lists for important medical procedures still stands and patients in Wales have not been forgotten by the UK Government?

Answer from James Davies

The offer from the Department of Health and Social Care to help reduce patient waiting lists still stands. The Minister is encouraged to confirm acceptance of this offer for tens of thousands of patients.

Answered
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