Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Winter Pressure on NHS Services

Tuesday 5 December 2023 · 6 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government started planning for winter 2023-24 in January with funding for more beds, ambulances, social care, and technology use.
  • Government is providing more capacity through 5000 extra hospital beds and 800 new ambulances around the country this winter.
  • Government has achieved the manifesto commitment to deliver an additional 50000 nurses for the NHS.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
NHS
Context

The NHS is facing significant winter pressures, leading to increased patient visits and overcrowding in hospitals.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to reduce pressure on NHS services in winter 2023-24?

Answer from Helen Whately

We started planning for this winter earlier than ever before—back in January, with funding for more beds and ambulances, social care capacity, care coordination, and technology use to provide care when and where needed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or commitments beyond planning early

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Q2 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
NHS
Context

Two A&E departments in Hornsey and Wood Green face significant pressure, with one seeing double the number of patients compared to last year.

Question

What are the Government going to do about overcrowding in accident and emergency?

Answer from Helen Whately

We are providing more capacity with hospital beds, ambulances, social care, seeing people out of hospitals through 10,000 “hospital at home” beds and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete actions for overcrowded A&E departments

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Q3 Will Quince Con
NHS
Context

The NHS workforce is crucial and needs additional support to meet the demand, especially with winter approaching.

Question

Will the Minister update the House on the delivery of our manifesto commitment for an additional 50,000 nurses?

Answer from Helen Whately

We have achieved the manifesto commitment to deliver an additional 50,000 nurses for the NHS.

Answered
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Q4 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
NHS
Context

Northwick Park Hospital serves a significant population and needs additional intensive care beds to manage winter pressures.

Question

Why do Ministers not invest in a hospital that actually exists and provide a new purpose-built intensive care facility at Northwick Park Hospital?

Answer from Helen Whately

We are investing in the NHS, ensuring more capacity through 5,000 extra hospital beds and 800 new ambulances around the country this winter. We are also focusing on care outside hospitals with proactive measures to support patients.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify investment in Northwick Park Hospital

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Q5 Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham
NHS Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Residents in rural areas face additional challenges accessing specialist medical services, especially during winter months.

Question

What is the Minister doing to ensure that constituents in rural areas are well looked after?

Answer from Helen Whately

We are investing in more ambulance hours and quicker response times, reducing delays and improving A&E performance with faster care delivery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete measures for rural healthcare

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Q6 Abena Oppong-Asare Lab Erith and Thamesmead
NHS
Context

The current government's approach to winter crises is seen as inadequate, with only temporary solutions.

Question

How will patients know that a winter crisis has been avoided if problems persist into the spring?

Answer from Helen Whately

I am really sorry, but the hon. Member's memory appears to be very short. Problems for the NHS during winter existed under previous Labour governments as well; Wales is also struggling with A&E performance issues.

How: Attacking Opposition, Challenging Credibility Of Questioner

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