Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Urgent and Emergency Care

Tuesday 23 January 2024 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department published an urgent and emergency care recovery plan almost a year ago.
  • NHS has halved waiting times for category 2 ambulances and reduced waits in A&E.
  • Gregory Campbell highlighted the need for staff protection in emergency departments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Pawsey Con
NHS
Context

The MP asked about steps being taken by the government department to improve access to urgent and emergency care services. This is in response to growing concerns over waiting times and accessibility.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to increase access to urgent and emergency care. There are ongoing issues with waiting times and accessibility, particularly as Rugby experiences rapid population growth.

Answer from Helen Whately

Almost a year ago, we published our urgent and emergency care recovery plan. The NHS has already halved the waiting times for category 2 ambulances and brought down waits in A&E. We are determined to cut NHS waits, and our plan is working.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify concrete steps or commitments related to increasing access specifically, focusing instead on overall improvements.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Mark Pawsey Con
NHS
Context

The MP asked about the support given by the Minister to address insufficient accident and emergency provision in Rugby, where a petition has gathered thousands of signatures. The previous Ministers have visited the area.

Question

Rugby is one of the fastest growing places in the UK. While we have had additional services introduced at our local Hospital of St Cross, my constituents have insufficient accident and emergency provision. Thousands of local residents have signed my petition for doctor-led accident and emergency care at the Hospital of St Cross. I know it is a matter for the integrated care board, but will the Minister give her support? As a previous Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Will Quince) and the previous Secretary of State have visited in the past few months, and I invite this Minister to do likewise.

Answer from Helen Whately

I thank my hon. Friend for his invitation. He has been a tireless campaigner on this issue on behalf of his constituents. The future of healthcare is about getting people the care that they need, where they need it and when they need it, and Rugby is no different. New local NHS services are bringing care closer to home in his area, such as the new imaging unit at the Hospital of St Cross that opened in September.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific support or commitment for doctor-led A&E provision at the Hospital of St Cross.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
NHS
Context

The MP raised concerns about the safety of staff working in emergency departments and called for greater protection, especially from violent attacks by intoxicated individuals.

Question

Access to urgent and emergency care can be greater facilitated when greater protection is offered to staff, particularly the many who suffer attacks in emergency departments at hospitals across the United Kingdom—often by people who are intoxicated. The hon. Member makes an important point.

Answer from Helen Whately

The hon. Member makes an important point. The safety of our staff in the national health service is important, including those in urgent and emergency care departments, as well as the ambulance services. He is absolutely right to point that out, and it is never acceptable for anyone, including patients, to be violent towards staff.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the issue but does not provide specific measures or commitments to increase protection for staff in emergency departments.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email