Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Maternity Services: North London

Tuesday 5 March 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

  • The Minister stated that improving maternity care is a year 2 priority in the women's health strategy.
  • The public consultation on potential changes to north London maternity services runs until March 17th.
  • The local integrated care board and trust propose a 40 million investment into maternity services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tulip Siddiq Lab Hampstead and Highgate
NHS
Context

The maternity unit at the Royal Free Hospital is facing potential closure, despite its unique capability to provide specialized care for high-risk pregnancies involving diabetes, HIV, and interventional radiology.

Question

What discussions has she had with the North Central London integrated care system on the potential closure of maternity services in north London? The maternity unit at the Royal Free Hospital is facing closure. Doctors have informed me that it offers unique treatment for mothers with specific health conditions. Does the Minister agree that the Royal Free maternity unit should remain open to serve vulnerable groups?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

Improving maternity care is a year 2 priority in our women's health strategy. Any decisions around maternity services need to be focusing on improving outcomes for mums and babies. Decisions are made locally by the integrated care board. The public consultation runs until March 17th, and I urge the hon. Lady to raise her concerns during this period.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the Royal Free maternity unit should stay open

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Q2 Tulip Siddiq Lab Hampstead and Highgate
NHS
Context

The Royal Free Hospital's maternity unit faces potential closure despite offering unique care for high-risk pregnancies involving diabetes, HIV, and interventional radiology.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Royal Free maternity unit has to stay open due to its specialized treatment capabilities? The consultation period runs until March 17th. Local proposals include £40 million investment into maternity services.

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I thank the hon. Lady for raising her concerns, but as I said, this is a public consultation running until March 17th. The local proposals by the trust and the integrated care board outline plans for £40 million of significant additional investment into maternity services. Decisions are for the local ICB and trust.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the Royal Free maternity unit should stay open

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Q3 Charles Walker Con
NHS
Context

An elderly constituent was admitted to Barnet Hospital where she experienced poor quality of care, including lack of bathroom assistance and dietary accommodations.

Question

Can I bring to those on the Treasury Bench my concern over the quality of nursing care at Barnet Hospital? An elderly constituent, in her 80s, faced significant issues during a recent stay. She was handed a nappy instead of help using the toilet and not provided with coeliac-friendly food. She was also moved around by arms despite having a broken shoulder.

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I am very sorry to hear about the experience of my hon. Friend's constituent. That level of care is absolutely unacceptable. I know he has raised this issue with Henrietta Hughes, but I am very happy to meet with him and his constituent to discuss those complaints.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the Minister agrees that the care at Barnet Hospital is unacceptable

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