Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-border NHS Provision: Waiting Times

Wednesday 6 March 2024 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jamie Stone asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care about discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the Scottish Government on reducing waiting times for cross-border NHS provision.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the importance of cross-border healthcare cooperation, citing examples from their own constituency in the Scottish Borders.
  • Jamie Stone raised a case involving a constituent needing specialized treatment for subglottic stenosis in London, highlighting a local health board's reluctance to refer her for the necessary care.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
NHS
Context

The Liberal Democrat MP raised concerns about cross-border waiting times for healthcare. He mentioned discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the Scottish Government.

Question

Whether he has had recent discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Scottish Government on waiting times for cross-border NHS provision.

Answer from John Lamont

The Government recognise the invaluable job that all NHS workers do; I see that every day of the week in my constituency in the Scottish Borders. That is why the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has written to the Scottish Government about working together to reduce patient waiting times. We continue to be open to exploring that further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer lacks specific details on what discussions have taken place or any concrete actions being planned.

How: That Is Why The Secretary Of State For Health And Social Care Has Written To The Scottish Government About Working Together To Reduce Patient Waiting Times.

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Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
NHS Scotland
Context

A constituent suffers from subglottic stenosis, a rare condition, and the local health board is refusing to refer her to the only clinic that can treat it.

Question

I have a lady constituent who suffers from a rare and dangerous condition called subglottic stenosis. Only one clinic has the expertise to treat the condition, and it is in London, yet our local health board is refusing to refer her. It says that it can offer another treatment, but it is thought to be less safe and possibly not very effective. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that patients, regardless of which side of the border they live on, get the best possible treatment?

Answer from John Lamont

I am regularly reminded, particularly as an MP for the Borders, of the need for healthcare to benefit people on either side of the border, particularly through cross-border working with the NHS. Local people in the Borders often get treatment faster and more easily because of that. Sadly, the hon. Member has highlighted a real problem with Scotland's NHS, thanks to the mismanagement by the SNP Government in Edinburgh, particularly in rural health services. He has identified a very distressing case for his constituent and I am very happy to write to the Scottish Government, along with him, to raise the case with them.

Not addressed: The answer does not provide concrete steps from the government but instead criticises the SNP's management of rural health services in Scotland.

How: Sadly, The Hon. Member Has Highlighted A Real Problem With Scotland'S Nhs, Thanks To The Mismanagement By The Snp Government In Edinburgh

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