Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Health Outcomes: East Midlands

Tuesday 15 October 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

  • Lord Darzi's report concluded that the health service in the east midlands is in critical condition, with healthy life expectancy declining over the past decade.
  • Edward Leigh highlighted that two-thirds of patients at Lincoln County Hospital's A&E department wait more than four hours, with some waiting up to 24 hours.
  • Matt Western questioned the importance of restoring good quality diagnostics to the NHS following the closure of the Rosalind Franklin laboratory.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
NHS
Context

Lord Darzi's report highlights critical health service conditions in the east midlands with a decline in healthy life expectancy over the past decade.

Question

What steps his Department plans to take to improve health outcomes in the east midlands, given that waiting lists stand at 57% compared to the national average of 58%?

Answer from Karin Smyth

Lord Darzi's report concluded that the health service is in a critical condition across the country, including in the east midlands, where healthy life expectancy has declined in the past decade. Waiting lists in the region stand at slightly below the national average for 18-week waits, at 57% compared to the national average of 58%. We are committed to cutting waiting times and serving constituents by delivering long-term reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps or actions planned by the department to improve health outcomes in the East Midlands, only a general commitment to reform.

How: Committed To Cutting Waiting Times And Serving Constituents, Delivering Long-Term Reform

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Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
NHS
Context

Two thirds of people are waiting more than four hours at the A&E department of Lincoln County Hospital, with reports of individuals waiting up to 24 hours. The questioner seeks to understand if unleashing the power of the private sector is necessary.

Question

With two-thirds of patients having to wait more than four hours at Lincoln County hospital's A&E department and constituents reporting waits of up to 24 hours, does the Minister agree that we must unleash the full power of the private sector to save the NHS and provide timely appointments?

Answer from Karin Smyth

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for helping to underline the shocking inheritance from the previous Government. He is absolutely right that we are committed to cutting waiting times and serving constituents, like mine, by delivering long-term reform the NHS desperately needs. The Government are committed to the funding model as it exists.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address whether unleashing the power of the private sector is necessary, instead reiterating commitment to existing reforms and funding models.

How: Committed To Cutting Waiting Times, Delivering Long-Term Reform

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Q3 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
NHS
Context

The Rosalind Franklin laboratory, set up in the constituency of Matt Western, was recently closed down at a cost of £0.6 billion.

Question

Given the importance of diagnostics for improving health outcomes across the country, does my hon. Friend agree that restoring good quality diagnostics to our NHS is crucial after the closure of the Rosalind Franklin laboratory?

Answer from Karin Smyth

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we are committed to improving diagnostics as part of our reform of the health sector. Analysis shows 20% of people will end up with a hospital admission, most as day cases, and focusing on early prevention, diagnostics, and consultant review at an early stage can improve waiting times.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a specific commitment to restoring high-quality diagnostics after the closure of the Rosalind Franklin laboratory.

How: Committed To Improving Diagnostics

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