Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 13 January 2026 · 23 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 12 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patients in Worcester are struggling to access urgent care, leading to concerns about gaps in the healthcare system.
  • Financial pressures are affecting hospice beds, with national insurance contributions cited as a significant factor.
  • The Government is committed to establishing 250 new neighbourhood health centres by 2035 to improve access to healthcare in rural areas.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Collins Lab Worcester
NHS
Context

Patients in Worcester are struggling to access urgent care, with many falling through gaps in the system. Tom Collins has conducted a deep dive into the failures of Worcestershire's NHS.

Question

Patients in Worcester are struggling to access urgent care. Far too many are falling through gaps in our system, with devastating consequences and huge amounts of double work, and patients feel that they have to travel too far for treatment. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the results of my deep dive into the failures in Worcestershire’s NHS?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)

My hon. Friend is right; we have to shift care out of hospitals and closer to people’s homes to make sure that we do not end up with the situation he describes. I know that he is doing a lot of work on that in his community, and I am very happy to meet him to hear about his findings and what we can learn and apply both locally for him and his community and elsewhere.

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Q2 Stuart Andrew Con Daventry
NHS
Context

One in five hospice beds are no longer available due to increased costs such as national insurance contributions, leading to concerns about the increase in end-of-life patients in hospitals.

Question

With one in five hospice beds no longer available because of increased costs such as national insurance contributions, it is hardly surprising that doctors are raising concerns about the increase in the number of end-of-life patients in our hospitals. It is therefore concerning to hear that the palliative care modern service framework will not now be available until the autumn. Given that the situation is increasingly urgent, will the Secretary of State commit to accelerating that timescale?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)

We are moving at pace on the modern service framework, but we have recognised those financial pressures, whether through the continuation of the children’s hospice grant over multiple years so that hospices can plan or through the capital investment we have put into hospices, providing the biggest funding uplift for hospices in a generation. I recognise that there is more to do, and I enjoy a close working relationship with the hospice movement to look at what more we as a Government can do to support the vital work that it does.

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Q3 Ben Goldsborough Lab South Norfolk
NHS
Context

The Government has committed to delivering 250 new neighbourhood health centres by 2035, aiming to improve healthcare access for remote and rural communities like South Norfolk.

Question

My South Norfolk constituents welcome the Government’s commitment to 250 new neighbourhood health centres. For rural areas such as mine, where healthcare can be miles away, this is a real turning point. Long Stratton is a growing town, yet it is distant from Norfolk’s main health hubs. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how delivering a neighbourhood health centre for Long Stratton will dramatically improve health outcomes in South Norfolk?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

We are committed to delivering 250 centres by 2035, with a progressive roll-out over this Parliament. Early sites are focused on areas of greatest need, with consideration of factors including deprivation and access. Integrated care systems are in the process of planning the best holistic local configuration of a neighbourhood service. I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the potential for a neighbourhood health centre for Long Stratton.

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Q4 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
NHS Social Care Local Government
Context

Social care crisis is putting pressure on hospitals, with many beds occupied by patients fit enough to be discharged. Funding is being shifted from counties to cities, exacerbating the issue.

Question

The social care crisis is piling pressure on hospitals, with beds taken up by patients who are fit enough to be discharged. It is also piling pressure on local councils such as Shropshire, where 80% of the budget goes to social care, yet the Government are shifting funding from counties to cities and dragging their heels on the social care crisis. Will the Secretary of State take action by reinstating the cross-party talks on social care as a priority, because we need to fix social care if we are going to fix councils, care and the NHS?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)

Cross-party working on social care has never been un-instated. I know there is much more to do, but we have been in government for 18 months and we have put in £4 billion of investment, legislated for the first ever fair pay agreements with £500 million committed to that, made significant additional investment in the disabled facilities grant and, in building the workforce plan for the future, we have commissioned Baroness Casey to do her work. She will be reporting soon and we look forward to taking that work forward.

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Q5 James Frith Lab Bury North
Mental Health
Context

The growing number of referrals in the system, long waiting times, workforce pressures, and the risk of overmedicalisation are pressing issues for child and adolescent mental health services.

Question

Following my recent meeting with Bury’s child and adolescent mental health services, can I ask the Secretary of State whether he has considered the merits of separating neurodiversity services from core CAMHS mental health provision? Will he meet me and Bury’s health leaders to discuss this approach, given the rising number of referrals in the system, the long waiting times, the workforce pressures and the growing risk of overmedicalisation?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

My hon. Friend is right that NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services have never fully met the needs of the population in a tailored, personalised or timely way. The independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, autism and ADHD will explore the current challenges facing clinical services. My hon. Friend the Minister for mental health is currently overseas on departmental business, but I am sure that he would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend on his return.

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Q6 Ian Roome Lib Dem North Devon
NHS
Context

Residents of North Devon have been without NHS dental care for nearly 20 years, with extreme cases such as a tooth held together by superglue.

Question

Over Christmas, I was contacted by constituents in North Devon who have been without NHS dental care for nearly 20 years—one with a tooth held together with superglue. When will the Government reform the dental contract and properly tackle recruitment and retention, especially in rural areas, so that we stop the haemorrhaging of dentists from the NHS in the longer term?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)

We are working closely with the British Dental Association, dentists and patient groups to get a grip on this issue. We know that 95% of dentists would like to see reform to improve recruitment and retention, so we are taking action in partnership with them.

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Q7 Sojan Joseph Lab Ashford
NHS
Context

The MP noted his previous concerns expressed in October about corridor care at the William Harvey hospital and the steps taken to address it, including employing more doctors and freeing up beds. He highlighted 14 years of under-investment.

Question

After 14 years of under-investment, corridor care has become normalised in parts of the NHS. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that they meet their commitment and we see an end to corridor care at the William Harvey hospital?

Answer from Wes Streeting

We are determined to consign corridor care to the history books, not just in Ashford but right across the country. We have taken decisive steps and continue to drive improvement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or immediate actions to end corridor care

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Q8 Adam Dance Lib Dem Yeovil
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Mental Health
Context

The MP highlighted the challenge of accessing mental health services in rural areas due to stretched and underfunded services.

Question

What steps is the Secretary of State taking to improve access to mental health services in Yeovil?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government increased investment in mental health by an extra £688 million in 2025, with all systems forecast to deliver the mental health investment standard. Integrated care boards are required to protect mental health spending in real terms, rising in line with inflation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for rural areas like Yeovil

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Q9 Julia Buckley Lab Shrewsbury
NHS
Context

The MP thanked the Secretary of State for recognizing the improvement in performance at Royal Shrewsbury hospital, which has moved from being one of the worst hospitals to among the most improved. She mentioned the investment through the hospitals transformation programme and two new wards.

Question

Will the Secretary of State join me in thanking staff at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital for their commitment and patience over the past two years as we have seen our trust move from being the worst hospital in the country to the most improved? He could thank staff in person when he joins me on a visit, if he would be so kind.

Answer from Wes Streeting

I am sure that I will be able to swing by on my rounds. It is important to celebrate real improvement and there is more to do, but the credit goes to leaders and staff for the progress made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete plans or further actions to sustain improvements

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Q10 Jess Brown-Fuller Lib Dem Chichester
NHS
Context

The MP highlighted the issue of IVF provision being cut from three cycles to one due to budget pressures by Sussex Integrated Care Board, leading to a postcode lottery and challenges for families going through fertility treatment.

Question

Given that additional cycles improve success rates, will the Secretary of State commit to a nationally consistent standard for IVF?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government are looking at this issue and recognise regional variation as difficult to justify. We follow NICE guidelines, but we will report progress on decisions made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment or timeline for national standardization

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Q11 Jonathan Brash Lab Hartlepool
NHS
Context

The MP noted that not a single NHS dentist is taking on new patients in Hartlepool, and highlighted the progress made with an urgent dental access centre but acknowledged it was insufficient.

Question

What more will be done to fix NHS dentistry in Hartlepool and across the country?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We are looking to improve the unacceptable situation by offering £20,000 to work in underserved areas and making it a requirement for new dentists to practice in the NHS. However, the current situation is not acceptable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete steps or timeline for immediate improvement

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Q12 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
NHS
Context

The MP questioned why it will take until the end of this Parliament to sort out the inadequacy of the dental contract, despite discussions for years.

Question

What they and I cannot understand is why it will take until the end of this Parliament, as the Minister told us just a little while ago, and not sooner, to sort out that big problem and turbocharge NHS dentistry in rural North Dorset?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We are engaging intensively with the BDA. The interim reforms will kick in from April, but we look to put long-term reforms in place from 2027 onwards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate actions or quicker timeline for reform

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Q13 John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales
NHS
Context

The MP highlighted the closure of a local NHS clinic serving the community and the impact on vulnerable residents and services in Brailsford.

Question

Will the Minister consider reopening that health centre? What steps is the Department taking to ensure that more people in Hulland Ward can access healthcare close to where they live?

Answer from The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)

It is a matter for the commissioning officer at the local ICB. The hon. Friend should keep talking with them about the best provision for his constituents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Departmental action or commitment to reopening centre

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Q14 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Context

The MP mentioned the rejection of a new pharmacy by the Hampshire ICB despite local support and demand.

Question

Does the Minister share my disappointment that local people are not going to be served in the correct way by pharmacy provision, and will he meet me to discuss this?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

That does sound baffling given there is demand for the service. I would be happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss the details further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate action or support for pharmacy opening

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Q15 Emma Foody Labour (Co-op) Cramlington and Killingworth
NHS
Context

Local residents have been unable to access NHS dental services after a dentist moved to private practice. This situation raises concerns about the availability of local healthcare.

Question

A number of local residents have been in touch recently following the announcement that a Cramlington dentist will no longer be offering NHS services and is moving to private practice only, which has led to a number of people being unable to access services locally. What more can the Government do to ensure that my constituents have access to appropriate local services?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point out this issue. As I have said, the reforms that we announced in December will make a major difference, because dentists have not been incentivised to do NHS dentistry. That requires us to significantly increase the UDA, as we are doing, but there is a range of other measures that we need to take. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the specific details of that case.

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Q16 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
NHS
Context

Failed private finance initiative schemes from the early 2000s in Leicester hospitals led to costly legal disputes without providing any new buildings for the NHS. The questioner asks about future financial arrangements for NHS infrastructure.

Question

Failed private finance initiative schemes from the noughties in three Leicester hospitals resulted in the NHS being sued for almost £30 million, despite no work being carried out. Leicester hospitals are still without any new buildings. I ask the Minister that expensive, inefficient financial packages—£60 billion of private money costing £306 billion of taxpayers’ money—not be utilised for future projects.

Answer from Wes Streeting

This Government are putting record levels of capital investment into the NHS to correct more than 14 years of Conservative failure. We are using public investment. We are certainly learning the lessons of the past in relation to PFI. We are able to do that only because people voted Labour and elected a Labour Government. I look forward to working with the city’s Labour MPs to deliver the improvements in services that it deserves.

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Q17 Tracy Gilbert Lab Edinburgh North and Leith
NHS
Context

The upcoming PATHWAYS trial has raised concerns among some stakeholders. The questioner asks whether the Secretary of State would consider using his powers to increase evidence by conducting a retrospective data linkage study.

Question

I and a number of colleagues have concerns about the upcoming PATHWAYS trial. The Secretary of State has powers to use existing medical records for research purposes. Will he therefore consider using those powers to increase the evidence base and prevent the PATHWAYS trial from proceeding?

Answer from Karin Smyth

I thank my hon. Friend for her constructive approach to this difficult issue. She is right to challenge; we must have open and transparent debate. To be very clear—and to refer to my previous answer—the Secretary of State will use that power. We will have a retrospective data linkage study to identify the associations informing patient experience and outcomes, through the analysis of available digital information in health records and other nationally held databases. It will not establish causation but will be an important contribution to the evidence base.

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Q18 Alex McIntyre Lab Gloucester
NHS Science & Technology
Context

The MP visited Hadwen Health, a local GP service in Gloucester. The team is using technology to better serve patients but faces issues with current technological solutions not allowing for triaging and directing patients to their preferred family doctor when booking online.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to support the roll-out of technology in GP surgeries like Hadwen Health in Gloucester?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

I am a little bit surprised; I think that technology does exist. I have visited a couple of GP practices where the online booking system gives the patient the option to specify the doctor that she or he would like to see. I would be happy to connect my hon. Friend with relevant officials in the Department, so that they can connect with the GP surgery to resolve that issue.

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Q19 Andrew Lewin Lab Welwyn Hatfield
NHS
Context

Data from NHS Providers shows that the East and North Hertfordshire NHS trust has seen a significant reduction in patients awaiting treatment, falling more than any other trust in the country.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend commend all the staff involved in this success, and does he agree that this is precisely what people voted for when they voted for change in the NHS?

Answer from Wes Streeting

Of course, I endorse what my hon. Friend said. Waiting lists are falling for the first time in 15 years. Lots done, and so much more to do, but with Labour, the NHS is on the road to recovery.

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Q20 Zöe Franklin Lib Dem Guildford
NHS
Context

The local GP surgery in Bellfields and Slyfield ward is currently operating from a small space within a commercial property, despite the growing needs of the community. The service provides excellent care but faces physical constraints.

Question

Will the Minister set out the steps the Department is taking to support community health hubs in areas like this ward, in order to bring GP and wider services together locally and improve facilities and access for my residents?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We have the £102 million primary care estate fund, which can help with refurbishments and improving the functionality of primary care, particularly GP surgeries. If the hon. Member writes to me about the specifics of that case, I am sure that the relevant officials can give her the answer she needs.

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Q21 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
NHS
Context

The MP is highlighting the ongoing issue of compensation for families affected by the use of valproate, a drug linked to severe birth defects and developmental disabilities.

Question

When will my constituents Colleen and Andy get the redress they need, so that they can make long-term provision for their son?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The hon. Member is quite right to hold the Government’s feet to the fire on this issue. We are having cross-Government discussions about this issue and other groups of victims of state failure. We will keep him and the House updated.

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Q22 Sonia Kumar Lab Dudley
Mental Health
Context

A constituent of the MP has autism and complex mental health needs, is at risk of self-harm, and cannot use a telephone. The individual's support was reduced because they were deemed non-compliant with using this method of communication.

Question

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that mental health services offer alternative ways to communicate for those who cannot use a telephone?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

We are recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers by the end of this Parliament. The Mental Health Act 2025 reforms will ensure that people with a learning disability, autistic people and people with the most severe mental health conditions have greater choice and control over their treatment and receive the dignity and respect they deserve.

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Q23 Blake Stephenson Con Mid Bedfordshire
NHS
Context

The MP's constituents are being directed to hospital for regular blood tests, instead of having them performed at their GP surgery.

Question

Will the Secretary of State outline how he will ensure that blood tests are done in a community setting, which surely must be much better value for the taxpayer and much more convenient for patients?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The hon. Member is absolutely right, and that is why a big part of our modernisation approach is to shift care out of hospital and into the community, making greater use of community diagnostic centres, community pharmacies and GPs. As his question shows, 18 months in, lots done, but a lot more still to do.

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