NHS Trusts Capital Spending 2021-11-02
2021-11-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about the scrutiny of NHS trusts' capital spending and ensuring value for money.
What steps his Department is taking with the Department of Health and Social Care to help ensure scrutiny of NHS trusts' capital spending. The questioner seeks details on measures taken to prevent overspending and ensure accountability in capital projects.
The government has committed £12 billion of capital funding for investment in and maintenance of the NHS estate, with further funds allocated for diagnostics, technology, hospital upgrades, and new hospitals. The process for selecting eight additional new hospitals is being led by DHSC based on criteria including clinical need.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific scrutiny measures or accountability mechanisms directly.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has a structurally deficient roof, and the questioner argues for its case to be considered for one of the new hospital schemes.
I welcome the funding for the new hospitals programme, highlighting that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn needs rebuilding. Given the need to rebuild the hospital, does my right hon. Friend agree it is better to have a properly funded new hospital rather than an unplanned cost with emergency funding?
Welcomes the passion for improving constituents' lives and commits to funding eight additional hospitals by 2030 based on criteria including clinical need. Encourages engagement in the process but does not comment specifically on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital case.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm agreement or provide specifics for King's Lynn hospital project.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about the escalating costs of a Shropshire plan to build a state-of-the-art critical care unit and the need for value for money in NHS projects.
Thanks the Front Bench team for the Budget that benefited constituents. Questions who is responsible for ensuring value for money in significant capital spend for NHS projects, like the Shropshire plan where costs have escalated from £312 million to £560 million. Requests no more cash allocated until a sum is ringfenced for A&E care in Telford.
Agrees on importance of delivering value for money, a shared responsibility across government. Urges discussion with DHSC about right hospital configuration for Shropshire but does not address accountability or specific fund allocation requests.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify who is responsible for ensuring value for money and did not confirm no more cash will be allocated until A&E care funds are ringfenced.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport has a high maintenance bill, with ambitious plans to rebuild the hospital on a new town centre site.
Pleased that Minister mentioned eight additional hospital rebuilds and highlights the historical importance of Stepping Hill Hospital since 1905. Argues for moving it to a more accessible location in town centre and requests favourable consideration of these plans.
Welcomes case for Stockport health facilities, mentions seriousness with which all proposals are considered. Although not commenting specifically due to lack of detail sighted, offers conversations regarding proposal.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm looking favourably on Stepping Hill Hospital plans or provide specific commitment.
Response accuracy