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Healthcare Provision: East of England

03 September 2024

Lead MP

Clive Lewis
Norwich South
Lab

Responding Minister

Karin Smyth

Tags

NHSSocial CareClimate
Word Count: 13581
Other Contributors: 13

At a Glance

Clive Lewis raised concerns about healthcare provision: east of england in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

The hon. Member asks the Minister how healthcare outcomes will be improved while implementing previous Government cuts. He also queries whether there is news on the implementation of a cap on care costs and what plans exist for prevention-focused healthcare provision. Lastly, he inquires about simplifying NHS structures and establishing an undergraduate dental school to address dentist shortages.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Norwich South
Opened the debate
The hon. Member is concerned about the systemic crisis in healthcare provision in the eastern region, including long ambulance waiting times, high rates of mental health referrals and poor dental care. He highlights that areas like Norwich have one dentist per 2,600 people and are experiencing a significant backlog in social care assessments. The MP also points out that climate change exacerbates health issues due to flooding and its aftermath.

Government Response

Karin Smyth
Government Response
The Minister responded to various concerns regarding healthcare provision in the East of England, including NHS health checks that prevent heart attacks and strokes but have low take-up. She mentioned plans for digital health checks and improvements in access to dentists with a goal to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments. The Minister also addressed mental health services, hospital building safety issues, climate change impacts on health service provision, and productivity concerns. She stressed the need for structural stability rather than further reorganisation.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy

About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.