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Hospital Provision: Tees Valley
28 March 2023
Lead MP
Jill Mortimer
Responding Minister
Will Quince
Tags
NHSTaxationEmploymentMental HealthLocal Government
Word Count: 3483
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Jill Mortimer raised concerns about hospital provision: tees valley in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Minister is asked to commit to meeting Julie Gillon and Jill Mortimer to discuss further improvements for the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The University Hospital of Hartlepool is underutilised and in need of investment to address the severe challenges around current estate capacity. The hospital's facilities are not suitable for future needs over the next 10 to 20 years, with a significant volume of elective surgical procedures being performed within the private sector due to resource shortages in NHS trusts. Hartlepool has received significantly lower capital investment compared to neighbouring regions, resulting in poorer health outcomes and higher deprivation levels.
Alex Cunningham
Lab
Stockton North
Grateful to her neighbour for giving way and congratulating the latter on securing the debate. Points out that it was her Government who cancelled a new hospital without a plan for future health delivery 13 years ago. Asks how they might change the Minister's mind and deliver funding for Hartlepool and wider Teesside despite cross-party support. I pay tribute to Julie Gillon, who is leaving after 16 years of dedicated service. The diagnostic centre in Stockton was a result of years of work between the local authority and health trusts. I express concern over the lack of capacity, difficult buildings, and falling structures highlighted by the hon. Member for Hartlepool.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
Suggests Labour's health legacy on Teesside includes a costly PFI deal costing James Cook Hospital £1 million every week, stating that this money would be better spent on doctors and nurses. We are grateful for the £40 million investment in North Tees and James Cook hospitals, but we want grade-A facilities for the dedicated workforce at North Tees. I ask the Minister to ensure that the bid to rebuild and upgrade the hospital receives full attention.
Agrees with Alex Cunningham's championing of Hartlepool hospital. Considers levelling up health inequalities in the north-east a key part of their mission to level up, pointing out that there is little to show for years of Labour office in costly PFI deals.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
He supports the call for investment in the University Hospital of Hartlepool, noting that a small amount of investment could significantly enhance its capacity to serve the Tees Valley and reduce pressure on other hospitals undergoing renovations.
Government Response
Will Quince
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool on securing this important debate about hospital provision in the Tees Valley and highlight her tireless work on healthcare issues. The Government are prioritising capital spend in the NHS to improve healthcare outcomes and put financing on a sustainable footing with a record capital budget of £36 billion from 2022-23 through to 2024-25. We have committed to building 40 new hospitals backed by an initial £3.7 billion for the first four years, two schemes are already complete and five are currently under construction, engaging with clinical staff to ensure a better working environment. The University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton has submitted an expression of interest to be one of the next eight hospitals included in the new hospital programme. The Government have allocated significant funding for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust including £23.9 million for a community diagnostic centre, £3.9 million for elective recovery, £8.4 million from the community diagnostic fund, £6.5 million for critical infrastructure risk, and £3 million for A&E upgrades. Additionally, the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust has been allocated £3.4 million to improve urgent and emergency care facilities for mental health.
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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.