Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Hospital Provision: Tees Valley

28 March 2023 · 4 other contributors · 3,483 words

Opened by Jill Mortimer Con Hartlepool

Responding minister: Will Quince

NHS

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jill Mortimer raised concerns about hospital provision: tees valley in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The University Hospital of Hartlepool is underutilised and requires investment to meet future needs over the next decade.
  • Significant elective surgical procedures are being performed in the private sector due to resource shortages in NHS trusts.
  • The Minister was asked to meet Julie Gillon and Jill Mortimer to discuss further improvements for the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

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.

Opened the debate

Jill Mortimer Con Hartlepool

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.

Other contributors (4)
  • 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.

  • Peter Gibson

    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

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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