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NHS Funding: South-west
11 June 2025
Lead MP
Steve Darling
Torbay
LD
Responding Minister
Karin Smyth
Tags
NHSEmployment
Word Count: 9164
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Steve Darling raised concerns about nhs funding: south-west in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Steve Darling asks for the Minister to address the wave 2 mitigation bids, particularly regarding funding for Torbay Hospital and guidance on ICB mergers in the area.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The NHS funding situation is dire, with a £6.6 billion hole in the hospital programme's budget and significant challenges at Torbay Hospital, including outdated facilities, sewage leaks, and structural issues. The pressures on staff are immense due to these conditions.
Mid Sussex
The Liberal Democrats believe that people deserve better access to care and are introducing plans to invest early in community health services, GPs, pharmacists, and dentists.
St Ives
Discusses funding issues in Cornwall, including a £108 million cost improvement which is seen as a budget cut, and highlights value-for-money projects like the Helston Gateway project.
Ben Maguire
LD
North Cornwall
Appalled at the Chancellor’s spending review, highlighting crumbling hospitals in North Devon and cuts to bus routes affecting cancer patient access to Derriford hospital. Proposed a rural fund for GPs, dentists, and pharmacists.
South Devon
It is much more expensive to provide services in rural areas than in urban areas due to factors such as footfall for pharmacies, which struggles with reaching the national payment threshold.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
The hon. Member discusses the need for efficient use of NHS funding, particularly in underserved regions like the south-west. She questions how efficiencies worth £9 billion will be achieved and expresses concern over the restructuring of ICBs.
West Dorset
NHS Dorset is being asked to cut staff by 50% on top of previous cuts of 30%. The trust has requested £14 million in additional financial support but remains £22 million short of its funding target. There is a pressing need for capital investment in digital infrastructure.
Fred Thomas
Lab
Plymouth Moor View
The hon. Member raises concerns about patient access to ADHD assessments in Plymouth, questioning whether some GPs are blocking access through shared care agreements.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Highlights the pressures on Musgrove Park hospital due to closures, with staff facing extreme conditions. Agrees that NHS staff are crucial.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Supports Steve Darling's initiative and asks about potential savings through administration in the south-west trust area.
Discussed funding allocations for Devon and Cornwall, exceeding regional averages. Mentioned the debt write-off for NHS England in Torbay's constituency.
Lloyd Hatton
Lab
South Dorset
Welcomed the investment of £100 million for rebuilding the emergency department and critical care unit at Dorset County Hospital, emphasizing its importance in driving down waiting lists.
Newton Abbot
Highlights the crisis in GP funding, noting that practices are struggling due to inadequate global sum and quality outcomes framework payments.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
Welcomes comments on ICB mergers, noting unique challenges for Devon and Cornwall. Emphasizes the importance of considering local specifics like rurality and deprivation.
Tiverton and Minehead
Addressed funding shortfalls in GP practices and dental deserts in coastal west Somerset. Emphasized the need to provide locally based training colleges for healthcare professionals.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
The Devon Integrated Care Board is not funding fertility treatment in line with NICE guidelines, limiting women under 40 to only a portion of one cycle rather than the full three recommended cycles. This creates a postcode lottery for patients.
Honiton and Sidmouth
ICB funding formula overemphasises the size of each ICB and the registered population but does not account sufficiently for age-related costs, which vary by region. Asked if the Minister would give way.
Ashley Fox
Con
Bridgwater
Expressed concerns over the difficulty of getting GP appointments and NHS dental care. Suggested that pay increases must come with improved productivity and service quality.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
The Government has recruited 1,700 new GPs and delivered 3.5 million new appointments, reducing waiting lists by over 200,000. Dorset ICB has seen significant improvements with extra urgent dental appointments and a public health grant increase.
Bath
Points out that independent sector providers have capacity but are not being fully utilised, leading to wasted slots for NHS patients.
Government Response
Karin Smyth
The Minister for Secondary Care
Government Response
The Minister acknowledges the importance of addressing challenges in NHS funding and restructuring. She highlights a £29 billion increase in day-to-day health spending and a £2.3 billion real-terms increase in capital spending over the review period, aiming to put the NHS on a sustainable footing. Confirmed additional investment of £889 million and a10-year health plan. Mentioned allocations totalling £448 million in operational capital, £238 million from the constitutional standards recovery fund, and £83 million from the estates safety fund for vital improvements. Highlighted specific amounts such as £7.3 million for Torbay hospital, £10 million for primary care estate improvements, and almost £5 million to help reduce inappropriate out-of-area placements.
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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.