Contributions
3,496 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsI think my hon. Friend has just made his heartfelt plea and it has certainly landed with me, but I am not surprised because he has made this case to me on behalf of his…23 Feb 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsYesterday, the Government published the road map that will put us cautiously but, we hope, irreversibly on the path towards reclaiming our freedoms once more. We are able to take…23 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareI pay tribute to my predecessor’s work setting up integrated care systems in the first place. In a way, this legislation builds on the foundations that he laid when he was in my…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareI very much hope to get the hon. Gentleman on side and supporting these reforms, not least because many of them were in not just the Conservative party manifesto, but the Labour…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareI will take that as cautious support. I know that the hon. Gentleman sometimes has to say these things, but I am very glad that he leaves the door open for yet more enthusiastic…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareYes. We care about technology in the NHS because we care about people and the improvements to people’s lives that it can generate. Surgical robots are just one example. I am very…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareThe NHS is not privatised at all. The NHS is delivered free at the point of care, or free at the point of use, according to need, not ability to pay. Of course, the NHS buys all…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareYes. The changes in Greater Manchester, in which the hon. Gentleman had an important role, are a good example of where we can drive this sort of integration. I can confirm that…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareMr Speaker, I come to the House today to set out our White Paper on the future of health and care. The past year has been the most challenging in the NHS’s proud 72-year history.…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareYes, these are very important measures and I am glad that they have my hon. Friend’s support, not least because of his extensive knowledge as a practising GP who has done so much…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareI gently say that I disagree entirely with the hon. Lady’s pessimism about the ability of improvements in the health service to assist in the closing of health inequalities and…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareI do not understand the logic of the hon. Lady’s question. I have not seen the sorts of concerns that she raises about integrated care systems, which, in the UK, have provided the…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareThe White Paper takes forward parts of those proposals relating to the integration between health and social care, and ensuring that it is those on the ground delivering health…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareYes, absolutely. Stepping Hill Hospital is obviously vital to my hon. Friend’s constituents. The urgent care centres are important too, especially in ensuring that people can have…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareI do. Tackling health inequalities is incredibly important and is a vital part of our levelling-up agenda. The hon. Gentleman is right to point out the gaps in life expectancy…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareYes, absolutely. It is important that, while the NHS continues to evolve and must evolve, it is there to serve our constituents. For a reform to take place, it needs to make the…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareI very much hope so. This is about being able to deliver services according to local need and, crucially, not just looking at the patients who turn up—whether that is to an…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareImproving the accountability of ICSs is absolutely at the heart of the White Paper. I set out the three sections, and one of them is accountability to ensure that as ICSs get…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareThe irony is that the proposed changes that the hon. Gentleman was concerned about, which were halted, were ones that it is currently legally impossible for a Minister to stop…11 Feb 2021HANSARDFuture of Health and CareThat is the goal, exactly as my hon. Friend sets out. In particular, I am glad that she raised data sharing as part of the integration. It is critical that we have high-quality…11 Feb 2021