New Health Centre: Maghull

Bill Esterson, the Labour MP for Sefton Central, asked the Minister for Secondary Care, Karin Smyth, whether the Department plans to provide capital funding for a new health centre in Maghull, within his constituency. In response, Karin Smyth acknowledged Esterson's re-election and stated that capital allocations are the responsibility of the integrated care boards. She expressed the government's commitment to introducing neighbourhood care centres to bring together vital care services, and looked forward to working with Esterson on Labour's mission to improve the local NHS. Esterson followed up by noting that his predecessors, the previous Health Secretaries, had all agreed that a health centre in Maghull was a priority for the health service. However, he stated that the allocation of capital by integrated care boards has meant that the priority has been acute hospitals, sometimes at the expense of community facilities. Esterson asked the Minister to meet with him to discuss the importance of investment in health centres such as the one in Maghull, which can make a significant difference in reducing waiting times and improving patient outcomes. Karin Smyth responded positively, stating that Esterson was the first to raise this issue and had shown his commitment to improving primary care for his constituents. She acknowledged that the existing primary care estate is under a great deal of pressure, and that building a neighbourhood health service remains a key priority in the government's mission to rebuild the NHS. Smyth expressed her willingness to meet with Esterson to discuss this topic further.