Urgent and Emergency Care

In the House of Commons, Labour MP Uma Kumaran of Stratford and Bow asked the Minister for Secondary Care, Karin Smyth, about the effectiveness of NHS urgent and emergency care services. Kumaran highlighted the challenges faced by the Barts Health NHS Trust in her constituency, where overcrowding and capacity constraints have led to patients being treated in hospital corridors. She asked the Minister to look into the capacity issues at these hospitals and explore how community pharmacy prescribing services could help alleviate the pressures. In response, the Minister acknowledged the unacceptable patient experiences and the need to rebuild the "broken front door to the NHS." She stated that the government is committed to restoring standards and fixing the broken NHS, and that Professor Lord Darzi will lead an investigation into NHS performance to inform a 10-year reform plan. Conservative MP Priti Patel of Witham welcomed the new Front-Bench Members and noted some improvements in emergency care services in Essex, particularly in the ambulance trust. She asked the Minister to meet with her and the Member for Maldon to discuss ways to safeguard community services at St Peter's Hospital in Maldon. Labour MP Shaun Davies of Telford raised concerns about the loss of a fully functioning A&E in Telford, the largest town without one, under the previous Conservative government. He requested a meeting with the Health team to discuss this decision. Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George of St Ives expressed concerns about the closure of the urgent treatment centre at the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, which has put pressure on the only emergency department in Cornwall at Treliske. He asked the Minister to meet with him and local colleagues to discuss the issue and how to restore emergency services. The Minister acknowledged the damage done over the last 14 years and the need for a 10-year plan to address these challenges. She expressed her willingness to meet with colleagues across Cornwall and other affected areas to discuss the issues and potential solutions.