A Devon MP has pushed the Government to fully fund a new A&E department for Derriford Hospital. Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, quizzed the Health Secretary for an update on Monday (January 6) – Parliament’s first sitting in the New Year – as a decision is currently expected.
A day after Rebecca’s question, Derriford declared a critical incident citing “high numbers of older patients with respiratory problems exacerbated by the cold weather”. This follows Treliske Hospital’s critical incident on Friday, January 3.
Rebecca Smith MP posed her question to the Health Secretary after his statement at the dispatch box: “What is missing from today’s announcement is any sort of update on the New Hospitals Programme Review, which is vital in my constituency of South West Devon, because Derriford hospital needs its Urgent and Emergency Care Facility to bring down ambulance waiting times before it can even start to tackle its general waiting list issues.
“When will Derriford hospital hear whether it has been successful in the new hospitals programme review?”
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting responded: “I was grateful to staff at Derriford Hospital for showing me at first-hand the Emergency Department pressures when I visited just before Christmas. I have also visited Derriford at the height of summer, when it experiences high pressures.
“There are year-round difficulties at Derriford, and I thank the staff and leadership of the hospital for what they are doing in difficult circumstances. We will come forward shortly with the timetable for the New Hospitals Programme. I expect that it will be published sooner than the Conservatives apologise for their appalling record [sic].”
Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon
Responding to the Health Secretary’s response, Rebecca Smith MP stated: “I am very disappointed that the Health Secretary chose to skirt around my question and resort to petty jibes.
“Since being elected in July, I have campaigned relentlessly to protect Derriford’s new A&E from Labour cuts because I understand its importance to slashing ambulance wait times at Derriford.
“Its future matters to my constituents, underlined by the latest critical incident. The Health Secretary should treat their concerns with the seriousness they deserve and provide an update on the New Hospitals Programme.”
A petition to protect A&E funding at Derriford Hospital was tabled by Rebecca in the House of Commons last October. In a written letter, the Minister of State for Secondary Care Karin Smyth responded that the Government “understands the importance” of the investment and reiterated its commitment to delivering the New Hospital Programme.
It stated that a final decision will be made “in due course”.
Rebecca’s office said in a statement: “The Chancellor threw the future of Derriford’s new Urgent and Emergency Care (A&E) Facility into doubt with the announcement of the New Hospital Programme Review last July.
“Patients across South West Devon and the wider Southwest have been deeply concerned by this move, writing directly to Rebecca.”
PlymouthLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we’ll send the latest breaking news and biggest stories of the day straight to your phone.
To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the PlymouthLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.