Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 17 October 2007 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: The Prime Minister—[Interruption.] The Prime Minister came to office saying—[Interruption.] It comes to something when you have to tick off the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister said that he would listen to people, but he is not listening to those working in the NHS. The Healthcare Commission quotes one senior manager saying that"““if anyone says the top priorities aren't money and targets, they are lying””." The nurse of the year, who resigned today, says that she is leaving because of bureaucracy, reorganisation and paperwork. MRSA deaths have quadrupled. C. difficile deaths have trebled. If we are going to deal with hospital-acquired infections, does not the Prime Minister understand that he has got to listen to the people who work in the NHS?

Answer: It is precisely because I have been listening to the British people that we have put an extra £100 million into tackling MRSA and C. difficile. It is precisely because we are listening that since I took over this job we are now insisting that every patient who comes to hospital will be screened against the possibility of MRSA. It is precisely because we are listening that we are going to do a deep clean of hospital wards. It is precisely because I am listening that we are going to double the number of matrons. None of that extra expenditure would be possible if we accepted the Conservative party's plans on spending. It has a £6 billion black hole in its spending plans, which would mean deep cuts in the national health service. The Leader of the Opposition should listen to the experts on this matter, who are saying that targets are not to blame. We need investment and reform in the health service, and only we on this side of the House can do it.

Secondary information