Adjournment debate on healthcare in Sutton.

Adjournment debate on healthcare in Sutton.

Could the Minister confirm on the record that he would expect accessibility of mental health services to be just as important as accessibility of other health services? The whole proposal, ““Better Healthcare Closer to Home””, is about making general health services more readily accessible to local people, and that must...

Could the Minister confirm on the record that he would expect accessibility of mental health services to be just as important as accessibility of other health services? The whole proposal, ““Better Healthcare Closer to Home””, is about making general health services more readily accessible to local people, and that must...

The hon. Gentleman is right that any organisation of services has to take access into account, and national guidelines will be laid down to ensure that that happens. However, the decision as to how best that is done on the ground is taken by the local health service. If there...

The hon. Gentleman is right that any organisation of services has to take access into account, and national guidelines will be laid down to ensure that that happens. However, the decision as to how best that is done on the ground is taken by the local health service. If there...

St. Helier hospital.

St. Helier hospital.

I beg the hon. Gentleman's pardon. I am sure that he will encourage his constituent to make a formal complaint, if they have not already done so. We have an independent, robust complaints system in place, and it is important that Members of Parliament encourage constituents who have such cases...

I beg the hon. Gentleman's pardon. I am sure that he will encourage his constituent to make a formal complaint, if they have not already done so. We have an independent, robust complaints system in place, and it is important that Members of Parliament encourage constituents who have such cases...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. He encourages me to stray slightly beyond the borders of the London borough of Sutton, which I am loth to do. I am sure his constituents have noted his intervention in the debate and the significant points he has made on their...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. He encourages me to stray slightly beyond the borders of the London borough of Sutton, which I am loth to do. I am sure his constituents have noted his intervention in the debate and the significant points he has made on their...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on securing the debate. I appreciate the comments that he and the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) have made. I begin by paying tribute to the NHS staff in and around Sutton for their hard work...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on securing the debate. I appreciate the comments that he and the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) have made. I begin by paying tribute to the NHS staff in and around Sutton for their hard work...

I take that point, Madam Deputy Speaker. In the context of the pressures, we have to take cognisance of the need for relevant services across south London. Close to the constituency of the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam, and just over the border of Carshalton and Wallington, Purley hospital...

I take that point, Madam Deputy Speaker. In the context of the pressures, we have to take cognisance of the need for relevant services across south London. Close to the constituency of the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam, and just over the border of Carshalton and Wallington, Purley hospital...

First, I apologise to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) for arriving two minutes into his speech. I had anticipated that we would reach this point at 10 o'clock, so I had to hot-foot it in from my constituency to be here in time for...

First, I apologise to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) for arriving two minutes into his speech. I had anticipated that we would reach this point at 10 o'clock, so I had to hot-foot it in from my constituency to be here in time for...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) for letting me get involved in their party, because there are issues in south London that I should like to draw to their attention. There are much the same pressures in Croydon...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) for letting me get involved in their party, because there are issues in south London that I should like to draw to their attention. There are much the same pressures in Croydon...

The hon. Gentleman makes some fair points about the limbo that the health service in the London borough of Sutton has experienced for some time. At long last, however, the local NHS has come up with a plan that has secured the support of the joint overview and scrutiny committee,...

The hon. Gentleman makes some fair points about the limbo that the health service in the London borough of Sutton has experienced for some time. At long last, however, the local NHS has come up with a plan that has secured the support of the joint overview and scrutiny committee,...

A little earlier, when I walked into the Chamber, I was overwhelmed by the pleasure that Members displayed on seeing me. I think that it had something to do with the earliness of the hour and the opportunity they would have to get on with other business on behalf of...

A little earlier, when I walked into the Chamber, I was overwhelmed by the pleasure that Members displayed on seeing me. I think that it had something to do with the earliness of the hour and the opportunity they would have to get on with other business on behalf of...

My hon. Friend may remember that some new investment went into St. Helier hospital—for a new fountain at the entrance.

My hon. Friend may remember that some new investment went into St. Helier hospital—for a new fountain at the entrance.

My hon. Friend is correct: we have seen investment in a much-needed fountain at the front of the hospital. I am sure that it has been uplifting to the spirits of many of our constituents who have passed through its doors, although they would probably have preferred to see investment...

My hon. Friend is correct: we have seen investment in a much-needed fountain at the front of the hospital. I am sure that it has been uplifting to the spirits of many of our constituents who have passed through its doors, although they would probably have preferred to see investment...

Residents in Croydon obviously have a real interest in health care in the constituencies of the hon. Members for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) and for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake), who have been conscientious about raising these issues in the House. Is not the problem that we have seen...

Residents in Croydon obviously have a real interest in health care in the constituencies of the hon. Members for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) and for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake), who have been conscientious about raising these issues in the House. Is not the problem that we have seen...

There is always turnover in the network. Some 10 per cent. of post offices change hands every year. The process is not something to which the Government can put a stop. However, I believe that the access criteria offer some certainty for the future, which will help to ensure reasonable...

There is always turnover in the network. Some 10 per cent. of post offices change hands every year. The process is not something to which the Government can put a stop. However, I believe that the access criteria offer some certainty for the future, which will help to ensure reasonable...

I want to ask the Minister about something that he did not cover in his response. Once the programme is complete and closures have taken place, what safeguards will be put in place to ensure that new gaps do not open up in the network?

I want to ask the Minister about something that he did not cover in his response. Once the programme is complete and closures have taken place, what safeguards will be put in place to ensure that new gaps do not open up in the network?

I thank the Minister for giving way on the subject of the consequences of closures. I hope that he will respond to my question about the extent to which he expects account to be taken of the impact of closures on neighbouring post offices, and particularly on queues.

I thank the Minister for giving way on the subject of the consequences of closures. I hope that he will respond to my question about the extent to which he expects account to be taken of the impact of closures on neighbouring post offices, and particularly on queues.