Agreed to on question.

Agreed to on question.

Let me begin by thanking Mr. Speaker for allowing the debate, and by welcoming the Minister.

Unfortunately, it is an extremely challenging situation for my constituency that brings me here today: the imminent downgrading of the obstetrics and maternity department and the ending of in-patient paediatric services at my local hospital,...

Let me begin by thanking Mr. Speaker for allowing the debate, and by welcoming the Minister.

Unfortunately, it is an extremely challenging situation for my constituency that brings me here today: the imminent downgrading of the obstetrics and maternity department and the ending of in-patient paediatric services at my local hospital,...

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd) on securing this debate. Given that no doubt many people in his constituency will, I hope, read all my speech and all the comments I make, it is very important that I make a number of matters very clear....

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd) on securing this debate. Given that no doubt many people in his constituency will, I hope, read all my speech and all the comments I make, it is very important that I make a number of matters very clear....

Will the Minister give way?

Will the Minister give way?

In one moment, if I may, because the clock is against me and it is really important that I place on the record a proper and full response to my hon. Friend’s speech.

I am told that this is a temporary measure whereby the consultant-led obstetric service, neonatal services, including a...

In one moment, if I may, because the clock is against me and it is really important that I place on the record a proper and full response to my hon. Friend’s speech.

I am told that this is a temporary measure whereby the consultant-led obstetric service, neonatal services, including a...

Will the Minister give way on that particular issue?

Will the Minister give way on that particular issue?

Briefly, yes.

Briefly, yes.

I appreciate that. The Minister will be interested to know that I went to an extraordinary general meeting where the chair said that the measure would be temporary. I got a commitment that it would last for 18 months. I then publicised that and three days later I got a...

I appreciate that. The Minister will be interested to know that I went to an extraordinary general meeting where the chair said that the measure would be temporary. I got a commitment that it would last for 18 months. I then publicised that and three days later I got a...

I get the point, but it is not a question of me supporting or believing in anything. I have been given information and am placing it before the House to ensure that the good people whom my hon. Friend represents have the full picture. It would be a serious allegation...

I get the point, but it is not a question of me supporting or believing in anything. I have been given information and am placing it before the House to ensure that the good people whom my hon. Friend represents have the full picture. It would be a serious allegation...

Will the Minister give way on that point?

Will the Minister give way on that point?

No, I am afraid that I cannot take any more interventions, because I am keen to place the following on the record. The trust’s latest decision has been taken on urgent safety grounds as a temporary solution, and CCGs—clinicians, doctors and nurses—hope to and will find the long-term solution to...

No, I am afraid that I cannot take any more interventions, because I am keen to place the following on the record. The trust’s latest decision has been taken on urgent safety grounds as a temporary solution, and CCGs—clinicians, doctors and nurses—hope to and will find the long-term solution to...

Will the Minister give way?

Will the Minister give way?

No, I only have 10 seconds left. The committee has the power to refer proposals for changes to services to the Secretary of State—

6.33 pm

House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).

No, I only have 10 seconds left. The committee has the power to refer proposals for changes to services to the Secretary of State—

6.33 pm

House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals in England have consultant-delivered children and paediatric services.

[145841]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals in England have consultant-delivered children and paediatric services.

[145841]

With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the future of South London Healthcare NHS Trust.

The NHS exists to provide patients with the highest levels of care and compassion, and it does so in a way that is more equitable than the system in any other...

With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the future of South London Healthcare NHS Trust.

The NHS exists to provide patients with the highest levels of care and compassion, and it does so in a way that is more equitable than the system in any other...

My Lords, I join in the thanks offered to the noble Earl for repeating the Statement. One has the feeling that, for someone so highly respected in this House, his heart was not really in the repetition.

Lewisham hospital is a local hospital which produces excellent local care—and I declare an...

My Lords, I join in the thanks offered to the noble Earl for repeating the Statement. One has the feeling that, for someone so highly respected in this House, his heart was not really in the repetition.

Lewisham hospital is a local hospital which produces excellent local care—and I declare an...

I am very grateful—

I am very grateful—

If the noble Lord will allow, I will just cover the final point made by his noble friend.

Given the need to reassure local patients that the changes will indeed lead to better outcomes for them, my right honourable friend took the decision proactively to publish Sir Bruce Keogh’s letter to...

If the noble Lord will allow, I will just cover the final point made by his noble friend.

Given the need to reassure local patients that the changes will indeed lead to better outcomes for them, my right honourable friend took the decision proactively to publish Sir Bruce Keogh’s letter to...

I am very grateful to the Minister and apologise for intervening inappropriately. On the question of legal advice, notwithstanding the convention, will he agree that it is open to the Government to waive legal privilege in exceptional circumstances and that this might be such a case, since these are clearly...

I am very grateful to the Minister and apologise for intervening inappropriately. On the question of legal advice, notwithstanding the convention, will he agree that it is open to the Government to waive legal privilege in exceptional circumstances and that this might be such a case, since these are clearly...

My advice is that there is no case for waiving that practice. As I said, it is a long-standing principle and indeed the practice of successive Governments that legal advice is given to Ministers in confidence. Therefore I am afraid that I cannot accommodate the noble Lord’s suggestion.

To answer the...

My advice is that there is no case for waiving that practice. As I said, it is a long-standing principle and indeed the practice of successive Governments that legal advice is given to Ministers in confidence. Therefore I am afraid that I cannot accommodate the noble Lord’s suggestion.

To answer the...