Clause 1 - NHS foundation trusts
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill
10:45 am
Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire, Conservative)
I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman's point that the area served by any individual NHS trust is very wide. That is precisely the point that we are discussing. The hon. Member for Cardiff, Central talked about the amendment in terms of the geographical area that is to be served by hospitals. As a specialist hospital, Papworth Hospital NHS trust serves patients from throughout the country. Tertiary hospitals are not located in London only. More heart transplants are done at Papworth hospital than in any other cardiothoracic institute in the country. I take the point that it has a wider range and I hope that we will bring those experiences to bear. However, as the Member of Parliament in whose constituency the Addenbrooke's and Papworth hospitals are situated, I regard myself as having a special responsibility towards them.