University Hospital of Hartlepool

Health and Social Care – in the House of Commons at on 28 January 2020.

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Photo of Mike Hill Mike Hill Labour, Hartlepool

What discussions he has had with the Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees clinical commissioning group on the future of services at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Photo of Edward Argar Edward Argar Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no discussions with the CCG on the future of services at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Photo of Mike Hill Mike Hill Labour, Hartlepool

Hartlepool’s hospital is vital to our community, but its future very much depends on consultancy-led services. What reassurances can the Minister give me that consultancy-led services will be returned to that hospital?

Photo of Edward Argar Edward Argar Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I am conscious that both the energetic Mayor Ben Houchen and the hon. Member have campaigned on working to reinstate accident and emergency and maternity services at Hartlepool’s hospital. Although there are currently no plans that I am aware of to change the model of services, and reconfiguration matters are for the CCG, I am happy to meet him and the Mayor to discuss the hospital if that is useful.

Photo of Dehenna Davison Dehenna Davison Conservative, Bishop Auckland

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As another north-east MP concerned about local healthcare, I asked the Prime Minister two weeks ago about retention of the stroke service at Bishop Auckland Hospital. Has the Minister made any progress on that point?

Photo of Edward Argar Edward Argar Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

My hon. Friend is already a doughty champion and spokesperson in this House for her constituents on health matters—indeed, she was just that in yesterday’s Second Reading debate on the NHS Funding Bill. I am pleased to inform her that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already met the chief executive of the NHS and the regional NHS director responsible and discussed this matter with them.

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