Mike Penning calls on the Government to permit a Commons debate on cuts in maternity services and cuts to acute general hospitals

Speaking during ‘Business of the House’ in the House of Commons yesterday, Mike Penning reiterated his call for a debate on cuts to maternity services and also asked for a debate on cuts to acute general hospitals.

In reply Harriet Harman, Leader of the House, accused Mike Penning of “painting a completely misleading picture”.

Speaking afterwards Mike said:

“The Government are completely in denial about the damage they are doing to our health services locally and Hemel Hempstead hospital in particular.

“Hemel had maternity services and now doesn’t. If that’s not a cut then I don’t know what is!” he added.

“The situation will be compounded when the A&E and other core services close later in the year.”

“To be honest it’s Ms Harman who’s ‘painting a completely misleading picture’. Whenever I tackle the Government about the closure of our hospital she quotes back completely unrelated statistics. Quite simply, the people of Hemel don’t understand why we are losing our hospital.”

FULL TEXT FROM HANSARD

Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con): Last week, the Leader of the House dismissed calls from many right hon. and hon. Members for a debate on the cuts in maternity services. May I reiterate that call, and at the same time ask for a debate on the cuts to acute general hospitals, such as the excellent Hemel Hempstead hospital, which is a modern acute general hospital where all acute services will close in October this year?

Ms Harman: I think the hon. Gentleman is painting a completely misleading picture. I think we recognise that the way we provide services for—

Mike Penning: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: There are no points of order during a business statement.

Ms Harman: I think that the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) has given the House a completely wrong impression about health spending, including in his own constituency. Since 1997, the number of people waiting more than 26 weeks for in-patient treatment in NHS East of England has fallen from 31,000 down to 394. The hon. Gentleman may not be able to remember, because he was not a Member then, but there were real problems in the health service when his party was in government. Of course there has to be discussion at local level about the configuration of services, but we need to take into account the fact that a reconfiguration of services is taking place against a background of increasing investment and improving outcomes. It is fair enough for the hon. Gentleman to champion the views of his constituents, but let us not misrepresent the situation, as he has done. Oh, sorry, that might have been unparliamentary. I should say, “Let him not give the wrong impression”.

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