Chloe Smith speaks again in Commons about Norfolk Norwich Hospital

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, today again questioned the Secretary of State for Health in Parliamentary Questions about winter pressures on hospitals. She spoke in the Commons last week after a number of major incidents at regional hospitals including the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.   Today Chloe again highlighted that medical staff in Norwich say that service is safe, and pressed for the hospital to work together with social care to help people leave hospital.   Chloe gained figures to show that the N&N has received £6m of winter pressures funding from government, in two tranches, planned in advance since June last year. This has provided for an extra consultant, 16-17 more nurses and 12-13 other clinical staff in addition, as well as 10 step-up / step-down beds.   That funding is being planned by System Resilience Group, who have helped the NHS plan for winter for the last two years in each area in England, and include representation from local authorities to ensure a joined-up approach. Chloe pressed today for good planning in conjunction between health and social care to help people leave hospital.   The Health Secretary in answer praised the NNUH which he said had “made some good progress”.   Chloe has set out her support for the NHS in Norwich, with six priorities:  

1. Support the hospital and local trusts which are under improvement
2. Keep the Walk In Centre central
3. Work with the N&N to support services for patients throughout the winter, and help our ambulance service improve
4. Make sure that everyone can see a GP when they need one—seven days a week and including evenings
5. Improve local mental health services, so that there is equal treatment for people with mental and physical health problems
6. Protect our NHS for the long term with a strong economy, discipline on public spending and ring-fenced NHS budget

  Chloe commented:   “There is unprecedented demand on the NHS including from our ageing population in Norfolk, and those elderly people need good, joined-up care.   “The government has made a record £700 million available, and planned earlier than ever, to help ease pressures this winter. £6m for Norwich is welcome and I want it to be used wisely to include both health and links to social care.   “Our long-term economic plan means that my vote in Parliament has gone on protecting and increasing the NHS budget to help deliver a strong NHS.   “This means we can afford to have almost 1,200 more A&E doctors including 400 more A&E consultants than in 2010. At the N&N there are now 340 more clinical staff than four years ago.   “I want Norwich people to be sure that whenever they need help – however serious, day or night – the NHS will be there for them. The NHS in Norwich should have support from all of us, based on a strong economy.”