§ 5. Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton, North)When he intends to issue consultation proposals to the NHS on commissioning specialist services. [38675]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for HealthThe consultation proposals on commissioning specialist services were published on 8 April and issued to the national health service and to relevant professional and voluntary organisations. Copies are available in the Library. The document may also be viewed on the internet, on the NHS web page. Responses are requested by 1 June.
§ Ms KeebleI welcome the statement. I am sure that the consultation can lead to substantial improvements in the quality of life in care for people with difficult conditions. Will the consultation also cover services that are needed by people with multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease, who have very complex care needs, ranging from community to specialist, over a period? In my constituency, those needs are extremely well met at Favell house, which provides that seamless care from community to specialist medical treatment.
§ Mr. BoatengThe consultation is designed to cover precisely that sort of complex condition. MS is one of those conditions that is well served by the voluntary and charitable sector, which will no doubt respond to the consultation. We look forward to hearing what it has to say.
§ Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire)Royal Shrewsbury hospital provides world-renowned specialist services. There is a proposal for its amalgamation with the nearby Princess Royal hospital in Telford. Will the Minister guarantee that he will consult locally to ensure that those specialist services stay in Shrewsbury?
§ Mr. BoatengThe hon. Gentleman has been in the House long enough to know that consultation is very much a part of any proposal. Consultation will no doubt take place in the usual way, and, if it comes to Ministers, he will have an opportunity to make his views known.
§ Rev. Martin Smyth (Belfast, South)Bearing in mind the fact that there is growing emphasis on devolution throughout the nation and that, at the same time, more specialist skills are needed for technical work in the health service, will the Minister give an undertaking that specialist services that serve the whole nation will be available?
§ Mr. BoatengWe work closely with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office, and the hon. Gentleman can be sure that what we propose in this instance will apply throughout the nation. Of course that will include Northern Ireland.