HC Deb 21 December 1999 vol 341 cc651-2
3. Mr. Eric Illsley (Barnsley, Central)

What representations he has received regarding the possible loss of accreditation by the royal colleges of Barnsley district general hospital. [102263]

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. John Hutton)

None; any such representations are made to the Specialist Training Authority, which is responsible for the supervision of specialist training in hospital practice in the United Kingdom. No such representations have been received by the Specialist Training Authority on Barnsley district general hospital.

Mr. Illsley

Is my hon. Friend aware that the health problems that we already have in Barnsley are likely to be exacerbated if the royal colleges withdraw accreditation for consultant posts at hospitals serving fewer than 500,000 people? Does he agree that the people of Barnsley should not be required to travel long distances, to other towns and cities, simply to see a consultant? Is there any action that he could take to intervene in the matter, to ensure that a full national health service is still available to the people of Barnsley?

Mr. Hutton

I can reassure my hon. Friend on all of those points. The Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), has just made it clear that we are committed to a comprehensive national health service that is available to all constituents in all parts of the country and provides a first-class service. That is unlike the Conservative party, which sees the future of the NHS as a second-line service for those who cannot afford to take out private health insurance.

In relation to my hon. Friend's specific point about the report from the royal colleges, that was just one contribution to an important continuing debate. He will be aware that any proposal to change or reconfigure national heath services in any part of the country is subject to a full and proper system of public consultation. If local community health councils seek to object to any of the proposals, the decisions will be made by Ministers.

I am sure that my hon. Friend, on behalf of his constituents, will welcome the nearly £12 million of additional funding for Barnsley health authority which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced today—an increase of nearly 8 per cent.