HC Deb 22 January 2002 vol 378 cc742-3
12. Mr. Richard Bacon (South Norfolk)

What discussions he has had with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Highways Agency concerning the provision of an access road for the new Norfolk and Norwich hospital; and if he will make a statement. [26371]

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

My noble Friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath has raised the issue of access to the new Norfolk and Norwich university hospital with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Highways Agency has confirmed that the direct access road from the A47 to the new hospital cannot be approved, on grounds of safety.

The national health service has so far spent more than £4 million on improving road access to the new hospital site, and an additional £1 million has been earmarked for further improvements. Norfolk county council is now urgently considering other options for improving access.

Mr. Bacon

Does the Minister agree, while recognising that he is in no sense to blame, that it is unacceptable to spend £229 million of public money building a major new hospital and then not ensure that high-quality road access is provided as an integral part of the development? Will he use his good offices to apply every possible pressure to those responsible, to ensure that a speedy solution is found to that very important problem?

Mr. Hutton

Yes, I am happy to give the hon. Gentleman that assurance and we are working very hard to ensure that there is a sensible outcome. There is widespread consensus that improved and better access to the hospital site is needed. A taskforce of the four local authorities concerned has been set up. I understand that its first meeting is next week and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, if he is able to attend, would be welcome. If he cannot come, I will ensure that he is kept properly informed of progress.

Mr. Henry Bellingham (North-West Norfolk)

When looking at the road links, will the Minister also look at the A and E department of that hospital, which depends crucially on those road links? Did he see an article in the local newspaper the other day, headed, "Delays at A & E"? It said: Patients were left waiting in a queue of ambulances outside a busy Norfolk casualty department because of a 'bottleneck' in dealing with patients, it emerged yesterday. Is it not a sad reflection on the Government that they cannot even build a brand new hospital and deliver for that hospital a proper, functioning, A and E department?

Mr. Hutton

That is a very disappointing response from the hon. Gentleman. We do not want to stray too far into this territory, but his party had 18 years in which to build a new hospital for Norwich and it never quite managed to do it. We have built a new hospital. Yes, issues still need to be addressed, but my right hon. and hon. Friends and I have yet to hear one word of welcome for the new hospital from the hon. Gentleman.