Speeches by Smyth.

“I am Karin Smyth. I am Minister of State for Secondary Care at the Department of Health and Social Care.”

“It is not a linear thing or a constant thing. Although you can see the volumes, we are a Department—this was put to me the other day on another subject—that is making a lot of announcements. We are wanting to keep abreast. We recognise how important health is to the population and to all our constituents, and that does…”

“Yes. We will get to you by recess, with, as a result of today, any other suggestions that you wish to make—if there are any other observations, we would be very happy to receive those—and any other questions that we haven’t answered, and make sure that we match that volume to supply issue and take on board some of thos…”

“We were looking at each other then. We are absolutely aiming for that target; we are writ large against that, and I will be looking at all those areas, and the areas that I don’t know, to absolutely get through the process. If the volume remains the same—and within some of the things we are putting in place that remain…”

“I think that is right. I think there will be others, though, that come out. We all have our pets, don’t we? That is one of the joys of Parliament. So there will be others that come out that are new, where information perhaps isn’t in the public domain, isn’t as clear, and it is right that Members of Parliament have acc…”

“It is a good example, and I would certainly be conscious of that when we are looking at oversight. I don’t see those directly because it is not my area, but as Tom says, it is about where the gap is. People absolutely need to have that information that is not available somewhere else, so that we don’t lose that in the …”

“Shall I take that last bit first? You are absolutely right to point out your experience. I think it is happening less, as hopefully after nine months in the job one gets a bit better, and people get more used to my own style, and the issues, the change of policy, and so on. As I have said a number of times, we are chan…”

“The Secretary of State, in his April letter, alluded to being very keen on that and to working with the Committee and Parliament on how best to do that. We are very open to suggestions from the Committee afterwards, or to discussing that.”

“My hon. Friend is right to campaign on behalf of her constituents to make sure that more services are delivered in communities. We want to see services brought out of hospital and into local communities. It is up to the ICB to decide how those are commissioned, but we will certainly make sure that, as part of our commi…”

“The hon. Member tempts me slightly on local accountability, on which he has been a strong campaigner. As he knows from meeting me, I agree that it is important that such local bodies respond properly so that where there are expansions of housing, which we want to see, they are supported by local infrastructure. I am ha…”

“Our mission-driven approach to this issue means that we are working with all Departments to deliver an NHS fit for the future. We expect integrated care boards to work closely with their mayors to maximise public health and contribute to the Government’s health and growth missions.”

“To be clear for the shadow Secretary of State, the Secretary of State is continuing to look at all those recommendations and consider how best to respond.”

“The hon. Gentleman is not correct: maternity funding is not ringfenced at the same level—I think that is what he is referring to. It has, however, absolutely been committed to as far as ICB allocations are concerned. Local leaders will decide how best to allocate that money. We will continue to work with Donna Ockenden…”

“We expect all women to be shown the utmost care and respect when receiving maternity and neonatal care. This year’s planning guidance requires integrated care boards and providers to deliver the key actions in this final year of NHS England’s three-year delivery plan. It is clear from listening to the harrowing stories…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight that point, which has been found in all the reviews that have been undertaken. It is completely unacceptable. That is why the Secretary of State has continued to meet families and hear their experiences to ensure that we learn from them, continue to support the implementa…”

“I know the Liberal Democrat spokesperson follows this issue very closely in her own local community. As she knows, we are committed to ensuring that the recommendations of the reviews are fully implemented as part of that three-year plan, but I gently say to her that the Liberal Democrat party has consistently opposed …”

“I am pleased to congratulate the pharmacies that are on the frontline on their hard work, and also to congratulate all those in the Department and elsewhere who ensure that our supply chain is as resilient as possible. I know that this issue concerns many Members and many of our constituents, and we hope to arrange a p…”

“I am absolutely willing to give the hon. Member that commitment, and I know he worked on this programme in his previous role in Northern Ireland. It is delivering results, and we want to see results. We want to take the best to the rest of the NHS, and we absolutely want to work together across the United Kingdom to ma…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right that this is exactly the sort of thing that is being rolled out across the country, and that we are committed to delivering care closer to where his residents live.”

“I am sorry for the experience that my hon. Friend’s constituent has had, and he highlights a really important aspect of the patient journey through the system. I want him and the House to be assured that we are looking at the entire patient journey, both into hospital and between hospitals. We are determined to improve…”