Commons holds general debate on the NHS Ten Year Plan
19 February 2019 (updated on 19 February 2019)
MPs in the House of Commons took part in a general debate on the NHS Ten Year Plan.
This debate follows last month's announcement on the NHS Ten Year Plan, which is the Government's long-term plan for the National Health Service.
The debate was opened by the Minister for Health, Stephen Hammond who said:
"In January this year, the NHS published the long-term plan, which sets out the priorities for the next 10 years of the service. The additional funding has given the NHS the stability and certainty it needs to make that plan for the decade ahead. The plan represents a historic moment for patients across the country. It was developed by NHS leaders and clinicians, in consultation with patients and the public, and Members can be assured that it focuses on the biggest priorities for patients in the next decade."
Shadow Health Secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, responded on behalf of the Opposition. He said:
"...4.3 million people are on waiting lists and 2,237 people are waiting more than 12 months for treatment, more than 2.9 million people waited more than four hours in an accident and emergency department, and nearly 27,000 people wait two months for cancer treatment. The 18-week referral to treatment target has not been met since February 2016, the cancer target has not been met since December 2015, the diagnostic target has not been met since November 2013, and the A&E target has not been met since July 2015. Those targets are all enshrined in the NHS constitution and in statute, and they were routinely delivered under the last Labour Government. Under this Government, they have, in effect, been abandoned."
- Watch Parliament TV: General debate on the NHS Ten Year Plan
- Read Commons Hansard: General debate on the NHS Ten Year Plan
- Read the NHS Ten Year Plan (external site)
- Read Commons news: Matt Hancock outlines new prevention-focused NHS long-term plan
- Read the House of Commons Library briefing paper for the general debate
What is a general debate?
General debates give MPs an opportunity to discuss a topic - chosen by the Government - in the Chamber of the House of Commons. Members take it in turns to speak and there are rules and conventions that are followed.
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