Local MP Robert Largan has called on Health Minister Jo Churchill MP to update Parliament on the Government’s plans for essential health services in High Peak and across the country.
The High Peak MP raised the issue of GP services, asking the Minister what steps her department is taking to support the full restoration of GP services as part of the covid-19 recovery.
The Health Minister provided an update on the Government’s plans to help GP services to recover from the pandemic:
“General practice has remained open throughout the pandemic, offering face-to-face appointments as well as telephone and online consultations, while playing a leading role in our vaccination programme. We are enormously grateful to general practices, the GPs and their broader teams for everything that they have done, but to ensure that general practice can continue to provide all necessary and appropriate care during this very busy time, we have made an additional £270 million available until September.”
Robert Largan MP went on to request further information on the status of proposals for a new GP data system:
“If it is done right, we can use technology and data to improve healthcare services, improve patient outcomes and help to save lives, so I welcome the proposals for a new GP data system, but it is vital that we get this right with the appropriate protections in place. With that in mind, will the Minister update the House on these vital reforms?”
The Health Minister agreed with Mr Largan and assured the House:
“I could not agree more. Data saves lives —it is as simple as that. We have seen that in the pandemic, and it is one of the lessons of the vaccine roll-out. The GP data programme will strengthen the system and save lives. Patient data is, of course, owned by the patient. We are absolutely determined to take people with us on this journey. We have therefore decided that we will proceed with the important programme, but we will take some extra time, as we have conversed with stakeholders over the past couple of days. The implementation date will now be 1 September. We will use this time to talk to patients, doctors, health charities and others to strengthen the plan, build a trusted research environment and ensure that data is accessed securely. This agenda is so important, because we all know that data saves lives.”
Robert Largan MP commented:
“As we recover from the pandemic, it is really important that we get local health services back up and running to help address the patient backlog and waiting times.
“We also have to make sure local health services are improved and better equipped to save lives and tackle the crises of the future.
“It is welcome that ministers will keep listening to patients and NHS staff, building trust and helping High Peak’s health services to build back better.”
