Farnham and Bordon MP and member of the Commons' Health and Social Care Select Committee, Gregory Stafford, today challenged Health Minister James Murray MP on four key areas where the Labour Government is failing patients.
Gregory first pressed the Minister on the long-delayed NHS Workforce Plan, asking when it would finally be published given its vital importance in setting out the future of the National Health Service. Mr Murray was unable to provide a publication date and could not even confirm whether the plan would be released within the next week.
He then turned to what Patient Safety Commissioner Dr Henrietta Hughes has described as "a far bigger scandal than thalidomide" - the devastating impact of sodium valproate when taken during pregnancy, which has left thousands of children living with lifelong disabilities. Gregory highlighted that it has now been two years since the publication of the Hughes Report, yet the Government has still failed to deliver meaningful action. Once again, the Minister failed to provide a clear answer.
Following Gregory's own nationwide call for evidence on NHS waiting lists, he also sought assurances over the due diligence being undertaken before patients are deleted from waiting lists, pressing Ministers to ensure that people are not being inappropriately deleted from NHS records.
Finally, Gregory raised the issue of support for people seeking to 'detransition', highlighting the case of a young adult who had undergone surgery but is now 'detransitioning'. He argued that the NHS must provide clearer pathways and better communication to support those navigating detransition. In response, Mr Murray committed to writing with further details on the Government's approach.
Gregory remains clear about his concerns about the Government's inability to provide clear answers on several of the issues raised.
