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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to reduce waiting times for diagnostic tests at Clacton Hospital.

Jane Ellison

The provision of local health services is a matter for local National Health Service organisations. NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) advises that Clacton Hospital provides some diagnostic testing for the local population, but the variety of tests that can be effectively provided is limited. More specialised diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging or invasive tests such as angiography or endoscopy, have to be carried out at Colchester Hospital. They are not available at Clacton Hospital either because of a lack of physical space for the facilities within the hospital or because it is not clinically appropriate for the tests to be carried out in a community hospital. Clacton Hospital has no clinical theatre space. No emergency medical cover is available should a patient become seriously unwell following an invasive diagnostic test.

The CCG states that demand for diagnostic services is exceptionally high and it is considering how they could be provided within community settings to reduce waiting times. This might include direct access to some tests through general practitioner (GP) referral. This would enable the GP to receive a definitive test result for the patient, before referring on to secondary care where necessary. The CCG believes this would help to reduce waiting times and make access to the service easier for local people.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that more diagnostic tests are carried out at Clacton Hospital.

Jane Ellison

The provision of local health services is a matter for local National Health Service organisations. NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) advises that Clacton Hospital provides some diagnostic testing for the local population, but the variety of tests that can be effectively provided is limited. More specialised diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging or invasive tests such as angiography or endoscopy, have to be carried out at Colchester Hospital. They are not available at Clacton Hospital either because of a lack of physical space for the facilities within the hospital or because it is not clinically appropriate for the tests to be carried out in a community hospital. Clacton Hospital has no clinical theatre space. No emergency medical cover is available should a patient become seriously unwell following an invasive diagnostic test.

The CCG states that demand for diagnostic services is exceptionally high and it is considering how they could be provided within community settings to reduce waiting times. This might include direct access to some tests through general practitioner (GP) referral. This would enable the GP to receive a definitive test result for the patient, before referring on to secondary care where necessary. The CCG believes this would help to reduce waiting times and make access to the service easier for local people.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to increase the number of GPs in North East Essex.

Dr Daniel Poulter

There are now 36,294 full-time equivalent general practitioners (GPs) working and training in the National Health Service, an increase of 1,051 (3.0%) since September 2010 and a commitment to train and retain 5,000 additional GPs by 2020.

NHS England has commissioned a project specifically for the Tendring area to review the current local workforce capacity and options to correct any deficiencies in GP workforce capacity.

NHS England, Health Education England (HEE), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British Medical Association’s (BMA) GP committee are working together nationally to ensure that we have a skilled, trained and motivated workforce in general practice. In January, NHS England announced a further £10 million investment to expand the general practice workforce.

HEE is also working with NHS England, the BMA and RCGP to standardise a funded scheme which allows GPs to return to United Kingdom general practice following a career break. We expect this to be launched nationally at the end of March 2015. 43 doctors have already completed this scheme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to increase the number of practice staff working in GP surgeries in North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group.

Dr Daniel Poulter

There are now 36,294 full-time equivalent general practitioners (GPs) working and training in the National Health Service, an increase of 1,051 (3.0%) since September 2010 and a commitment to train and retain 5,000 additional GPs by 2020.

NHS England is working with the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, and Health Education East Of England to increase the number of practice staff working in GP surgeries across north east Essex.

NHS England is also working with the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the British Medical Association nationally to produce a 10 point action plan to increase the size of the general practice workforce, which this Government has supported with £10 million of funding.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what alternative provision his Department is offering to the users of the Epping Chase Surgery, Clacton for access to primary care in response to that surgery’s closure.

Dr Daniel Poulter

The provision of primary medical services is a matter for NHS England.

NHS England’s Essex Area Team advises that, since February 2014, the Epping Close Surgery has been temporarily relocated on Kennedy Way, Clacton, following a serious water leak at its original premises.

To date, there have been no complaints from patients about the relocation, which has enabled the practice to continue to provide healthcare to patients.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Carswell on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the long-run sustainability of the maternity unit at Clacton Hospital.

Dr Daniel Poulter

Between May 2010 and November 2014, the number of midwives in England rose by 2,231 or 11.1% and the number of midwives in the East of England area rose by 380 or 20.5%.

The provision of local health services is a matter for local National Health Service organisations. NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), in collaboration with Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, undertook a public consultation on the provision of maternity services locally, including the maternity unit at Clacton Hospital, from 15 October to 10 December 2014.

The purpose of the consultation, called Right Start, is to improve upon the good care already provided and deliver services that are safe, clinically effective and provide a good patient experience. An independently chaired panel will meet on 27 February 2015 to receive the consultation analysis report and make a recommendation to the CCG and Trust boards. Whatever outcome is reached, the CCG and Trust aim to ensure women have a choice of where to have their babies.

All NHS service changes should be led by clinicians and be in the best interests of patients, not driven from the top down. The Government has set out strengthened criteria that we expect any significant changes to NHS services to meet. Proposals should demonstrate support from clinical commissioners, strengthened public and patient engagement, clarity on the clinical evidence base and support for patient choice.