"Keeping It In The County" is discussed at Prime Minister's Question Time
2 February 2011
At Prime Minister's Question Time on 2 February, the Prime Minister confirmed that decisions on changes to local health services must be based on the four tests set out by Secretary of State for Health. More information about the four tests is available from the Policy and Guidance page.
Transcript from Hansard
Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham, Conservative) The local NHS trust in Shropshire is proposing major reconfiguration changes to services throughout the county, including maternity and paediatric services. Those are causing significant concerns for local Shrewsbury doctors, GPs and patient groups. Can the Prime Minister give an assurance that those concerns will be taken on board and acted upon before any changes are made? My hon. Friend Glyn Davies, whose constituents also use the Royal Shrewsbury hospital, shares my views.
David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative) I can certainly given that assurance, because my right hon. Friend the Health Secretary has put in place much stronger arrangements for making sure that local people are listened to when these discussions are taking place. No changes will be allowed unless they focus on improving patient outcomes, unless they consider patient choice and unless they have the support of the GP commissioners, and remember that in the future health system it will be the decisions of GPs and people that will drive the provision of health services, not top-down decisions made by Ministers in Whitehall.