MP Charlotte Leslie says damning NHS reports 'suppressed'
BRISTOL MP Charlotte Leslie has called for an investigation into allegations that three reports on the state of the NHS were "suppressed" by the previous government.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, the Bristol North West MP said in 2008 Labour had commissioned three reports to mark the health service's 60th birthday.
-
Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie says reports into the health service were suppressed
She added: "We now know those reports were damning and raised issues such as there being a dangerous target culture.
"We also know those reports were suppressed by the Labour Government. Had they not been suppressed, thousands of lives could possibly have been saved.
Looking to save a small fortune on your flat roof?
Claim this voucher today and give one of our adviser's a call on:
0800 644 6323
Terms: Terms & Conditions Apply.
Contact: 0800 6446323
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
"Will the Prime Minister join me in calling for an investigation into who was responsible for suppressing those reports?"
David Cameron said he would "look carefully" at the issue she raised.
He added: "The whole point about the Francis report [into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust] is that we should use this as an opportunity to say, 'Yes, of course we support the NHS and its founding principles, but not everything in the NHS is right'.
"Where there is bad practice and where things are going wrong, we need to shine a very bright light on it and make sure not only that we deal with it but that we hold people to account."
Ms Leslie's call came after she tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling on NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson to resign for presiding over a "diabolical catastrophe" at Stafford Hospital.
The motion said Sir David ought to "face appropriate consequences" for the scandal in which up to 1,200 patients died needlessly.
The resignation demand is at odds with the Prime Minister, who recently repeated that Sir David had his full backing and was "doing a very good job".
But Ms Leslie's motion notes "great concern" with the findings of the Francis Report, particularly the "avoidable" deaths.
It also calls "for Sir David Nicholson to resign… given his previous role as chief executive of West Midlands Strategic Health Authority, which had overall responsibility for Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust during the period investigated in the Francis Inquiry".
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore, pictured, who will question Sir David at the Health Select Committee next month, said what happened at Mid Staffs was "comparable to Hillsborough". He added: "If I was in his position, I would go."
5 Comments
by C_Freak
Saturday, March 02 2013, 8:18PM
“What's wrong with the health system is some of they what works in it. . It don't matter who owns it as long as theym nice people and kind.”
by Geordiegraham
Saturday, March 02 2013, 5:47PM
“Will this MP come out firmly against privatising the NHS?”
by robert1bobby
Saturday, March 02 2013, 5:46PM
“going by most council elections, we get what we dont want, we are offered candidates who are less than useless, who never live in our area and never get seen again until the next election.”
by djmbristol
Saturday, March 02 2013, 2:34PM
“there is a election coming soon then we can all vote for change (again)......yay!!”
by robert1bobby
Saturday, March 02 2013, 1:29PM
“WHY was this not flagged up ears ago, why has it taken so long for this to be public????”