PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Health and Social Care - 27 April 2026 (Commons/Written Corrections)

The Minister talked about less-than-full-time training, which has obviously had an impact on the number of doctors we need. The Secretary of State said before the general election that if Labour was elected, it would double the number of medical school places. Is that still the Government’s intention?

Yes, that is the Government’s intention. Obviously, we have had some challenges in April around our hope that we could create 1,000 additional places. We have not been able to do that, unfortunately, because of the reckless decision of the BMA to go back out on strike. The absorption of huge capacity, as well as operational issues, has meant that we have not been able to do that.

[Official Report, 22 April 2026; Vol. 784, c. 133WH.]

Written correction submitted by the Minister for Care, the hon. Member for Aberafan Maesteg (Stephen Kinnock):

This Government have never committed to doubling medical school places. Obviously, we have had some challenges in April around our hope that we could create 1,000 additional places. We have not been able to do that, unfortunately, because of the reckless decision of the BMA to go back out on strike. The absorption of huge capacity, as well as operational issues, has meant that we have not been able to do that.

I thank the Minister for that answer, but I believe that it relates to postgraduate training places. I was asking whether it is still the intention to double the number of medical school places?

Sorry; I misunderstood the question. Yes, it is still our intention to double the number of medical school places.

[Official Report, 22 April 2026; Vol. 784, c. 134WH.]

Written correction submitted by the Minister for Care, the hon. Member for Aberafan Maesteg (Stephen Kinnock):

Sorry; I misunderstood the question. This Government have never committed to doubling medical school places.

Maternity Care

The following extract is from Health and Social Care questions on 14 April 2026.

The nation should be grateful for this Secretary of State and for what he is doing for maternal services, yet at Wythenshawe hospital in my constituency, the most recent Care Quality Commission report rated maternity services inadequate for safety. What assurances can the Secretary of State give that the improvements that he has outlined will be felt by mums locally?

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to present those issues and to be honest about the challenges that have been raised in his local trust. I assure him that following an inspection by the CQC, NHS trusts take action to address the recommendations cited in the report. Already, £40 million in funding has been allocated to Wythenshawe hospital to ensure that safety issues are addressed, with work scheduled for completion by 2028.

[Official Report, 14 April 2026; Vol. 783, c. 674.]

Written correction submitted by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the right hon. Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting):

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to present those issues and to be honest about the challenges that have been raised in his local trust. I assure him that following an inspection by the CQC, NHS trusts take action to address the recommendations cited in the report. Already, £21.25 million in funding has been allocated to Wythenshawe hospital between 2023-24 to 2025-26 to ensure that safety issues due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete are addressed, with work scheduled for completion by 2028.