Name: House of Commons
Uploaded: 2026-10-20T10:33:43+00:00

00:17 - 00:59

Speaker 4

Order. Before we begin, I know the thoughts of the House today will be with Helen Haines, the Member of Parliament for Indi in the Australian House of Representatives, who has critically been injured following an incident outside her electoral office. The safety and security of elected officials is crucial and must remain a focus for us all. My thoughts are with Helen, her family, and our Australian colleagues and friends. On behalf of the House, I have written to the Speaker of Australian House of Representatives, Speaker Milton Dick, to express our sympathies.

Right, order, let us come to questions, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Elsie Blundell.

00:59 - 01:01

Speaker 2

Question number one, Mr. Speaker.

01:01 - 01:26

Speaker 7

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and can I absolutely endorse those comments on behalf of our colleague. Mr. Speaker, I also know that the honorable member and many other colleagues are deeply concerned about the issues at the Northern Care Alliance, and as of June this year, the trust has been placed under the highest level of regional oversight and support from NHS England. It is imperative that rapid movements are made, governance systems are strengthened, and every patient receives the standard of care that they deserve.

01:26 - 01:54

Speaker 10

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituents are very concerned about Northern Care Alliance hospitals. Across the trust, there have been ten serious incidents which were found to be wholly preventable between 2025 and 2026, lengthy delays causing severe harm to patients, and also industrial action. This has culminated in a sustained decline in performance in national rankings when it comes to patient safety. What options therefore are on the table if the trust does not show urgent signs of improvement?

01:54 - 02:24

Speaker 7

Well, she quite rightly on behalf of her constituents highlights the number of issues that have led to this significant regulatory intervention and support. Formal action is available, further action is available to NHS England and the CQC if necessary. We want to make sure now the focus though is on supporting and challenging the trust to make the rapid and sustained improvements that are necessary on those key areas. I know that her and our other colleagues will work closely with the trust. I always encourage MPs to work closely with their trust to make sure that that happens, but other measures will be available if necessary.

02:24 - 02:27

Speaker 1

Thank you, question two.

02:27 - 03:02

Speaker 9

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I also join with your words in support of Helen Haines? Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the horrific cases we've seen in Hull, Leeds, Kent, and elsewhere, the government has announced we will bring forward comprehensive proposals to ensure respect and dignity for the deceased in every setting, including proper regulation of the funeral sector, because everyone deserves dignity in death and every bereaved family deserves certainty that their loved ones are being treated with care and respect.

03:02 - 03:33

Speaker 5

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question comes with warnings of distressing content. When people die, we expect the deceased to receive the highest level of dignity prior to interment. The lack of statutory regulation is resulting in a few engaged in poor practice. The Co-op Funeral Service and independent providers have raised significant concern of a new model of low-cost cremations and mass storage facilities, as the new establishment in York is proposing, which could store 700 people.

03:33 - 03:49

Speaker 6

Within these facilities, they have evidence of poor practice, poor care, and poor handling of the deceased. Will the government meet with me and funeral directors so we can prevent the York site operating and set high regulatory standards for services for the deceased?