Mr Redwood’s contribution to the Backbench Debate on GP Services, 5 February 2015

Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Does my hon. Friend agree that our party’s excellent policy of extending GP opening times and days is crucial, but it will require more GPs to work more flexible hours on an agreed basis?

Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): My right hon. Friend makes a good point. The plan that NHS England has put forward is about shifting resources from the acute emergency care sector into primary care sectors, especially GP practices. The point that he makes about flexible working fits well with my point about enabling more women to stay in the NHS or to return to it. Many walks of life are addressing the issue of enabling women to combine their caring responsibilities with their desire to play a full part in society, whether that is in public service as a GP, as a Member of Parliament or in business. Much more work needs to be done by the NHS to look at ways to enable women to combine caring for children or elderly parents with being a GP or fulfilling other roles in the NHS.