Prime Minister invited to Banbury to see maternity improvements
11/06/2026
Sean Woodcock publicly invited Sir Kier Starmer following an improvement in the service’s rating
The Prime Minister could be coming to Banbury – if he takes up an offer from Banbury’s MP to visit the Maternity Department at the Horton General Hospital.
Yesterday, during Prime Minister’s Questions Sean Woodcock told Sir Kier Starmer about the recent improved ratings given to Maternity Services in Banbury by the Care Quality Commission, following a visit last October.
Mr Woodcock hoped this would be something the Prime Minister would like to see.
He said: “Last week, the Care Quality Commission upgraded the Horton maternity unit to ‘good’. Will the Prime Minister visit the Horton Hospital in Banbury to see the change that this Government’s £3.3million investment into that hospital has delivered since July 2024?”
Sir Kier replied: “I’m pleased that his local maternity services are seeing improvements. We now have a record number of midwives working in the NHS, and we’re investing over £150million to address critical safety risks.”
Following the session in Parliament Mr Woodcock said: “I’ve heard about maternity failings in Oxfordshire time and time again from families in Banbury.
“One of the first things I did on coming into office as MP was put the Keep the Horton General dossier on failed maternity care in Oxfordshire on the desk of Wes Streeting.
“From that, we’ve had the inclusion of [Oxford University Hospitals Trust] in the national enquiry into maternity care and had over £100,000 of extra funding for improving maternity provision at the Horton Hospital.
“I was pleased to invite the Prime Minister to come to Banbury and see the changes that have been made as a result of this. I will continue to push for better outcomes for mothers and children in North Oxfordshire.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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