Topical Questions 2025-01-07

2025-01-07

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Calum Miller LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Context
The MP is concerned about the long wait times for first assessments by child and adult mental health services in his constituency.
I am sure the Secretary of State will share my shock and anger about the number of young people in my constituency who are waiting more than four years for a first assessment by child and adult mental health services. Can he confirm that yesterday’s commitment by the Prime Minister that patients would not wait more than 18 weeks for a first appointment will apply to CAMHS in Oxfordshire?
We are determined to improve children and young people’s experience of both mental and physical health services, and we are determined to do more to ensure that mental health and paediatric waits are put under the spotlight and given the same attention as the overall elective backlog. I am sure we will have more to say about that when we publish the 10-year plan.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not confirm if the commitment applies to CAMHS specifically, only stating a general intention to improve waits for mental health services.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Adam Jogee Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Context
The MP references the case of his constituents Sheila and Joe Ward, who have campaigned for compensation after losing a family member due to the covid-19 vaccine.
I pay tribute to my constituents Sheila and Joe Ward, who have long campaigned for vaccine-injured people and bereaved families following the death of their husband and father. The vaccine damage payment scheme has received 16,824 claims. When can people who are still mourning the loss of loved ones expect to receive the compensation that they deserve?
In September the Secretary of State and I met the families of people who had suffered harm following the covid-19 vaccination, including my hon. Friend’s constituent Sheila Ward, and they raised the need for reform of the vaccination damage scheme. We listened closely to their descriptions of what they had been through and agreed to look at a number of options, noting that cross-cutting Government decisions might be necessary. We are also working with the NHS Business Services Authority to improve claimants’ experiences of the scheme, and to ensure that claims are processed quickly.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a specific timeline for compensation but acknowledged ongoing efforts to reform the scheme.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Edward Argar Con
Melton and Syston
The Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday of his elective recovery plan mirrored that of Sir Saijd Javid in 2022, but one aspect was different. Our plan explicitly recognised the importance of the workforce being in place to deliver the 9 million extra tests and interpret the results, and it set out proposals to increase that workforce further. What plans has the Secretary of State to boost the workforce in community diagnostic centres specifically, over and above the plans that he inherited from us, to ensure that his elective recovery plan is deliverable?
The shadow Secretary of State is right to say that we need staff in place to do the job. The additional funding announced by the Chancellor in the Budget is central to the delivery of this plan—I note that he opposes the means of raising it, which is deeply regrettable—but we need to improve productivity as well.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specific plans for boosting the workforce in community diagnostic centres but acknowledged the importance of staff and funding.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Edward Argar Con
Melton and Syston
On hospices, while the Secretary of State’s pre-Christmas hospice funding announcement was, of course, welcome, the vast bulk of it was in fact non-recurring capital funding, which cannot be used to help them cover the hiked employer national insurance tax on hospices’ most precious asset: their staff. What steps is he taking to ensure that they receive recurring revenue funding, to enable them to cover the additional costs?
The £100 million capital investment we set out before Christmas is the biggest boost to hospice funding in a generation, and it comes on top of the £26 million that we announced for the children and young people’s hospice grant. The right hon. Gentleman cannot welcome the investment and keep opposing the means of raising it. Would he cut services or raise other taxes?
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address the specific request for recurring revenue funding, instead emphasizing capital investment and challenging the opposition.
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Tristan Osborne Lab
Chatham and Aylesford
Context
The MP is inquiring about the potential for expanding the Pharmacy First service to include access to medicines for common dental conditions.
Pharmacy First is an incredibly popular service that has allowed many residents in Chatham and Aylesford to be referred for illnesses or urgent repeat medicine supplies. Can the Minister indicate whether there warrants a further review and expansion of this offering, to include further access to medicines, including those to treat common dental conditions with bacterial infections, so that patients with these very painful emergency needs can seek immediate over-the-counter appointments?
We are making a priority of resuming consultations with the sector to stabilise community pharmacy. Pharmacy First has built on existing services to increase the clinical scope. The conditions treated under Pharmacy First vary across the UK, and the NHS will keep this under review.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a direct answer regarding expansion for dental conditions but stated that consultations are ongoing and the service is kept under review.
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Claire Young LD
Thornbury and Yate
Context
The MP refers to a case of a young person with complex needs who is unable to be supported by local services, leading to the need for residential care.
When we think of social care, we often think of those who are older, but at a recent advice surgery I met the mother of a 20-year-old with complex needs that local services are unable to meet, so the only option that would allow him to engage with his peers is residential care further afield, taking him away from his family. Will the Minister meet with me, my constituent and his mother to discuss how we ensure that those with complex needs are properly supported?
I am sure the hon. Lady will welcome the fact that we have found an £86 million uplift for the disabled facilities grant, but on the specific question she raises, I would be happy to meet her and discuss that further.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to a meeting directly but offered to discuss it further without committing to specifics.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Jo Platt Lab/Co-op
Leigh and Atherton
Context
The MP highlights the need for improved diagnosis, treatment, and support for those affected by long covid.
Groups such as Action for ME and Long Covid Support tirelessly advocate for improved care for over 2 million people living in the UK. How will the Minister ensure that NHS reforms deliver timely diagnosis, effective treatment and long-term support for those affected?
My hon. Friend raises a really important point. NHS England is due to complete a stocktake of long covid services throughout England at the end of this month. That will provide an accurate in-depth overview of not only long covid services but ME/CFS—myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome—services. The stocktake will provide a comprehensive and accurate national picture, identify key challenges and make strategic recommendations for future service improvement, development and assurance.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister provided information about upcoming assessments but did not directly address the need for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Rosie Duffield Ind
Canterbury
Context
Since 2017, Rosie Duffield has been raising issues with East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. The trust faces significant challenges in urgent and emergency care, with patients experiencing long waits for treatment.
I have been raising the crisis facing East Kent hospitals university NHS foundation trust since 2017. Seven different Health Secretaries across those seven years have promised much but delivered nothing at all. Patients continue to face unacceptably long waits on trolleys in corridors, and last month the Kent Online paper compared these conditions to a war zone, with an average of 40 very ill patients a day facing more than 12-hour waits. Will the Secretary of State meet me and the CEO of our trust, who is desperate for even the most basic diagnostic equipment, to ensure that this does not continue to be the case for another seven years?
Yes, I or the Minister of State for Health would be delighted to meet the hon. Member. She is right to describe the scale of challenge in urgent and emergency care. Of course, there are other challenges in east Kent, particularly in maternity services, which I am acutely aware of too, and I would be delighted to work with her to help solve some of those challenges in her community.
Assessment & feedback
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Q9 Partial Answer
Natasha Irons Lab
Croydon East
Context
The Family Dental Practice in Croydon East has faced significant challenges due to the NHS dental contract introduced by the previous government. The practice was part of a pilot scheme that caused long-lasting operational financial damages.
The Family Dental Practice in my constituency has faced significant challenges caused by dental contracts introduced by the previous Government. The pilot scheme it took part in caused long-lasting operational financial damages to the practice. How will the Secretary of State support such practices, and will he consider measures such as rebasing the unit of dental activity targets to help them overcome these challenges?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: the NHS dental contract simply is not working. We are working with the sector to reform the contract, with a shift to focusing on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists. We will deliver on our pledge to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments at the earliest possible opportunity, targeting areas that need them most.
Assessment & feedback
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Q10 Partial Answer
Mohammad Yasin Lab
Bedford
Context
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust remains at the highest escalation level, with call handlers in Bedford under immense pressure. The trust is considering closing the Bedford emergency operation centre, putting nearly 200 jobs at risk.
The East of England ambulance service NHS trust remains at the highest escalation level—level 4—as call handlers in Bedford remain under immense pressure after responding to 39,000 calls between Christmas and new year. Despite the unprecedented demand, the trust is considering closing the Bedford emergency operation centre, putting nearly 200 jobs at risk. Given that resources are already stretched to the limit in Bedford, does the Secretary of State agree that we must keep experienced staff who have helped to save countless lives in the region?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the particular problems in his constituency. Decisions on the configuration of call centres are a matter for local trusts in consultation with staff and representatives, and I encourage him to continue to engage with the trust in the interests of his constituents.
Assessment & feedback
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Q11 Partial Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Context
The land purchase has been secured for a new hospital in Lancaster, which will transform health outcomes for the community.
I thank my right hon. Friend for securing the land purchase for the new hospital in Lancaster. Will he meet me to discuss how a new hospital will transform health outcomes for my constituents?
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. She was literally the first person to lobby me immediately after the general election, about her hospital, having already lobbied me before. I am delighted that, thanks to her efforts, we have been able to deliver for her community; indeed, thanks to your efforts, Mr Speaker, we have done so for yours too. I would be delighted to meet her.
Assessment & feedback
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Q12 Partial Answer
Richard Quigley Lab
Isle of Wight West
Context
The Isle of Wight faces significant challenges in dental care, with a population of 2 million lacking access to proper dental services.
The Isle of Wight does not just have a problem with its ferries; we also have a huge problem with dentistry. We are a true dental desert. However, the size of our community means that we are an ideal place to try new approaches to dentistry, especially for children. Will the Minister meet me to discuss those approaches and improve dentistry on the island?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to describe the Isle of Wight as a dental desert. That is perhaps one of the reasons why the good people of that island elected a Labour Member for the first time in history. Our ambition is to make sure that everyone who needs a dentist can get one. Sadly, 28% of adults in England—13 million people—have an unmet need for NHS dentistry. I would be glad to meet my hon. Friend to learn more about how the experience of the Isle of Wight can improve services nationally.
Assessment & feedback
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Q13 Partial Answer
Vikki Slade LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Context
The question pertains to the challenges faced by patients with rare and complex conditions in accessing consistent and co-ordinated care, including referrals to multidisciplinary teams.
Will the Secretary of State confirm what is being done to ensure that patients with rare and complex conditions, such as functional neurologic disorder and achalasia, can access consistent and co-ordinated care, including referrals to the multidisciplinary teams they need for the different symptoms they experience?
The hon. Member is right to raise cases where there are multiple comorbidities or complex conditions requiring a range of care services. That is why we need to design services around the patient, not expect patients to contort themselves around the services. Our approach to neighbourhood health services should make a real difference in that regard, but we have to go further and faster on health and care integration, and we absolutely will.
Assessment & feedback
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