Topical Questions 2025-07-22
2025-07-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
In 2023, there were 5,448 drug-related deaths in the UK, marking an 84% increase from previous years. This has prompted calls for a new public health-led drugs strategy.
There were 5,448 drug-related deaths in 2023—the highest figure ever—and an 84% increase from the number that led the previous Government to publish their drugs strategy, which was supposed to save lives. Does the Secretary of State agree that the existing drugs strategy is not fit for purpose, and will he urgently start work on replacing it with a public health-led drugs strategy to tackle this public health emergency?
I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. The number of drug-related deaths remains far too high, and we are committed to saving lives through access to high-quality treatment. For 2025-26, my Department is providing £310 million in addition to the public health grant to deliver the recommendations from Dame Carol Black’s independent review, but there is much more to do. We look forward to working with my hon. Friend to achieve success.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly commit to replacing the existing drugs strategy and instead emphasized ongoing efforts and additional funding.
We Are Committed
There Is Much More To Do
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The 10-year NHS plan aims to shift care from hospital to community settings, including for dementia patients.
Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges that we as a society face today and in the future, but too many people with dementia end up in hospital, rather than being treated in more appropriate community settings. The 10-year NHS plan offers a real opportunity to shift care into the community and away from acute settings, including for dementia. Will the Secretary of State commit to working with Dementia UK, the Alzheimer’s Society and other fantastic charities as he develops the implementation of his 10-year NHS plan to ensure that it truly delivers for people with dementia and those who care for them?
I absolutely agree with what the shadow Secretary of State has said. All three shifts—from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention—ought to benefit people with Alzheimer’s, dementias and other neurological conditions, as will the pioneering science that we need in this country, which I know he is so passionate about.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly commit to working with specific charities but acknowledged the importance of community care for dementia patients.
All Three Shifts Ought To Benefit
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The St Mary’s birth centre in Melton Mowbray has been temporarily closed due to staff shortages, raising concerns about permanent closure.
Maintaining the focus on local communities, the fantastic St Mary’s birth centre in Melton Mowbray, in my constituency, has recently been temporarily closed by the local NHS trust for six months due to staff shortages. Although I appreciate that the Secretary of State does not have powers over such temporary closures and that local NHS leaders have engaged constructively, many local people fear that “temporary” could risk becoming permanent. If that risk looks like becoming a reality by the end of the summer, will the Secretary of State or one of his Ministers pre-emptively agree to meet me at that point to discuss it?
I absolutely give the right hon. Gentleman the assurance that I would be happy to meet him about his constituency issue, or indeed anything else. For all of the exchanges that we have across these Dispatch Boxes on issues of disagreement, what is not always readily understood beyond this House is the extent to which those on both sides work extremely constructively together, on the enormous number of issues that we have in common, in pursuit of the national interest.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly commit to a meeting but assured willingness to discuss any issue at the constituency level.
I Would Be Happy To Meet Him
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There are reports of attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel by Israel in Gaza, compromising the efforts of the World Health Organisation.
UK doctors and nurses have been volunteering their time in Gaza. There are shocking reports this morning that Israel’s ground offensive in central Gaza has compromised the efforts of the World Health Organisation after its facilities came under attack. In the light of that extremely concerning news, does the Secretary of State agree that those supporting the health response in Gaza, including UK doctors, nurses and volunteers, must never be targeted, and that Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law?
I deplore Israel’s attacks on healthcare workers, as well as those on innocent civilians trying to access healthcare or vital aid. These actions go well beyond legitimate self-defence and undermine the prospects for peace. I will be in touch with the World Health Organisation to offer my support following the intolerable incident yesterday.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly commit to ensuring compliance by Israel but condemned attacks on healthcare workers.
I Deplore
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Carers are protesting today to highlight the challenges they face, including delays in the carers’ allowance review.
Carers across the country have launched a protest from home today, with the Carers Trust. Their faces are projected on screens around Parliament Square because they are unable to leave their loved ones to protest in person. The Government’s pledge for the carer’s allowance review to report by early summer looks set to be broken. Can the Secretary of State today commit to ending the cliff edge for carer’s allowance and to introducing a statutory guarantee for respite care so that carers know that he is listening?
I thank the hon. Member for her question, and for making everyone aware of the powerful protest taking place today, which so visibly reminds us that lots of people’s voices may not be heard if they cannot participate in person. It is a reminder of the challenges that people face. I will undertake to raise her concerns with my right hon. Friend the Work and Pensions Secretary, and I give carers across the country the assurance that we are working as fast as we can.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly commit to ending the cliff edge or introducing statutory guarantees but acknowledged the challenges faced by carers.
I Will Undertake
We Are Working As Fast As We Can
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The constituency of Stoke-on-Trent Central has significant health inequalities, prompting questions about how the NHS plan will address these issues.
My constituency of Stoke-on-Trent Central has some of the deepest ingrained health inequalities anywhere in the country. My constituents are just as deserving of first-class healthcare as anyone else, so can the Secretary of State set out how the 10-year health plan will help reduce those health inequalities and ensure that, across Stoke-on-Trent and north Staffordshire, my constituents have the healthy lives they should expect?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his powerful question, which reminds us of our duty to ensure that all parts of our country get access to high-quality healthcare as a minimum expectation. I am proud that we have put in place an unprecedented £42 billion funding settlement to tackle health inequalities and make progress on reducing them. We are also making great strides through the levelling up agenda, so that every part of this country can benefit from improved opportunities and better services.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State provided general information about funding and levelling up but did not specify how these initiatives address health inequalities in Stoke-on-Trent Central.
I Am Proud That We Have Put
We Are Also Making Great Strides
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the lack of support for ADHD, citing that over 300,000 children are waiting for an assessment. Untreated ADHD is known to affect educational attainment, employment prospects, and health outcomes.
My ADHD diagnosis in May this year helped to answer questions about my life and put support in place to improve it, but we know that over 300,000 children are waiting for an assessment. Untreated ADHD affects educational attainment, employment prospects and health outcomes. Will the Secretary of State set out the Department's plans to improve access to assessments and treatment for ADHD? Will he work across Government to develop a long-term, joined-up approach to ADHD care?
I commend my hon. Friend for bringing his personal experience to bear on this important matter. NHS England’s independent ADHD taskforce is looking at how to provide support for people with ADHD and how to improve it. We are considering the taskforce’s interim report and look forward to the final report later this year. The taskforce is joined up with expert groups established across Government to provide advice on meeting the needs of neurodivergent children and young people in education, and on boosting neurodiversity inclusion at work.
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Assessment & feedback
Considering
Looking Into
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question focuses on the partnership between the Department of Health and charities to build neighbourhood health services for people with long-term conditions. The aim is to ensure that these services are consistent across the UK, not a postcode lottery.
Will the Minister confirm what steps the Department will take to build neighbourhood health services in partnership with charities, such as Macmillan, that have a proven track record of designing and delivering community-based services for people with long-term conditions? How can we ensure that this is a UK-wide service, and not a postcode lottery for cancer services?
The cancer plan will reflect the three shifts in the 10-year plan, including from hospital to community. Macmillan, Cancer Research UK and Cancer52 all sit on the steering board for the cancer plan, and I meet them regularly. Last week, we announced the Diagnostic Connect partnership with the third sector, linking patients with third sector services on diagnosis. The cancer plan will cover this for the whole of England and build on the commitments in the 10-year plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Will Reflect
Build On
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the complexity and delays in securing an education, health and care plan, which can have a significant impact on children's health and well-being.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am so delighted to have two questions on health this week that I am not even going to mention ferries! As my hon. Friend will know, the process for securing an education, health and care plan is complex and can lead to delays in accessing vital support. That can have a serious impact on the health and wellbeing of young people and children. What steps is the Minister taking to improve the health element of EHCPs for families navigating the process, including those in my constituency?
We have inherited a system that is utterly failing to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. This Government are reforming the SEND system, ensuring that there is joined-up support across education and healthcare. We are also supporting inclusive environments and earlier intervention for children through the early language support for every child programme, or ELSEC, and the partnership for inclusion of neurodiversity in schools programme, or PINS.
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Assessment & feedback
Reforming
Supporting
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted a severe lack of NHS dental practices in Derbyshire Dales, leaving many constituents to experience economic hardship due to unaffordable private care options.
There was not a single NHS dental practice accepting new adult patients other than those referred for specialist care last autumn. My constituents have had to spend up to £2,000 on private dentistry. Will the Government provide increased funding for NHS dentistry?
The mess we inherited from the previous Government with 14 million adults having unmet dental needs led to this situation. We are determined to improve by delivering 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments and reforming the dental contract.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify funding increase or timeline for rural areas
Did Not Mention Specific Funding
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP referenced the NHS 10-year plan which did not include eating disorder measures, despite potential harm from obesity reduction policies.
I was disappointed there was no mention of eating disorders in the NHS 10-year plan. Will the Government commit to an eating disorder strategy as recommended by the all-party parliamentary group?
We are investing £688 million this year to improve access to mental health services, including 24/7 neighbourhood health centres. The hon. Lady's party supported the previous government which led to some of today’s issues.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a commitment for an eating disorder strategy
Criticised Opposition
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
Will the Minister meet me and the new Parkrun chief executive to discuss future collaborations?
We are learning from Parkrun's success in encouraging physical activity, as it saves the NHS around £10.5 billion annually.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a meeting
Did Not Confirm A Meeting
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
The Minister is delaying the new Watford general hospital until at least 2032. What steps are being taken to improve healthcare quality in my area?
We have delivered 4.5 million more NHS appointments and reduced waiting lists, contrary to the delays caused by the previous government's plans for Watford general hospital.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps
Criticised Opposition
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
The report highlighted barriers for adults with cerebral palsy when transitioning from pediatric to adult care. What steps are being taken?
NHS England has developed a framework and NICE guidance for transition planning for cerebral palsy patients aged under 25.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps beyond existing frameworks
Did Not Specify Future Actions
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
The Public Accounts Committee says that the dental contract reform will only work with sustainable funding. Will the Government ensure this?
Every penny allocated to NHS dentistry must be spent on it, focusing spending where needed most. We are addressing underspends and rising demand.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm sustainable funding commitment
Did Not Specify Funding
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
My constituents are campaigning for a dedicated cancer support centre in Luton. Does the Minister agree this would benefit them, and will she meet me to discuss?
The national cancer plan will cover facilities across England; I am more than happy to meet the hon. Friend to discuss Luton's needs.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm support for a local centre
Offered A General Meeting
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
Brierley Park medical centre has been successful in applying for PCUMF but has not received the money. When will they receive it?
We need to improve decision-making timeliness and funding release; I shall ensure my Department looks into this and writes to him with an answer.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline
Promised To Look Into It
Response accuracy
Q18
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP references a hospital in Hackney facing financial challenges due to a reduction in deficit reduction money mid-way through an agreement.
I commend my right hon. Friend for his work on reducing waiting lists, but at the Homerton in Hackney, because of a system-wide funding failure, deficit reduction money was removed three months into a 12-month agreement, which reduced the opportunity to drive down waiting lists still further. Will he or one of his colleagues meet me to discuss this issue and see what we can do to drive down those waiting lists?
We are taking action to deal with the over-running of budgets and the reckless spending across the NHS and to bring deficits under control, but I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q19
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP raises an issue about a family unable to return an NHS wheelchair to the hospital due to administrative hurdles.
Spelthorne residents Emma and John lost Holly to cancer in October last year. They set up the charity Holly’s Heroes in her name. Before she died, Holly was given a wheelchair by the NHS, and Emma and John cannot now give it back to the NHS for love nor money. I have raised this with the chief executive of the trust, but can the Secretary of State reassure me that this practice is not replicated nationwide?
We absolutely need to look at reducing waste in the NHS, so I would be delighted to pick up that case. Can I also say an enormous thank you to Holly’s family for the work they are doing in such unimaginable circumstances? I really admire people who put themselves forward to serve others in that way after such a painful experience.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP highlights an issue where GP surgeries are threatened with a bill equivalent to one year's salary due to late payments demanded by NHS Property Services.
Last Friday I brought together GPs, housing developers, the local authority, the ICB, and anyone else you care to name, to try finally to solve the issue of our having one of the most under-doctored areas in the country for primary care. Among the many issues raised was a particularly niche one: thanks to NHS Property Services demanding a late payment from a couple of GP surgeries, which were unaware that they were due to pay this rent, those surgeries now face the possibility of having to pay a bill that equates to the cost of one GP’s salary for a year. That cannot be right.
I would be delighted to look at the issue that my hon. Friend raises. I am only sorry that I missed the party last week.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP questions the lack of additional money for NHS in Cumbria despite overall investment.
Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care board is having to make savings of £142 million this year, and the backdrop to that is a loss of wards at Barrow, Lancaster and Kendal. We hear a lot about additional money for the NHS. Why is none of it coming to Cumbria?
It is not the case that none of the money is going to Cumbria. We are taking action to deal with the persistent over-running and over-spending of NHS budgets, which was an intolerable situation that we had to get a grip on. We are investing £26 billion more in the NHS, and that will rise over the course of this Parliament. We will make sure that every part of the country gets its fair share, not least through the deprivation-linked funding that I mentioned.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP asks about the progress of expanding prescribing rights for OPDs and allied health professionals.
In 2020, a consultation was carried out to give prescribing rights to operating department practitioners, but despite positive discussions with the Department we are no further forwards and OPDs and allied health professionals are being held back. Does the Secretary of State agree that expanding their roles within scope of practice will improve efficiency, patient care and professional development?
We are keen to address these sorts of issues through our workforce planning and to ensure that staff are working to the top of their licensing capability, always within the training provided. That way we can get the best possible value for taxpayer money and, most importantly of all, the best outcomes for patients.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q23
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the importance of step-down provision for patient care and relieving pressure on acute hospitals.
Does the Secretary of State agree with me about the importance of step-down provision, provided by community hospitals such as Petersfield and Alton, both for patient care and for relieving pressure on acute hospitals, such as Queen Alexandra and Basingstoke?
Yes, and that is why we are reforming the better care fund.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q24
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP asks about the shift to prevention and improving efficiency in the social care system.
Key to the shift to prevention is making sure that people can stay in their own homes or get home from hospital. The Health and Social Care Committee found that such provision costs the NHS £1.9 billion every year. Can the Secretary of State update me on what we are doing to get the social care system working?
Thanks to the decision that the Chancellor has taken, spending power in social care is rising—not just through Department funding but in the spending power of local authorities. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: we have to get the right care in the right place at the right time.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q25
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP questions the delay in publishing a final delivery plan for ME care.
At midnight, The Times published an article on the ME final delivery plan, carrying quotes from three ME campaign groups. The charity Action for ME published a five-page briefing at the same time, and “BBC Breakfast” also featured the plan, so they had all read the plan. I checked with the relevant officers and went to the House of Commons Library about half an hour ago, and no plan has been published. More than 12 hours after the Department’s press release, no MP can access the plan. Is this how it should be?
I thank the hon. Member for raising this issue. That is not what I was expecting. A written ministerial statement has been tabled, and I will speak to officials and make sure that that plan is available as it should be.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy