Topical Questions 2024-04-23

2024-04-23

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
Over 10 million fit notes were issued last year, many of which are repeat issues without advice. This raises concerns about the current process.
I am concerned that over 10 million 'not fit for work' fit notes were issued last year and most were repeats without any new advice. What steps is my right hon Friend taking to reform this system so people can remain in work?
We know that people in work lead happier, healthier lives. We are launching a reform of the fit note process to create a new system focusing on what people can do rather than cannot do. The Government will consider shifting the responsibility for issuing fit notes away from GPs.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The Association of British HealthTech Industries claims it takes an average of 17 years for lifesaving and life-enhancing technologies to be adopted in the NHS.
According to the ABHI, it takes on average 17 years for new technologies to be adopted. What steps is my right hon Friend taking to speed up this process so more lives can be saved?
I dispute the 17-year figure, but my right hon Friend raises an important point. We have a plan to prioritise the acceleration of patient access backed by funding, reforming the medical technology regulatory framework, introducing the IDAP pilot and launching frameworks to increase innovative products availability.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
The Health Secretary has promised extra dental appointments, but the dentistry Minister says the figure is unreliable.
The Health Secretary promised an extra 2.5 million dental appointments this year, yet the dentistry Minister claims the figure is unreliable. Which one should we trust?
I am delighted to tell the hon Gentleman that we have modelled down ambitions, so the figure provided was higher than 2.5 million appointments due to focusing on delivering the dental recovery plan.
Assessment & feedback
Specific reliability and comparison between figures
Dispute
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
The chief dental officer and British Dental Association criticise the announcement of additional dental appointments.
The BDA says the dental recovery plan does not meet targets. Who should the public trust, and why should they trust the Health Secretary to deliver?
Let us bring ourselves up to date. Labour's record in Wales is poor, while within a month of the new patient premium being switched on, hundreds of surgeries have opened to new patients.
Assessment & feedback
Public trust and dental recovery plan reliability
Redirect Comparison
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
The Mid and South Essex ICB proposes to close St Peter's Hospital in Maldon and relocate medical services.
My right hon Friend heard from another Member that the Mid and South Essex ICB has proposed closing St Peter's Hospital and relocating services. Will she look at the consultation outcomes?
A consultation was conducted, more than 5,000 people responded, and an independent research agency will produce a report. A meeting is due in July, and I will continue to take an interest.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Kirsty Blackman SNP
Aberdeen North
Context
Recent fit note reforms are criticised as attacks on sick and disabled people.
The recent announcements on fit note reform are the latest in a long series of attacks on the most vulnerable. Does she understand how much more difficult these changes will make life for people?
These reforms are being brought forward due to an unsustainable rise in fit notes. We want to support people into work, funded by those who pay taxes and work. I draw attention to Scotland's record on drug deaths.
Assessment & feedback
Impact of reforms on vulnerable individuals
Redirect Comparison
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
The British Psychological Society has highlighted the importance of Government support for mental health and wellbeing in the NHS. This prompted a request for an update.
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. The British Psychological Society has commended the benefit of Government support for staff mental health and wellbeing hubs and is keen to see that support continue. Will the Minister therefore give an update on the support being provided and the progress being made on the vital issue of staff mental health and wellbeing?
That is an important point. We know how vital it is to support everyone who is working so hard in our NHS to support patients. NHS England is reviewing mental health services for all staff who need them, to ensure that they can access the support they need. It is working collaboratively with regions and integrated care systems to agree the best approach to doing that.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details or commitments on current support being provided for mental health and wellbeing hubs.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Helen Hayes Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Context
There is an increasing incidence of bowel cancer among younger patients, with many receiving late diagnoses. The NHS website does not include iron deficiency anaemia in the list of common symptoms.
There is an increasing incidence of bowel cancer among younger patients, such as my constituent Emily, who received a late diagnosis after many months of attending her GP with iron deficiency anaemia. Younger patients often report that bowel cancer was dismissed as a possibility by their GP because of their age, and that symptoms such as iron deficiency anaemia are not taken seriously enough and are not included currently on the list of commons symptoms on the NHS website. What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that NHS guidelines and practice are fit for purpose for younger patients, who far too often receive a late diagnosis of bowel cancer?
The hon. Lady makes an important point. As part of the NHS long-term plan, we have an ambition to diagnose 75% of all stageable cancers at stage 1 or 2 by 2028. That means that we need to make significant improvements on the harder-to-detect cancers such as bowel cancer. We are working across systems to deliver those improvements, not only with better screening programmes, but by improving patient pathways. However, I am more than happy to meet her if she wants to have a further conversation specifically about bowel cancer.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific issues raised regarding NHS guidelines and practices for younger patients.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
North Yorkshire has only one dedicated Parkinson's nurse, despite the complexity of the condition. There is a need to incentivise nurses to specialise in Parkinson's care.
Following discussions with constituents who are living with Parkinson's and with Parkinson's UK, I am concerned that North Yorkshire has only one dedicated Parkinson's nurse. Given the complexity of the condition, what steps are being taken further to incentivise nurses to specialise in Parkinson's and on long-term delivery?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. I know the huge value of Parkinson's nurses to local patients in my constituency. Under the NHS long-term workforce plan, backed by more than £2.4 billion over the next five years, the NHS will focus on expanding the number of clinicians training for enhanced and advanced roles working as part of multidisciplinary teams with the right skills to meet the changing needs of patients.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific incentives for nurses to specialise in Parkinson's care.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Richard Burgon Lab
Leeds East
Context
Residents at a community coffee morning in Leeds raised concerns about difficulty accessing NHS dentists. The Dentists for All campaign demands access to an NHS dentist, funding restoration, and contract changes.
The main issue raised by residents at the community coffee morning at the Compton centre in Leeds yesterday was the difficulty in getting access to dentists. The Secretary of State struggled to give any credible answer on this question today. Is she aware of the “Dentists for All” campaign and will she back it? Its three demands are: to provide access to an NHS dentist for everyone; to restore funding for dental services and recruit more NHS dentists; and to change the contracts, because they are simply not fit for purpose. Does the Secretary of State agree with that, and, if not, why not?
We switched on our fully funded dental recovery plan, in case the hon. Gentleman was not listening carefully earlier, on 1 March. Nearly 500 more practices in England are accepting new adult patients than at the end of January, and even more will do so under the dental recovery plan. We have plans to bring in new dental vans to help our most isolated communities. We are also bringing in the Smile4Life programme for children, because prevention must be a critical part of our dental recovery plan.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address support for Dentists for All campaign or its specific demands.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
A recent claim by Elfbar and Lost Mary vapes about launching rechargeable, refillable products has raised concerns. These products are not single-use or disposable according to published regulations.
Ministers will be aware of a rather boastful claim last weekend by the makers of Elfbar and Lost Mary vapes. They have already launched rechargeable, refillable products, which, with a coil in each pod, are not by definition single-use or disposable according to the published regulations. Can the Minister reassure the House and parents that they are alive to that and will pivot as necessary now that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is going into Committee?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that matter, which shows the cynicism with which the tobacco and vaping industry is approaching these landmark public health reforms. On vapes, we have committed to consulting on the powers that we are adopting in the Bill precisely because we want to ensure that the regulations, when they come to the fore, address the realities of the market and the cynicism of the companies behind it, and help to ensure that our children do not continue being plied with these horrible items to get them hooked on nicotine.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a clear commitment or timeline for consulting on powers in the Bill.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Lee Anderson Reform
Ashfield
Context
The chair of a local hospital trust and the east midlands Labour mayoral candidate used the hospital as a political campaign prop, inviting opposition members to canvass patients.
I was disappointed to see the chair of my local hospital trust and the east midlands Labour mayoral candidate use my hospital as a political campaign prop by inviting the shadow Health and Social Care Secretary and the Leader of the Opposition to canvass patients and staff. Can the Minister please explain to me how we can rein in this type of gutter politics and prevent my local hospital being used for Labour's dog-whistle politics?
This is a very serious matter, which I have raised with the chief executive of NHS England, and asked her to raise with the regional director and Nottinghamshire integrated care board. We have done so because we believe that it might be a breach of the Nolan principles.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete measures or actions to address political misuse of hospitals.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The Office for National Statistics recently released data showing a significant increase in alcohol-specific deaths from 2019 to 2022.
Just yesterday, the Office for National Statistics released data showing that alcohol-specific deaths in 2022 were 4.2% higher than in 2021 and a massive 32.8% higher than in 2019. Will my right hon. Friend now seriously consider a stand-alone alcohol strategy based on this worrying trend and agree to meet me and other interested parties to discuss a way forward to tackle alcohol-specific deaths?
My hon. Friend was an incredibly hard-working health Minister and I pay tribute to her for all she did in this area. She will be aware that our groundbreaking drug and alcohol strategy commits more than half a billion pounds of new funding over the spending review period to rebuild drug and alcohol treatment services, with plans to get an additional 15,000 alcohol-dependent people into substance misuse treatment by 2024-25, which we are currently on track to achieve. I would be delighted to meet her to talk about it further.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a stand-alone alcohol strategy based on the recent data trend.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Ruth Cadbury Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Context
A constituent reported being diagnosed with ovarian cancer only after multiple GP appointments failed to identify the issue, resulting in infertility.
I am concerned about a young woman who made four GP appointments over several months for unexplained stomach cramps. Only an emergency admission abroad led to the diagnosis and removal of her tumour. How long will it be before the symptoms of female-specific conditions are taken seriously by our medical establishment, from initial training onwards?
I thank the hon. Lady for raising this issue and send best wishes to her constituent. The hon. Lady raises an important point regarding symptoms experienced by women, which are often different from those for men in conditions such as cancer and heart attacks. Part of my prioritisation is to ensure that clinicians receive training so they can make prompt diagnoses.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline or concrete actions related to medical training and diagnosis
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
The recent expansion of bird flu among mammals in the US highlights the need for vigilance and preparedness.
What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that the UK Health Security Agency has the budget and the capabilities it needs, especially given the lessons learned from the bird flu situation?
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question and recognise his role in setting up the UK Health Security Agency. The matter is under close review, with briefings from the chief medical officer as needed.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or funding details
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
A company operating under various names preys on families, drawing them into expensive and unregulated treatments.
What can Ministers do about a company known as Young Vibes, Peaky Parents, Kactus Kids, 'themumsnet', and Anxiety Recovery that offers to fix children's anxiety in mere weeks but operates outside regulatory frameworks?
The hon. Lady raises an important point, and I ask her to write to me so that we can look into it.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any concrete action or commitment
Asks For A Written Request
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Context
The UK's life sciences sector is important, and there are concerns about the progress of commercial clinical trials.
Could my right hon. Friend update the House on commercial clinical trial patient recruitment?
Thanks to the sterling work of my hon. Friend, monthly average patient recruitment is almost five times higher now than in June 2023.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Context
The Camberwell dialysis unit's outsourcing to a for-profit corporation is concerning due to past regulatory issues.
Does the Minister accept that privatising NHS services bit by bit has disastrous implications, and will he listen to patients in my constituency and commit to maintaining our NHS dialysis provision?
Service changes should be based on clear evidence of better patient outcomes. In Lambeth, patients will receive care in a significantly improved environment with brand new facilities.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to maintaining NHS dialysis provision
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has created a pioneering centre for urgent mental health care.
Will my hon. Friend join me in recognising the work of the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and is that model being rolled out across the country?
My hon. Friend rightly flags excellent work going on to improve access to mental health services; last year, around 3.6 million people got support, an increase of around 30% in just three years.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to rolling out the model
Response accuracy
Q20 Direct Answer
Context
Mandatory fortification could save thousands from spina bifida but progress is slow.
Why is mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid happening so slowly, at such a low level and applied to too few products?
I assure the hon. Member that we remain firmly committed; policy is being delivered across the UK as part of a wider review, and legislation will be brought forward later this year.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Stella Creasy Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Context
The hospital is under pressure due to redevelopment delays, which are costing NHS budgets.
Why has the promised 2026 Whipps Cross Hospital redevelopement not been agreed with the Department and what is causing the delay?
The hon. Member raises performance concerns; I have worked closely with the NHS to improve urgent and emergency care, seeing improvements over the past year.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address redevelopment delays or agree to a meeting
Response accuracy
Q22 Direct Answer
Context
The question follows a visit by the Secretary of State to Watford General Hospital, where plans for a new hospital were shared. The West Hertfordshire NHS Trust leadership team confirmed that preparation work is starting this year and construction will begin by the end of 2026.
I again thank the Secretary of State for visiting Watford General Hospital earlier this year, where we shared exciting plans for the new hospital, with preparation work starting this year, and construction starting by the end of 2026. I spoke with the West Hertfordshire NHS Trust leadership team this week, who confirmed that they are on track for that delivery within those timescales. Will my right hon. Friend please join me in thanking them for their hard work on that?
I would be delighted to join my hon. Friend, and I thank him again for a really positive visit to his local hospital. That is a great example of a local MP working in his local area for his constituents and, what is more, delivering for them.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
The MP is concerned about radiotherapy waiting times and seeks improvements in data collection to better understand delays at each stage of the radiotherapy pathway.
As a practical measure to improve radiotherapy waiting times, will the Minister agree to further work on the radiotherapy dataset, to include the collection of data on delays at each stage of the radiotherapy pathway, and by tumour type, so that we can better understand pinch points in services?
We are working to improve radiotherapy services across the NHS, and I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that in more detail.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not explicitly agree to work on the dataset but offered a meeting instead.
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Daisy Cooper Lib Dem
St Albans
Context
The MP is concerned about delays in the release of funds for hospital construction projects, questioning whether these delays are due to bureaucracy or deliberate delaying tactics by the Government.
West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust is at the front of the queue for the new hospital programme. We have the land, planning permission, building design, political and staff support, and enabling works are under way. But, like many other trusts around the country, the hospital trust is being asked to submit business case after business case. Will the Secretary of State clarify whether those delays are down to bureaucracy and the new hospital programme, or are they deliberate delaying tactics by a Government who do not want to release funds to hospitals before the general election?
Normally, a Secretary of State would appear at the Dispatch Box after a question like that and say, “I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier.” On this occasion I will refer her to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Dean Russell). He has just set out the business case for Watford General, which is great news, and I hope she will join him and me in welcoming that new hospital when it is open.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address the specific delays or reasons behind them.
Referencing Another Question
Response accuracy