Topical Questions 2024-03-05

2024-03-05

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was asked about her departmental responsibilities, including initiatives such as baby loss certificates.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The MP inquired specifically about the Government's initiative to introduce baby loss certificates, which aims to provide formal recognition to families who have lost a child and has resulted in over 37,000 requests since its announcement two weeks ago.
I am committed to making our NHS faster, simpler and fairer for all, including families. The Government have introduced baby loss certificates, which allow families to receive formal recognition when they lose a child. Over 37,000 certificates have been requested since the announcement two weeks ago.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The MP welcomed the NHS dentistry recovery plan launched last month.
How many new NHS dental appointments does the Secretary of State expect to be available in my constituency of Weston-super-Mare, and by when? The MP noted that he supported the dental recovery plan and wants an estimate for his local integrated care board area.
Dental activity has increased by 15% compared to the previous year in his local integrated care board area. Our plan will support further increases through some 2.5 million additional appointments across the country, including in Weston-super-Mare.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific figures for Weston-super-Mare constituency.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
There was cross-party support for initiatives such as baby loss certificates, but the MP questioned how embarrassed the Secretary of State would be if the Chancellor adopted Labour's policy to abolish non-dom tax status.
With a general election in the air and given the Secretary of State's principled opposition to funding the NHS by abolishing non-dom tax status, on a scale of one to 10—one being utterly shameless and 10 being highly embarrassed—how red-faced will she be when the Chancellor adopts Labour's policy tomorrow? The MP welcomed the statement but asked about the Secretary of State's stance.
One of the joys of being at the Government Dispatch Box is that we get to have a knockabout on the Labour party's electioneering. The hon. Gentleman will know the Conservatives' proud record on funding our NHS since 2010.
Assessment & feedback
The answer changed the subject and did not address the specific commitment asked.
Knockabout On The Labour Party'S Electioneering
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
The MP highlighted criticisms from a Minister regarding the efficacy of Labour's policy and asked for clarification on how those criticisms would affect the Under-Secretary of State's position in her constituency election.
As she speeds down the A23 back to Lewes, to defend her constituency against the Liberal Democrats, how on earth will she feel with all those embers of the Conservatives' 14-year record blowing in her face? The MP referenced criticisms from a Minister and asked about their impact.
People are almost twice as likely to be waiting for treatment under the Labour-run Welsh NHS, compared with 12.8% in England. Patients in Wales are, on average, waiting five weeks longer for NHS treatment than patients in England, and the number of patients escaping to seek treatment in England has increased by 40%.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address how criticisms would affect the Under-Secretary's position but discussed general NHS performance differences between Wales and England.
Comparison Of Nhs Services In Wales Versus England
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The MP was discussing with his local integrated care board about establishing the first centre of dental excellence in North Yorkshire.
Does my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State agree that boosting capacity is critical to catching up from the pandemic, and that centres of dental excellence are a very good way to achieve it? The MP was talking with his local integrated care board about establishing a centre of dental excellence in North Yorkshire.
I completely agree with my hon. Friend that we need more capacity in our dental workforce, and I know he will be a big advocate for his constituency. We set out in the first ever NHS long-term workforce plan to increase dentistry training places by 40% by 2031-32.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specifics on establishing centres of dental excellence but acknowledged the need for capacity increases and referenced a workforce plan.
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The MP survived melanoma twice, highlighting her concern about cancer prevention and treatment.
I am concerned about my personal experience with surviving melanoma twice. Can the Secretary of State guarantee that all possible measures are being taken to prevent others from getting a similar diagnosis?
We are improving cancer treatment, with survival rates increasing by nearly 10 percentage points since 2005. We are also bringing forward smoke-free generation work and stand ready to help with waiting lists.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a direct guarantee that she is doing everything possible to prevent cancer diagnoses, despite the questioner's specific request.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
The MP mentions appreciation for projects supported by the General Practice Estates and Technology Transformation Fund in his constituency.
What evaluation has been made of the General Practice Estates and Technology Transformation Fund, and will it be continued?
ICBs have the freedom to increase capital for primary care in their region. I am happy to meet again to talk about measures to support his constituents.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific evaluation details or a clear confirmation of continuation, despite being asked directly.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op
York Central
Context
The MP held a dental summit which was met with disappointment and frustration due to lack of funding, flexibility or resolution.
I held my first dental summit since the Government's dental recovery plan. It was met with disappointment and frustration over lack of funding, flexibility or contract resolution. Will the Minister set out the timetable for resolving the dental contract?
We are delivering 2.5 million more appointments through the new patient premium and other measures such as golden hellos, mobile dental vans, and Smile4life.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a specific timeline for resolving the dental contract, despite being asked directly.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
The MP mentions confusion among pharmacists about the application of ear infection services to under-18s.
Pharmacy First is popular in Amber Valley, but some pharmacists report confusion because the service applies only to under 18s. Will the Minister extend the service to over-18s or ensure clear NHS communications?
The area is under review, and I am happy to write to him addressing his point about over-18s and children.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a clear commitment or timeline for resolving the confusion regarding age restrictions, despite being asked directly.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Nia Griffith Lab
Llanelli
Context
The MP agrees on recruiting home-grown carers but raises concerns about reliance on foreign workers being deprived of family life.
I agree we should redouble efforts to recruit and retain more home-grown carers, but in the short term, we rely on foreign workers. Will she think again about dropping this totally inhumane ban?
Every care worker who comes to the UK has a choice, and we are grateful for their contributions. We need to balance international recruitment with our home-grown workforce.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the specific request to reconsider her position on treating international workers' families more humanely.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
The MP mentions the new medical school in Chelmsford and its importance to training NHS staff.
I thank the Health Minister for visiting a new medical school in Chelmsford, marking the first time Essex has trained doctors. What progress is being made to increase work placements for students?
We are working closely with NHS England and partners in health and education to ensure clinical placements, paying tribute to the MP's efforts.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a specific update on progress towards increasing work placements for students, despite being asked directly.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
The MP mentions medicine shortages doubling in the last two years due to post-Brexit regulatory changes and currency issues.
Medicine shortages have doubled in two years. How is the Government addressing this, particularly regarding post-Brexit regulations?
The Department has no evidence linking EU exit to sustained medicine shortages. Shortages occur for various reasons and affect many countries.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the specific question about measures addressing Brexit-related shortages, instead generally denying a link between EU exit and medicine shortages.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
George Freeman Con
Mid Norfolk
Context
Rural Norfolk faces a dental crisis with many children at risk of lacking dental care. NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB announced a £17 million underspend on dentistry.
I am concerned about the dental crisis in Rural Norfolk where there is a generation of children without access to dental care despite welcoming the dental recovery plan. Given that it will take four or five years for more dentists and NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB announced an £17 million underspend on dentistry, can we meet to work out how to get more funding now?
We have tackled access to dental care by encouraging dentists to use their NHS contracts fully through the new patient premium and a higher rate paid for units of dental activity. We are rolling out a plan promising 2.5 million appointments, unlike Labour's plan which promises only 700,000.
Assessment & feedback
Specific meeting request to address immediate funding issues in Norfolk was not directly addressed
Claimed Credit For Their Plan Over Labour
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Rachel Hopkins Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Context
There is an urgent need to address mental ill health among children and young people. Labour proposes setting up mental health hubs in every community funded by VAT on private school fees.
It is vital that we tackle the issue of mental illness in children and young people. We propose establishing mental health support teams in all schools, as well as open-access mental health hubs paid for with VAT from private education fees. Why does the Government not adopt this approach?
We are already rolling out mental health support teams, and 44% of pupils now have access with it rising to 50%. Over 13,800 schools and colleges have a trained senior mental health lead. We also announced early support hubs for young people who can drop in without referrals.
Assessment & feedback
Adopting Labour's plan was not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q15 Direct Answer
Priti Patel Con
Witham
Context
St Peter's Hospital in Maldon faces community health service removal by the Mid and South Essex ICB, causing concern.
The Mid and South Essex integrated care board is planning to remove vital community health services from St Peter's Hospital. Will you meet me and my hon. Friend Sir John Whittingdale to discuss these proposals?
I would be very happy to meet my right hon. Friends to discuss those concerns.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Christine Jardine Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Context
There is concern about the state of NHS in Scotland, especially GP availability.
I thank my right hon. Friend for her offer to help cut waiting lists in Scotland where we suffer from low GP appointments and disappearing slots. When will we see improvements?
In England, there are 50 million more GP appointments now every year due to our achievements. She should look at what is happening in Scotland with poor health outcomes and challenge SNP Ministers over issues like drug and alcohol death rates.
Assessment & feedback
Improvement timeline for appointment availability was not addressed
Changed Subject To Scottish Nhs Issues
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Context
There is an anomaly in the “Agenda for Change” pay deal affecting non-NHS providers, rewarding poorly run organisations and penalising well-run ones.
Will my right hon. Friend explain this anomaly in the 'Agenda for Change' pay deal as it affects non-NHS providers? People working in NHS but not employed by NHS may receive extra money if their organisation is financially troubled, but not if it isn't. This seems perverse.
I am happy to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss the matter further and support non-NHS providers whose contracts are dynamically aligned with NHS goals.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Florence Eshalomi Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Context
Evelina London Children's Hospital is one of the few specialist centers in South London, facing a decision about its primary children's centre.
The Secretary of State knows that NHS England expects to announce decisions about the primary children's centre for cancer treatment in south London. Will she agree to make this final decision as soon as possible and join me at Evelina London?
I thank her for her question, but must leave it to NHS England to finish its consultation process. I would be very happy to visit not just the Evelina, but our other wonderful hospitals that care for children.
Assessment & feedback
Specific decision timeline was not provided
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
Community pharmacies, like the one in Sandiacre due to close soon, play a crucial role with services like Pharmacy First.
With the expansion of health services through Pharmacy First, what action is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that communities such as Sandiacre, whose branch of Boots is closing at the end of this month, will not lose access to vital pharmacy services?
I am happy to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend who is a huge advocate for her constituency. Pharmacy First expanded the value and contribution of all community pharmacies, with an investment of £645 million over this year and next.
Assessment & feedback
Specific action on Sandiacre branch closure was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q20 Direct Answer
Gregory Campbell DUP
East Londonderry
Context
Rural communities may lose out due to their isolated locations, affecting access to primary care services.
On access to primary care provision, will the Secretary of State assure the House that she will liaise with Health Ministers in the devolved Departments to ensure that rural communities do not lose out because of their isolated locations?
I am very happy to give this assurance. I met Minister Swann yesterday to discuss his plans for Northern Ireland healthcare, including access to primary care.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns about the delays in approvals by MHRA and NICE.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's international recognition procedure will ensure faster access to innovative treatments, but it will realise its full potential only if it is matched by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's evaluation process. What is my right hon. Friend the Minister doing to ensure that the two processes are aligned?
My hon. Friend will be aware that there have been delays with approvals by the MHRA and NICE. We are keen to ensure that those delays are reduced, and I am delighted to tell the House that significant progress has been made in both organisations. I am happy to work with my hon. Friend and both organisations to ensure that progress continues to be made.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures for alignment between MHRA and NICE processes.
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Sarah Dyke Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Context
Figures obtained by the British Dental Association project that £8 million of the NHS budget in Somerset is going unspent.
Figures obtained by the British Dental Association project that £8 million of the NHS budget in Somerset is going unspent. Will the Minister explain to my constituent, who is suffering in dental agony, why that is happening?
I encourage the hon. Lady to hold her integrated care board to account. We invest more than £3 billion a year in dentistry, and our dental recovery plan means that significant money is available for NHS dentistry. It is for the integrated care board to commission those units of dental activity, which now offer more money—a minimum of £28 per UDA. I am happy to meet the hon. Lady if she finds she is not getting anywhere with her ICB.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address why £8 million is unspent in Somerset specifically.
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Context
Premises and dentists have been lined up for a new NHS dental practice, but the ICB needs to commission the service.
I am currently working with a brilliant local pharmacist, Fizz, to open a new NHS dental practice in Belfairs in my constituency. Premises and dentists have been lined up, but we need the ICB to commission the service. Will the Minister meet me, my local ICB and Fizz to unlock that vital service as soon as possible?
I am delighted to hear about that really good news for my hon. Friend's constituents—I know she works tirelessly for them. Of course, I will be very happy to meet her.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to meeting the local pharmacist or ICB.
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Richard Foord Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Context
Wendy Hart had a high white blood cell count when she was discharged from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, leading to her death due to sepsis.
Wendy Hart had a high white blood cell count when she was discharged from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Her husband, Terence, described a dreadful, pointless 60-mile round trip home and back to hospital before Wendy died of sepsis. Will the Minister consider distances between acute hospitals and rural communities when reviewing hospital discharge guidance?
I am very sorry to hear about what happened to the hon. Gentleman's constituent. I send my condolences to her family and loved ones. Clearly, it is very important that discharge decisions are led by clinicians, who can make a clinical decision about whether somebody is medically ready to be discharged. I have no doubt that the family may well take up that decision with local NHS organisations.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reviewing guidance based on distance from hospitals.
Response accuracy
Q25 Direct Answer
Context
No doctor wants to be on strike, so the new deal shows that being reasonable and pragmatic can deliver for members.
No doctor wants to be on strike, so I welcome the new deal with the consultant unions. It shows that by being reasonable, pragmatic and acting in good faith, unions can deliver for their members. Does my right hon. Friend agree?
My hon. Friend knows only too well the importance of industrial action and the impact it can have on patients and on the NHS as a whole. I am pleased that the BMA has announced today, following the previous settlement that was narrowly rejected in its ballot, that it has been able to get back around the table with my officials and me. We have been able to find a fair and reasonable settlement that the BMA will advocate for and recommend to its members. We hope that that shows those who are choosing to strike that constructive negotiations, and trying to sort out some of the concerns that we know clinicians have, can be dealt with in a reasonable manner, which is of benefit not just to staff, but to patients.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Context
No background provided, direct ask for statistics.
How many people were treated for acquired brain injury last year?
The hon. Gentleman has caught me off guard—I will write to him. I am keen to continue working with him on that issue. As he knows, we have already shared draft details of the acquired brain injury strategy with him and members of the all-party parliamentary group, and I am very keen to continue working collaboratively on that issue with him.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy