Health Inequalities 2023-12-05
2023-12-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expressed concerns about increasing health inequalities in her constituency.
What steps she is taking to help reduce health inequalities?
I am pleased to reiterate that Essex is receiving funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, to promote research into health inequalities and support better health outcomes for her constituents and all residents in Essex.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify any concrete steps or commitments beyond referencing funding for a general programme.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted her constituents' high patient-GP ratio and the challenges in accessing NHS services, exacerbated by industrial action.
Will she give an update on the work she is leading to address some of those issues and will she support my work and campaign locally to get a new primary health centre in Witham town?
I thank my right hon. Friend very much for her kind words... in terms of her work in Essex, she is a formidable campaigner and she will know that the decision on such a healthcare centre lies with her integrated care board, to which the Government have given some £183 million of capital funding between 2022 and 2025. I am sure she will make a compelling case to the ICB for such a centre in her constituency.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific updates on addressing health access issues but mentioned funding available for integrated care boards.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP referenced warnings from experts about widening health inequalities since 2015, which were exacerbated by the pandemic.
What else is she going to do to address in particular the socioeconomic inequalities that drive those health inequalities?
First, we are increasing the public health grant to local authorities, providing more than £3.5 billion this year... The family hubs and start for life programme will deliver a step change in outcomes for babies, children and parents in 75 local authorities in England with high deprivation.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer provided general commitments without specifying new actions beyond existing programmes and funding allocations.
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed the Health Secretary to her role and highlighted the importance of community diagnostic centres in tackling health inequalities.
Will she honour her predecessor's commitment to meet the all-party group to discuss the benefits of diagnostics in general and the preventive role that they can play in reducing health inequalities across the country?
Not only am I delighted to accept my hon. Friend's kind invitation, but I am also extremely grateful for her work in that area... We know that community diagnostic centres are an important and exciting part of healthcare in this country.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discussed the Trussell Trust's research showing one in seven people facing hunger due to insufficient funds, and the need for an essentials guarantee.
Will the Secretary of State raise with her Cabinet colleagues the Trussell Trust joint campaign with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation calling for an essentials guarantee in universal credit to ensure that the basic rate at least covers life's essentials so as to ensure that people can afford essentials such as food and heating?
Of course, conversations continue between Ministers across Government in terms of helping not just with health inequalities but with inequality of opportunity... We know that getting people into work can have enormous benefits, not just financially but, importantly, for their wellbeing. The idea behind the back to work plan is that we do it by working with people to draw out their full potential and help them to lead healthy lives.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not commit to raising the issue specifically but discussed broader efforts related to inequality of opportunity and employment support.
Response accuracy