Topical Questions 2023-04-25

2023-04-25

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Rupa Huq Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Context
RCN proposed strike action, NHS Employers requested government intervention due to RCN's failure to amend plans.
The right to choose sounds attractive but leaves the NHS with astronomical bills. Will the Secretary of State visit Central Middlesex Hospital to see how private treatment destabilises NHS budgets?
I am always happy to praise the brilliant work of clinicians up and down the NHS. The Government supports patient choice, maximising capacity in the independent sector.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not commit to visiting Central Middlemesd Hospital or praising specific clinicians there.
Shifts Focus From Rcn Strike Action Towards Benefits Of Patient Choice
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Rupa Huq Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Context
RCN proposed strike action, NHS Employers requested government intervention due to RCN's failure to amend plans.
A 13-year-old girl has seen her operation cancelled twice because of the junior doctors' strike. Why is the Secretary of State still refusing to negotiate with junior doctors?
The Government shows willingness to engage through meaningful, constructive engagement and negotiation but finds BMA's 35% demand unaffordable and unrealistic.
Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to negotiate with junior doctors immediately or address specific issues raised by the MP.
Emphasises Affordability Concerns, Previous Successful Negotiations
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
RCN proposed strike action, NHS Employers requested government intervention due to RCN's failure to amend plans.
Why is the Secretary of State not negotiating today? The BMA will not budge on 35%, they have no preconditions and no planned strikes. Is he blaming junior doctors for NHS waiting lists?
The current industrial dispute is not a result of 13 years of incompetence but rather an unaffordable and unrealistic BMA demand. The Government stands ready to negotiate with the junior doctors.
Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to immediate negotiation or address blame accusations directly.
Points Out Previous Successful Negotiations, Reiterates Affordability Concerns
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
MP requests similar campaign for pharmacists as bowel cancer awareness.
Following the excellent television campaign on bowel cancer, can we have a similar campaign to highlight the importance of pharmacists and ease pressure on GPs?
The Government is committed to enabling patients to get the right care from the right place at the right time, including through technology such as the NHS app.
Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to specific campaign for pharmacists or patient choice initiatives.
Promotes General Patient Empowerment Through Technology
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
Assessment of superbug origin in industrial farming.
What assessment has the Department made of antimicrobial resistance to superbugs originating in industrial farming?
The UK takes a 'one health' national approach to AMR and has seen reductions in veterinary antibiotic sales and antimicrobial resistance.
Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to specific assessment of superbugs from industrial farming.
Promotes General Reduction Efforts
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The BMJ warns against the TPP trade deal's impact on public health.
Given that no health impact assessment has been carried out, will the Secretary of State commit to assessing the deal's threat to public health?
The UK has strong standards for control and has no plans to get rid of these things.
Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to a health impact assessment for the trade deal.
States No Intention To Debate Existing Standards
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
A 13-year-old girl has seen her operation cancelled twice because of the junior doctors' strike.
Why is the Secretary of State refusing to negotiate with junior doctors when their demands are unaffordable and unrealistic at 35%? He says that he cannot negotiate until strikes end; there are no planned strikes, so will he sit down now?
The Government has shown willingness to engage and reach settlement through meaningful negotiation with NHS Staff Council. The BMA's 35% demand is not reasonable.
Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to immediate negotiations or acknowledge lack of planned strikes.
Emphasises Affordability Concerns, Previous Successful Negotiations
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Feedback from Suffolk-based NHS dentists indicates a significant backlog for overseas dentists applying to take the Overseas Registration Examination. More than 3,000 applicants are on the waiting list with only 150 exams per month.
Notwithstanding the work that the Government have done, there is still a very long waiting list for overseas dentists to take the Overseas Registration Examination, affecting dentists starting in the NHS. There are more than 3,000 applicants and only 150 exams taking place each month. I urge my hon. Friend to leave no stone unturned in working with the General Dental Council to eliminate this waiting list as quickly as possible.
We are leaving no stone unturned. Last month, we passed legislation enabling the GDC to increase the capacity of the ORE. We have also made it easier for overseas dentists to start working in the NHS: as of 1 April, no dentist will need to pay an application fee. We also want to radically reduce the time that dentists spend in performers list validation by experience, and we will set out further steps in our dentistry plan.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify a timeline for eliminating the waiting list or concrete actions beyond legislative changes.
We Are Leaving No Stone Unturned
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Kim Leadbeater Lab
Spen Valley
Context
A severe national shortage of psychiatric intensive care beds means that people, including constituents, have to travel hundreds of miles for treatment. This is a critical issue affecting mental health services.
What is the Secretary of State doing to tackle the severe national shortage of desperately needed psychiatric intensive care beds, which means that people, including some of my constituents, have to travel hundreds of miles to see their loved ones?
We are spending an additional £2.3 billion a year on mental health services, and we have recently announced £150 million for crisis community support, because we are trying to reduce the number of people being admitted in the first place by treating them at an earlier point in their mental health illness. That will free up beds, but it will take time. Community crisis intervention is the way in which we want to make progress.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify a timeline for addressing the shortage or concrete actions beyond funding increases and support initiatives.
It Will Take Time Community Crisis Intervention
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The growth cap in the voluntary pricing agreement (VPAS) between the pharmaceutical industry and Government makes the size of the medicines rebate unpredictable, leading to uncertainty among investors. This affects UK investment compared to other countries like Germany and Ireland.
Investors need certainty and the British people need access to more medicines. The growth cap in the voluntary pricing agreement (VPAS) for branded medicines between the pharmaceutical industry and Government makes the size of the medicines rebate unpredictable. Will the Minister remove the growth gap from the 2024 VPAS for branded medicines pricing and access, to supercharge investment that is currently leaking to Germany and Ireland?
I can certainly ensure the House that we are seeking a mutually beneficial voluntary scheme that supports patient outcomes, a strong life sciences industry and a financially sustainable NHS. We have been working directly with industry to understand the impact of changes to VPAS on investments into the UK life sciences sector, and we remain firmly committed to VPAS, which, it is important to say, has saved the NHS billions of pounds and saved millions of lives by supporting patients with life-threatening conditions and giving them rapid access to new medicines.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not commit to removing the growth cap or providing certainty for investors.
Remain Committed Working Directly
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Jeff Smith Lab
Manchester Withington
Context
551 patients have lost their sight due to delayed eye doctor appointments since 2019, with the current ophthalmology appointment backlog standing at 630,000. This is a significant issue in Manchester.
I was very grateful to get fantastic treatment for a detached retina at the brilliant Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, but 551 patients have lost their sight as a result of delayed eye doctor appointments since 2019, and the backlog for ophthalmology appointments is, at 630,000, the second largest in the country. The treatments are there, but what will the Government do to sort that problem out?
First, I very much welcome the good care that the hon. Gentleman received, and it is great to see him back in the Chamber. On the wider issue, that is why we have an elective recovery plan, in which we have applied a boost in capacity, particularly through the surgical hubs. We are looking at how we build greater resilience, especially in winter, when elective beds are often under pressure. We are also investing in areas such as eye treatment, and we are rolling out through Getting It Right First Time a programme of improvement in a range of areas, including that one.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific actions to address the backlog directly.
Looking At How
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
Provision for special educational needs and child and adolescent mental health services is a major issue in Leicestershire. One of the government's plans was to introduce school mental health support teams, aiming for 35% coverage by 2023.
Provision for special educational needs and child and adolescent mental health services is one of the biggest issues in my inbox in Leicestershire, particularly in respect of delays in assessment and diagnosis. One of the Government's plans was to introduce school mental health support teams. The Health and Social Care Committee heard that the aim was that 35% of pupils should be covered by 2023. May we have an update on progress and on when we are likely to reach 100%?
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I am happy to update the House, as we have already achieved 35% coverage. By the end of the month, we expect to have 399 operational mental health support teams, covering 3 million children and young people. We plan to go further, with over 500 such teams by spring 2024.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The head teachers at Leftwich Community Primary School in the constituency raised concerns about accessing NHS dentists for children and families. This is a widespread issue affecting dental care access.
Last week, I visited Leftwich Community Primary School in my constituency. The joint head teachers raised the desperate attempts that are made to secure NHS dentists for children and families in the community. Aside from publishing a plan, will Ministers intervene and make sure that this happens in Cheshire and Merseyside, and throughout the country?
Absolutely. We have already taken action to increase the provision of dentistry, and that has begun to have an effect. Activity—the number of people seen—is up by a fifth over the past year as a result of the reforms that we have begun to make by reforming the old contract, but we must go further.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify additional intervention measures beyond previous actions.
Must Go Further
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
One of the questioner's constituents, Bethany Whitehead, suffers from FND and has often been left waiting two to three years before seeing a consultant. This reflects broader access issues for FND patients.
One of my constituents, Bethany Whitehead, suffers from functional neurological disorder (FND), which often presents with debilitating symptoms. Bethany has often been left waiting two to three years before seeing a consultant. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this further?
My hon. Friend makes a really important point. I can say to her here and now that functional neurological disorder was previously regarded through a diagnosis of exclusion. It now has a rule-in diagnosis with available treatments, which is a major step forward in destigmatising the disorder. I am very happy to meet her to discuss this further.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns have been raised about UK patients struggling to access GP appointments from chain GP practices, with some having very low ratios of GPs to patients. This is a systemic issue affecting primary healthcare.
As chair of the all-party parliamentary health group, I have heard from UK patients who struggle to access GP appointments from chain GP practices. Many of those practices have very low ratios of GPs to patients, including, in one case, only two GPs registered for 30,000 patients. Will the Department meet the APPG to address these grave concerns?
We have increased real-terms spending on general practice by over a fifth since 2016, and as a result there are now 10% more appointments happening every month. We are grateful to GPs for that. We have more doctors and clinicians, but we want to keep going, and I am happy to discuss this with anyone who has useful ideas to keep us powering forward.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not commit to a meeting or specific action regarding GP appointment access in chain practices.
Happy To Discuss
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
David Davis Con
Goole and Pocklington
Context
The NHS database's value was highlighted in a meeting with business. Previous attempts to open the database have been problematic.
Yesterday, when the Prime Minister met business, the huge value of the NHS database was highlighted. Unfortunately, the previous occasions on which the NHS has tried to open its database have been unmitigated disasters. Will the Secretary of State give an undertaking to stick closely to the recommendations of the Goldacre report so that we can deliver the database while protecting the privacy of patients?
It is a huge opportunity. My right hon Friend and I have discussed this matter outside the Chamber, and I met Ben Goldacre in the summer to discuss his fantastic work in the context of covid. It is absolutely right that, given the potential of artificial intelligence, there are huge opportunities in relation to health inequalities and allowing us to better target provision. One thing that we are trying to build into the NHS app is the ability to better empower the patient to decide what they wish to sign up to and what they would like their data shared with.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide an undertaking to stick closely to the recommendations of the Goldacre report.
Discussed Outside The Chamber Empower Patient Consent
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Dan Jarvis Lab
Barnsley North
Context
Cancer rates in the UK are expected to rise by a third by 2040, leading to half a million new cases annually. This necessitates a long-term, fully funded cancer plan.
By 2040, cancer rates in the UK are expected to rise by a third. That is half a million new cases each year, so hundreds of thousands of lives literally depend on the Government implementing a long-term, fully funded, comprehensive plan for cancer. Will the Secretary of State recommit to a 10-year cancer plan?
We are committed to a major conditions paper, not least because many people with cancer have multiple conditions; that is why it is important that we look at these issues in the round. With the Minister for Social Care, I had a very useful roundtable with key stakeholders, including the cancer charities. The key issue is that as part of our work on cancer checks, over 320,000 more people are receiving treatment for cancer compared with last year—that is around fifth higher—and we are expanding our capacity through the diagnostic centres, the surgical hubs and the expansion of the workforce.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not recommit to a 10-year cancer plan.
Committed To Major Conditions Paper
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
St Rocco's Hospice in Warrington faces difficulties raising funds. This affects the provision of palliative and end-of-life care.
St Rocco's Hospice in Warrington provides invaluable palliative and end-of-life care for families. However, the charities that run hospices around the UK are finding it incredibly difficult to raise funds. Will the Minister give us an assurance that she is working very closely with the sector to ensure that those services continue to be provided?
My hon Friend makes a really important point about the very important work that hospices do in our communities, and I fully support hospices as a sector. The funding for hospices generally comes through the NHS and the local integrated care boards that commission the services they provide, as well as, of course, from their own fundraising efforts. I am speaking to NHS England about the support it provides to hospices, because I am very keen to make sure that they get the support that they need.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide an assurance regarding close work with the sector.
Speaking To Nhs England
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Tim Farron Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Context
A draft business case exists for a satellite radiotherapy unit at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal to reduce travel time for cancer patients.
I have in my hands the draft business case for a satellite radiotherapy unit at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal. If it is approved and commissioned, residents in my community who have cancer will no longer have to travel two, three or four-hour round trips every day to get lifesaving treatment; they will be able to get it closer to home. Will Ministers meet me and the clinical specialists who helped draft the business case, so that we can make it come to fruition?
Yes, I am very happy to meet the hon Member.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
The approach to clinical trials during the covid-19 vaccines was successful, and there is potential for future medicines.
Building on the novel approach to clinical trials that was so successful for the covid-19 vaccines, what more is the Department doing to capture that success and the willingness of volunteers to come forward, as well as to streamline processes across participating bodies for clinical trials of future medicines?
My hon Friend is right to raise this issue. Over 12,000 more participants a month are recruited into clinical trials than before the pandemic, but we recognise that there is much more to do in order to be internationally competitive, including around regulation and speed of approval. I am pleased to say that in the coming weeks, Lord OShaughnessy will publish his independent review into UK clinical trials, and I very much look forward to receiving his recommendations.
Assessment & feedback
The Department did not provide specific actions being taken beyond acknowledging progress and future plans.
12,000 More Participants Per Month Future Review
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Diana R. Johnson Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Context
A shortage of dentists necessitates a dental school proposal with cross-party support in the Humber region.
When we had a shortage of doctors, the last Labour Government established the Hull York Medical School. We now have a shortage of dentists, so it is time for a Hull York dental school. This proposal has cross-party support in the Humber, so I wonder whether a delegation of MPs could meet the Minister to discuss taking the initiative forward.
I am very happy to meet the right hon Lady as we work towards the workforce plan and the dental plan.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Direct Answer
Context
BUPA recently closed the dental practice in Bolsover, leading to a severe shortage of NHS dentistry.
The Minister is aware that BUPA recently closed the dental practice in Bolsover, leaving a severe shortage of NHS dentistry in the constituency. I met the ICB yesterday to discuss the various options for the constituency, but will the Minister commit to meeting me and the ICB to talk through those options and see what we can do to maintain NHS dentistry in Bolsover?
I have already met my hon Friend, but I am very happy to meet him and his ICB to make sure that we commission the services that are so needed locally.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy