Topical Questions 2022-11-01

2022-11-01

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Harriett Baldwin Con
West Worcestershire
Context
The MP asked about reducing ambulance waiting times and suggested using minor injuries units in community hospitals to alleviate pressure.
I congratulate the Secretary of State on his reappointment. Will he reiterate the importance of getting ambulance waiting times down? Would he endorse the use of minor injuries units in community hospitals, such as those in Malvern and Tenbury, as a very effective way to open up access through other routes for our constituents?
My hon. Friend raises an important point, particularly for category 3 and 4 ambulance journeys. As she highlights, there are numerous aspects to the challenge of ambulance delays: the blockage in the flow from social care and delayed discharge; issues in accident and emergency with pre-cohorting, post-cohorting and triaging nurses; conveyance rates, which often vary significantly between ambulance trusts; call handling, which we have put additional money into; and the work of the auxiliary service. My hon. Friend is quite right that within the portfolio of options, minor injuries units are an area that can help to relieve pressure on busy A&Es.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
The MP questioned the Secretary of State's preparedness for winter and asked about a vaccines-style taskforce promised by the Prime Minister.
I welcome the Secretary of State back and welcome his team, but I have had boxes of cereal with a longer shelf-life than Conservative Secretaries of State. As a consequence of the turnover and chaos, the truth is that the NHS is not prepared for this winter—it cannot even get allocated funds out of the door. Let us turn to the future. Over the summer, the Prime Minister promised to establish a “vaccines-style taskforce” to tackle the Conservatives' NHS backlog on “day one” and to have overall waiting list numbers falling by next year. May I ask the Secretary of State who is on that taskforce, how many times it has met and what its programme of work is?
I am grateful that the hon. Gentleman raises the issue of vaccines; in fact, I raised it in Cabinet today. The UK is the first country in the world to have introduced bivalent vaccines targeted both at omicron and at the original strain of covid-19. We have now made the covid vaccine and the flu vaccine available to all over-50s.
Assessment & feedback
The taskforce details were not addressed, instead focusing on vaccines
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
The MP criticized the Secretary of State's response on taskforce details and proposed a Labour policy for training doctors and nurses, funded by abolishing non-doms.
I can forgive the Secretary of State for mishearing the question, but what I find unbelievable is that it seems as if this is the first time he has heard about the Prime Minister's own proposed taskforce to deal with the Conservatives' NHS backlog. That is what the Prime Minister promised, and that is what I asked the Secretary of State about. This is obviously another case of the Conservatives over-promising and under-delivering. If the Secretary of State cannot stand by the Prime Minister's pledges, what about the views of the man next door? When we announced our policy to train a new generation of doctors and nurses, paid for by abolishing non-doms, it was welcomed by the Chancellor as—and I quote—“something I very much hope the government also adopts on the basis that smart governments always nick the best ideas of their opponents.” In the spirit of constructive opposition that the Secretary of State asks for, Labour has a plan to tackle the staffing crisis. The Conservatives do not. It is fully costed and paid for, so will he nick it?
The hon. Gentleman skirts over the fact that it is this Government who have opened five new medical schools, who have significantly boosted medical undergraduate training, who are investing more in our NHS as per the long-term plan, who have invested a further £36 billion as part of our covid response, and who are investing in technology and the skills of the workforce as a whole. We are boosting the number of medical trainees and—I touched on this question earlier—we are also boosting the number of doctors in training to be GPs.
Assessment & feedback
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Q4 Partial Answer
Edward Leigh Con
Gainsborough
Context
The MP raised concerns about a constituent's relative having difficulties in getting face-to-face GP appointments at a surgery run by an American company called Centene.
At a face-to-face surgery this weekend, a constituent mentioned the difficulties that a relative of hers, who has subsequently died, had had in getting a face-to-face GP appointment at a surgery run by an American company called Centene, which now covers 600,000 patients. Will the Government insist that we are fully committed to the traditional approach of a committed and caring family doctor seeing patients face to face, and that we will not allow GP surgeries to be fully commercialised?
My right hon. Friend raises an important point about face-to-face care, which matters to many constituents, but I gently remind him that in the Lincolnshire integrated care system, 71.9% of appointments were face to face in September 2022. It is not the case that every patient wants a face-to-face appointment; there can be instances in which an online service is better. For patients facing domestic violence, for example, it can often provide a much more convenient service.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The MP asked about pension tax rules that are pushing senior clinicians to reduce commitments or retire early.
The Scottish Government introduced new national guidelines to make it easier for retiring NHS staff to return to support the NHS, while drawing their pensions. However, there is a substantive issue of pension taxation rules pushing senior clinicians to reduce their commitments or retire early. As we know, pension taxation is a wholly reserved matter, so will the Minister address this issue with Cabinet colleagues in order to find a permanent solution that will allow us to help the NHS retain senior staff?
Pensions are an important issue, and I shall be meeting the Chancellor later today.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
There is a shortage of domiciliary care workers, impacting hospital discharges. This issue has led to more than 13,000 people being unnecessarily in hospitals.
More than 13,000 people who are in hospital today would be out of hospital if the care system had the necessary capacity, and most of them could go back to their own homes if we had enough domiciliary care workers. Can the Secretary of State assure me, and the House, that he will produce a proper workforce plan for the care sector as a matter of urgency?
With our colleagues in NHS England, we launched a “delayed discharge” taskforce with a “100-day challenge” over the summer; we have also set up an international recruitment taskforce within the Department to prioritise the establishment of a “clearing house for care”. This is a key area of focus.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline or detailed plan as requested.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
Context
Local GP surgeries are struggling to retain staff due to stress and burnout, impacting patient care.
I recently visited a local GP surgery which is short of a third of the staff that it needs. Surgeries are finding it increasingly difficult to retain staff owing to stress and burnout. Do the Government recognise that it is stress and burnout that make it so difficult for us to retain GPs in their profession, and for them to retain their staff? If so, what on earth are they going to do about it?
The wellbeing of staff—especially in the NHS, and especially after the pressure of the pandemic—is a crucial issue. I have focused on this since returning to the Department.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or commitments to address the issues raised by the MP.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns exist about the over-prescription of anti-psychotic drugs to care home residents with dementia who do not have a psychosis diagnosis.
Last year I raised with the Department worrying data from the Alzheimer's Society about the number of care home residents with dementia who were being prescribed anti-psychotic drugs when they did not have a psychosis diagnosis. Can my hon. Friend provide an update on the current levels of prescribing?
I am keeping a close eye on it. We must ensure that people living with dementia are prescribed anti-psychotic medication only when it is clinically appropriate, and NHS England is actively monitoring the position.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide current levels of prescription as requested.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
There are visa processing problems affecting international graduate GP trainees, causing recruitment difficulties.
The Secretary of State says that he is boosting GP trainee numbers, but according to the Royal College of General Practitioners, 49% of the more than 40% of GP trainees who are international graduates have reported visa processing problems and 17% are considering leaving the UK altogether. Why are the UK Government hamstringing the NHS with red tape, and what is the Secretary of State doing to sort this out with ministerial colleagues?
We are seeking to boost recruitment, including international recruitment, and to remove red tape. Within the GP population, however, we are looking at retention, recruitment and boosting the number of trainees.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or commitments to address visa processing issues.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is building a new hospital in Sutton, but timetables have been affected by the pandemic.
The Government have given Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust the green light to get on with improving St Helier and building a new hospital in Sutton. We know that the pandemic has had an effect on timetables, so will my hon. Friend facilitate a meeting between his Department, the Treasury and the trust to ensure that we can get a planning application in by the end of the year?
We are fully committed to delivering a new hospital in Sutton. Officials from the Department and the NHS are working closely with the trust at every step in the process.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm a meeting as requested or provide a timeline for planning application submission.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Richard Foord Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Context
There is a shortage of NHS dentists in rural areas, affecting patient access to dental care.
In rural areas such as the west country, NHS dentistry is more of a distant memory than a vital service. Does the Minister agree that more must be done to boost NHS dental services in rural areas, and will he commit himself to reforming the NHS dental services contract to ensure that it meets patient need and properly incentivises dentists to take on NHS patients?
In the hon. Gentleman's local NHS this year there were 758 active NHS dentists, up from 736 in the previous year. Steps are being taken to tackle the problem of dental deserts.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific reforms or incentives for rural areas as requested.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
GP recruitment is difficult in Kent due to proximity to high-paying jobs in London, leading to a disparity in earnings.
Members of the Kent and Medway integrated care board are doing their best to recruit more GPs, but they are finding it difficult to attract them to our area. One reason is their close proximity to London, where newly qualified GPs can earn thousands of pounds more than they can if they practise in Kent. Will my right hon. Friend consider extending the NHS London weighting allowance to Kent and Medway?
Part of the reason for having the targeted funding is so that ICSs can look at those areas under particular pressure for recruitment and do that on a place-based basis. The fund has been used by my hon. Friend's local ICS.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address extending London weighting allowance to Kent and Medway as requested.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Nadia Whittome Lab
Nottingham East
Context
Care workers are struggling with low wages and the rising cost of living, leading to deeper poverty.
Care workers were already struggling to get by on wages that hardly pay the bills, and now, with an escalating cost of living crisis, care workers in Nottingham and beyond are being pushed deeper into poverty. Does the Secretary of State back trade union calls for a £15 an hour minimum wage for care workers, and what steps is he taking to make this a reality?
Care workers should be properly paid. That includes being paid at least the national living wage, which was increased by 6.6% in April. I am also increasing the Care Quality Commission's oversight of local authority commissioning.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm support for a £15 per hour minimum wage as requested.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
MP noted that early access to scans and testing can prevent serious illness, improve health outcomes, and reduce pressure on the acute sector.
Will my right hon. Friend prioritise increasing the number of diagnostic centres across the United Kingdom and support my campaign for the establishment of one in Wimbledon town centre?
My hon. Friend is right to say that we are supporting the NHS to deliver up to 160 community diagnostic centres by March 2025, 89 of which are already operational, as part of £2.3 billion of capital funding, delivering around 2 million additional scans so far.
Assessment & feedback
Support for Wimbledon town centre campaign
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Grahame Morris Lab
Easington
Context
MP highlighted that many individuals are affected by cancer, asking for confirmation of the publication date of the 10-year cancer plan and a meeting to discuss radiotherapy.
Can the Minister confirm when the 10-year cancer plan will be published in full, and will the Minister agree to meet me and a small delegation from the all-party parliamentary group on radiotherapy?
Sadly, cancer takes far too many people before their time, and the Government are determined to improve cancer outcomes in the short term and the long term. I am very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss this further.
Assessment & feedback
Publication date of 10-year cancer plan
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
MP asked about steps being taken to improve health outcomes and early diagnosis for people with aortic dissections.
What steps is the Minister taking to improve health outcomes and early diagnosis for people with aortic dissections?
I know that my hon. Friend has a real understanding of this particular challenge. In March 2022, NHS England launched an aortic dissection toolkit to support the implementation of robust clinical pathways to identify and manage type A and type B aortic dissection.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps beyond the toolkit
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Dan Jarvis Lab
Barnsley North
Context
MP highlighted that tens of thousands of NHS workers depend on their cars for work but have not seen an increase in the NHS mileage rate since 2011.
Will the Secretary of State look at what can be done to increase NHS mileage rates?
That fits within the wider issue of how we work with and support our NHS workforce and what packages we can look at in discussion with Treasury colleagues. Of course, the approach to the NHS is also in line with other Government Departments.
Assessment & feedback
Concrete action on mileage rates
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
MP asked about actions being taken to ensure parents are aware that pre-school children can access the free nasal flu vaccine at their GP surgery.
With flu cases on the rise, what action is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that all parents are aware they can access the free nasal vaccine at their GP surgery for all pre-school children?
My hon. Friend's question gives me an opportunity to thank her for her fantastic work on vaccinations and our world-leading roll-out of vaccines across the country.
Assessment & feedback
All actions related to awareness
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Karin Smyth Lab
Bristol South
Context
MP mentioned that a care provider in their constituency is closing due to the workforce crisis, asking if there has been conversation with the new Chancellor about a workforce plan.
This month a care provider in my constituency is closing, citing the workforce crisis. Has the Secretary of State had a conversation with the new Chancellor to ask for a workforce plan on which we can all rely?
As I said, I am meeting the Chancellor later today.
Assessment & feedback
Details on conversation or plan
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
MP noted that 40% of GP appointments are now related to mental health and asked if the Secretary of State is willing to meet him regarding a fully costed plan with RN for such a scheme.
Forty per cent. of GP appointments are now related to mental health. That is why James Starkie and I launched the cross-party “No Time to Wait” campaign, which had the support of the Prime Minister when he was Chancellor. We have a fully costed plan with the Royal College of Nursing to pilot such a scheme. Is the Secretary of State willing to meet James and me?
I thank my hon. Friend for his suggestion. We are committed to boosting the mental health workforce, and I am happy to meet him to discuss his suggestions.
Assessment & feedback
Specific details on plan implementation
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Context
MP asked for an update and meeting regarding justice and compensation for victims of the Primodos hormone pregnancy drug, many of whom have died waiting.
Will the Minister update me on where the Government are in getting justice and compensation for the affected families? Many people have died. Will she meet me and other families and representatives from the campaign group to get justice for these families?
As the hon. Lady knows, there is an ongoing legal case about Primodos, but I am very happy to meet her and the campaigners because I am keen to hear their experience.
Assessment & feedback
Concrete update on progress or timeline
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Context
MP asked for the Secretary of State to commend the Stroke Association's work and meet with members of the all-party parliamentary group on stroke.
Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State commend the work of the Stroke Association and its “saving brains” campaign? And will he meet members of the all-party parliamentary group on stroke?
I am very happy to commend the work of the Stroke Association, and I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this further.
Assessment & feedback
Specifics on campaign support or funding
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Rupa Huq Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Context
MP asked for the Secretary of State to look into an opaque decision-making process regarding a respected woman pharmacist's denied NHS licence.
Will the Secretary of State look into the opaque decision-making process? Our increasing population otherwise means increasing demand, and my constituent cannot survive on private alone.
I am very happy to look at this case.
Assessment & feedback
Specific details on the review or timeline
Will Focus On
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Context
The UK has high suicide rates among under-35s, with over 200 school-aged children committing suicide annually. Two such cases occurred recently in the questioner's constituency.
Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK, with more than 200 school-aged children taking their own life every year, including two very sadly in my constituency in recent months. We have heard about the pressures on mental health services, so will the Secretary of State look at alternative ways of supporting mental health by meeting the 3 Dads team and his counterpart in the Department for Education to discuss how we can embed age-appropriate suicide awareness and prevention in schools?
Part of the reason why we are putting an extra £2.3 billion into mental health is to recognise the sensitivity and the importance of this issue. I am very happy to look at all practical suggestions.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not commit to meeting the 3 Dads team or his counterpart in the Department for Education specifically, nor discuss embedding age-appropriate suicide awareness and prevention in schools.
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
The Healthy Start scheme has seen a two-thirds reduction in spending over the last decade, as reported by The New Statesman.
The New Statesman has reported that the spend on Healthy Start has fallen by two thirds in the last decade, and this afternoon I will be presenting a Bill that would help to increase take-up. Will the Secretary of State or one of his team meet me to discuss the details of what campaigners and I are proposing so that we can make this helpful benefit reach more of the families it is intended to benefit?
I am very happy to ensure that the ministerial team engages with the hon. Lady.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not confirm a specific meeting or discuss details of her proposals.
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Context
Following a recent unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys mental health trust has an overall rating of “requires improvement.”
Following a recent unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission, some services at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys mental health trust have improved, but the trust's overall rating remains “requires improvement.” Can my right hon. Friend assure me and my constituents in Darlington that his Department will keep a laser-like focus on the trust and that he will do everything in his power to ensure the trust carries out the improvements that are so desperately needed?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. I understand he recently wrote to the Secretary of State, and we will respond shortly. NHS England and the North East and North Cumbria integrated care board have commissioned an intensive support team review of the trust, and I will keep him updated.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide a specific assurance regarding oversight or improvement implementation by the Department.
Response accuracy
Q27 Partial Answer
Context
Children discharged from neonatal care often need expensive, energy-intensive equipment which contributes to the cost of living crisis.
Children who are born premature or sick are often discharged from neonatal care with energy-intensive equipment, such as oxygen machines, which has an impact in terms of the cost of living crisis. Is the Secretary of State willing to meet Bliss and myself to look at the costs faced by families who come out of neonatal care and how we can support them better?
The Bliss charity is recognised across the House for the extremely important work it does, and I know that the ministerial team will be happy to engage with the hon. Gentleman on how we can work on the matter he raises.
Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment was made regarding a meeting or concrete support measures for families with neonatal care equipment.
Response accuracy