Regional Health Inequalities 2022-04-19
2022-04-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a decade of under-investment and mismanagement leading to severe issues in health services, including 4.5 million people on waiting lists and staff shortages of more than 100,000 before the pandemic.
A decade of under-investment and mismanagement have left 4.5 million people on waiting lists and staff shortages of over 100,000 even before we entered the pandemic, exacerbating health inequalities. People in constituencies like mine are twice as likely to end up on a waiting list for treatment longer than a year compared to better-off areas.
We have the largest NHS investment ever, with its budget this year bigger than Greece's GDP. It is also the highest workforce level in NHS history. We will publish a health disparities White Paper later this year focusing on prevention to improve health for all.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific funding amounts or commitments addressing health inequalities were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The previous question highlighted under-investment leading to staffing shortages, waiting lists, and disparities in healthcare access. The Health Secretary was praised for efforts but questioned on necessary investment.
While welcoming the work done by his Department, the questioner notes that people living in constituencies like hers are twice as likely to end up on a waiting list longer than a year compared to better-off areas due to under-investment and mismanagement. She asks for appropriate investment to address these health inequalities.
It is incorrect to suggest that current challenges are due to under-investment or a smaller workforce. The NHS has its largest-ever budget and workforce, with billions of pounds invested annually, along with unprecedented social care funding.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific funding for health inequalities
Wrong Of Her To Suggest
Largest Investment
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of cruel health inequality is highlighted in fertility treatment access, with only six out of 106 CCGs limiting the age for IVF to 35. There is a postcode lottery present.
Surely one of the most cruel health inequalities is in fertility treatment, where only six out of 106 CCGs limit the age at which women can have IVF treatment to 35. She asks if the Secretary of State will meet her to discuss how they can end this devastating postcode lottery.
My hon. Friend, I will be happy to meet her and discuss this further, which includes our upcoming women's health strategy.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the postcode lottery directly
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
People in deprived parts of England are almost three times more likely to lose their lives from an avoidable cause than those in less deprived areas. The Resolution Foundation estimates 1.3 million people will be pushed into poverty due to the Chancellor's spring statement.
Warm words, but people in the most deprived areas are nearly three times as likely to die from avoidable causes compared to least deprived areas. With the cost of living soaring and an estimated 1.3 million pushed into poverty by the Chancellor's spring statement, those inequalities will worsen. Why won't he admit this Government has failed the poorest communities?
Health inequalities are long-standing, not just emerging under this Government. This administration is putting record investment and ideas to tackle them. Labour has no clear approach to these challenges.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not acknowledge failure or address health inequalities directly
Long Running Inequalities
No Clear Approach
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent statistics show that in Stoke-on-Trent, people are taking their own lives at double the national average. There is a campaign for mental health nurses in GP surgeries to improve access to help.
It is unacceptable that waiting times and session numbers for mental health services differ according to location. In Stoke-on-Trent, people take their own lives twice as often compared to the national average. Supporting the cross-party 'No Time To Wait' campaign, he asks his right hon. Friend to meet him and others to discuss making this possible.
Yes, I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend and others to discuss the campaign further as he speaks passionately about it.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide details or commitments for mental health nurse provision
Response accuracy