Integrated Health and Care Services 2021-11-23
2021-11-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP invited the Secretary of State to visit a hospital in his constituency that exemplifies integrated care services.
Will the Secretary of State come with me to visit Townlands Community Hospital in my constituency, where we have built into the process of keeping the hospital going a real potential for the integration of NHS and social care services? It would be good if I were able to share that with him.
I would be pleased to visit the hospital with my hon. Friend. I know that the site to which he refers is multi-disciplinary and provides rehabilitation and palliative care together and is doing well at it. It is an excellent example of good integration at work.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about the guarantee of different groups having a seat at the table in integrated care boards.
I apologise for once again returning to the subject of integrated care boards. One important question remains unanswered following yesterday's debate. If we are to have truly integrated health and social care, all voices need a seat at the table: public health; social care; mental health; the workforce; and, of course, patients and carers. As matters currently stands, there is nothing guaranteeing each of those groups a seat at the table. I am sure that the Secretary of State will agree that none of them should be missed out, so what will he do, for example, if an ICB decides to exclude the patient's voice?
That is an important point, which is why the Government have listened to it. The hon. Gentleman will know that a lot of consultation was done before the Bill that he refers to was presented. In terms of voices around the table in the ICB, we have deliberately set up a permissive system that allows those local voices to be catered for, and for local decisions to be made.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment on guaranteeing all groups' representation
We Have Listened
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised the issue of early diagnosis for type 2 and type 1 diabetics, highlighting the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.
When it comes to the integration of health and care services, it is very important that we have early diagnosis. The covid-19 pandemic has shown that there are some 200,000 potential type 2 and type 1 diabetics. What can be done to address the issue of diabetes, speaking as one who is a diabetic?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise that as one of the unintended impacts of the pandemic. The reassurance that I can offer him is that there is close co-operation across the devolved Administrations when it comes to working on those impacts. NHS England is working with the health service in Northern Ireland to see what more can be done.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific measures mentioned for addressing diabetes issues
Close Co-Operation
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquired about the benefits of yesterday's votes on integrated care systems and social care cap for his constituents.
Can the Secretary of State outline the ways in which yesterday's votes on integrated care systems and the increased social care cap will benefit my constituents in Redcar and Cleveland?
I am very happy to do so. My hon. Friend will know that the system that we set out back in September for social care will mean that no one loses out. In fact, when it comes to receiving social care in the future, the vast majority of people across the country will be better off, including his constituents.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific benefits mentioned for Redcar and Cleveland constituents
Vast Majority
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP asked about the UK Government's plans and the urgency of providing funding for social care, highlighting the impact on A&E functioning.
While the Scottish Government are taking action to establish a national care service in Scotland, the UK Government's plans allocate the bulk of the money raised over the first three years of the national insurance rise to the NHS backlog. Does the Secretary of State agree that A&E functioning is greatly impacted by the lack of beds due to delayed discharges to social care? Will his Department provide urgent funding for the critical support for social care?
The Government have provided urgent funding, especially because of the impact of the pandemic. We have put more than £34 billion extra into health and social care, with the relevant Barnett consequentials, from which Scotland will benefit. The issue of delayed discharges is important to continue working on and addressing, exactly why NHS England has a delayed discharge fund of almost £500 million for this winter.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy