Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Health and Social Care Integration

Tuesday 13 April 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Antony Higginbotham raised concerns about the need for effective integration between health and social care systems to improve patient outcomes and efficiency.
  • The Minister emphasized the importance of interoperability in health and care data to harness the benefits of technology and innovation for a future-ready system.
  • Martyn Day questioned the government's commitment to social care, noting the Scottish Government's progress in this area, to which the Minister responded that the White Paper does mention social care and further reforms will be detailed later in the year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Antony Higginbotham
NHS Social Care
Context

The MP is seeking information on steps being taken to support integration in the healthcare system.

Question

What steps he is taking to support integration within the health and social care system. I am concerned about the need for effective integration between these two systems to improve patient outcomes and efficiency.

Answer from Helen Whately

We want health and social care to be joined up effectively, with the different parts of our system working together to meet people's needs. The health and care White Paper sets out our plans for integrated care systems, which will not only join up local NHS organisations but strengthen collaboration among the health service, local authorities and others involved in social care.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Antony Higginbotham
NHS Social Care Science & Technology
Context

The MP is asking about the role of technology and innovation in supporting the effective sharing of information among different health professionals.

Question

One thing that will really help the integration of health and social care is the better use of technology and innovation, but one of the barriers we face is the sharing of information among different clinicians, general practitioners, hospitals and social care settings. So, will my hon. Friend confirm that as part of the plans for better integration we are looking at how data and information can be shared much more effectively?

Answer from Helen Whately

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: interoperability is essential to harness the potential benefits of health and care data for individuals and to create a health and care system that is fit for the future. We are going to legislate to ensure more effective data sharing across the health and care system and will outline our plans in the upcoming data strategy for health and social care.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Martyn Day SNP
NHS Social Care
Context

The MP is questioning whether the Government's White Paper includes mention or steps towards reforming social care.

Question

Despite the incredible challenges of the past year, neither the Government's White Paper nor the Budget even mentioned social care. Health and care integration has been progressing in Scotland since 2014, and the Scottish Government have committed to developing a national care service and ensure equity throughout Scotland. Will the Minister make such a commitment for England?

Answer from Helen Whately

Actually, I have to disagree with the hon. Member: the White Paper does mention social care and includes several steps on the path to the reform of social care. We will bring forward further information about social care reforms later this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for a commitment but received acknowledgment without specific new details or timelines.

How: Disagreement

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Martyn Day SNP
Social Care Scotland
Context

The MP is concerned about the role of sufficient staffing in delivering integration and service improvement, noting that Scotland has already taken steps to value their workforce.

Question

Integration and service improvement cannot be delivered without sufficient social care staff. The Scottish Government already fund the real living wage for social care staff in Scotland, have included them in the £500 thank-you bonus, and plan to standardise pay and training. Does the Minister not recognise that the only way to attract people to build a career in social care is by valuing care staff?

Answer from Helen Whately

I agree with the hon. Member that it is essential that we value social care staff. Just as we have valued NHS staff during the pandemic, so we have rightly recognised the vital contribution of the social care workforce. We must continue to value our social care workforce, for which we plan to bring forward proposals as part of our social care reforms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked if the Minister recognises the importance but received agreement without specifics on current actions or timelines.

How: Agreement

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email