Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regional Health Inequalities

Tuesday 19 April 2022 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions addressed regional health inequalities on 2022-04-19.
  • The Secretary of State stated the NHS has its largest-ever budget and workforce.
  • The Secretary offered to meet MPs to discuss fertility treatment and mental health service inequalities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney
NHS
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding amounts or commitments addressing health inequalities were not provided

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Q2 Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney
NHS
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific funding for health inequalities

How: Wrong Of Her To Suggest, Largest Investment

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Q3 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
NHS Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Sajid Javid

My hon. Friend, I will be happy to meet her and discuss this further, which includes our upcoming women's health strategy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the postcode lottery directly

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Q4 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
NHS
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Sajid Javid

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.

Not addressed: Did not acknowledge failure or address health inequalities directly

How: Long Running Inequalities, No Clear Approach

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Q5 Jonathan Gullis
Mental Health
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Sajid Javid

Yes, I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend and others to discuss the campaign further as he speaks passionately about it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details or commitments for mental health nurse provision

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