Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Women's Services

Wednesday 27 April 2022 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Women in Northern Ireland cannot currently access the same basic healthcare support available in the rest of the UK.
  • The minister committed to return to Parliament following the Assembly elections in May to lay regulations if necessary.
  • The minister stated that the Department of Health in Northern Ireland must make the required services available to women and girls.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
NHS Northern Ireland Women & Equalities
Context

Women in Northern Ireland face inadequate healthcare support compared to the rest of the UK, which is causing concern.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of resources for women's services in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Women in Northern Ireland cannot currently access the same basic healthcare support that is available in the rest of the UK. This is unacceptable. I have committed to return to Parliament directly following the Assembly elections in May and, if necessary, we will make regulations to ensure that services are commissioned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The adequacy of resources for women's services was not assessed specifically

How: This Is Unacceptable, We Will Make Regulations

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Q2 Rosie Duffield Ind Canterbury
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP welcomes the Secretary of State's confirmation to act on abortion services but expresses concern over missed deadlines and their health impacts.

Question

Does he understand that it is hard for women to take his word at face value after so many missed deadlines on this important issue, which will have had real health impacts? Will he please put on record that he intends to lay the regulations that he has prepared before Parliament within a month of the Queen's Speech?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I recognise the hon. Lady's support for this policy and for women in Northern Ireland. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland must make the services available to women and girls. If it does not, as I have said, I made a commitment to the House on 24 March via a written ministerial statement that I will make regulations to resolve this unacceptable situation that must be fixed for the people and the ladies of Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The timeframe for laying regulations was not committed to specifically

How: Department Of Health In Northern Ireland Must Act

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Q3 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP welcomes the Secretary of State's assurances but seeks a concrete timeline when women in Northern Ireland will be able to access essential reproductive healthcare services.

Question

Does he have a date in mind when women in Northern Ireland will be able to access this essential reproductive healthcare service? When will they actually be able to get the service that this House voted for over two years ago?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I am sure that the right hon. Lady recognises that this has primarily been an issue for the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver on. I have been clear: they have not done that, that is not good enough and we need to resolve that issue. We are already recruiting the team from my Department to put the commissioning in place. I will return to the House soon after the May elections if that has not been progressed by the Department of Health to lay the regulations to ensure that these services are provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: A specific date was not committed to

How: Recruiting Team From My Department

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