Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Health Inequalities

Tuesday 6 December 2022 · 6 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister acknowledged the importance of addressing health disparities to level up productivity in the north.
  • Minister offered to speak to a dental practice in Darlington facing closure to tackle the issue.
  • Minister stated that community diagnostic centres are being rolled out to improve access to services in rural areas.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Robinson Con
NHS Economy Employment
Context

The MP raises concerns about the persistent disparities in healthcare affecting different regions of the UK.

Question

What plans does he have to reduce health inequalities? The research by the University of Manchester adds to a significant body of evidence showing that addressing disparities in healthcare is key to levelling up. Inequalities have resulted in a 30% productivity gap in the north, which can be attributed to poorer health.

Answer from Neil O'Brien

I saw that important report, and we have to tackle the problem from both the health end and the economic end. Spending on health in the north grew from £36.5 billion in 2018-19 to £52.6 billion in 2020, so there is significant investment in health and preventing ill health in the north. Economic activity stops people sliding into a cycle of ill health and worklessness, and we are working jointly with the Department for Work and Pensions to roll out more disability employment advisers in jobcentres.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how residents in the north will be ensured equitable access to healthcare services specifically.

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Q2 Peter Gibson
NHS
Context

The MP raises concerns about the potential closure of a dental surgery in Darlington, affecting 7,000 patients due to systemic issues within NHS dentistry.

Question

Levelling up is not just about jobs and infrastructure; it is about healthcare too, and dentistry is a key part of that. However, Darlington faces the potential closure of its surgery, which serves 7,000 patients, because the current system of NHS dentistry makes the business case for that surgery unviable. What will my hon. Friend do to ensure that we level up dental services so that my constituents can get the services that they need?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

My hon. Friend and I have discussed this, and we are due to meet again shortly. I repeat my offer to speak both to that practice and to local partners so that we can tackle this crucial problem.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not outline specific steps or commitments towards ensuring equitable dental care access.

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Q3 Mary Robinson Con
NHS Economy
Context

The MP highlights research indicating significant disparities in health outcomes between northern regions and other parts of the UK.

Question

Research by the University of Manchester adds to the significant body of evidence showing that addressing disparities in healthcare is key to levelling up. Inequalities have resulted in a 30% productivity gap in the north, which can be attributed to poorer health. Will my hon. Friend outline how the Government are working to address this and to ensure that residents of the north are not at a health and care disadvantage?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

I saw that important report, and we have to tackle the problem from both the health end and the economic end. Spending on health in the north grew from £36.5 billion in 2018-19 to £52.6 billion in 2020, so there is significant investment in health and preventing ill health in the north.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how residents of the north will be ensured equitable access specifically.

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Q4 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
NHS Scotland
Context

The MP discusses a case where pregnant mothers in Caithness have to travel long distances for maternity care due to changes in Scottish Government decisions.

Question

I will give the Minister a good example of health inequality. Until quite recently, we had a perfectly good consultant-led maternity service based in Caithness. Following the Scottish Government's rubber-stamping decisions, pregnant mothers now have to make a 200-mile return journey to Inverness to give birth. That glaring inequality is despicable. I hope His Majesty's Government will share best practice with the Scottish Government on tackling this problem.

Answer from Neil O'Brien

I am always keen to work constructively with the Scottish Government. This sounds like a serious problem. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out how we are using our health and capital spend more efficiently, and unfortunately this is an example of where it is not happening in Caithness.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not outline any specific steps or plans for collaboration with the Scottish Government.

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Q5 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
NHS Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP highlights documented health disparities between rural and urban areas, specifically mentioning difficulties accessing services for the most vulnerable.

Question

It is well documented that people in rural areas have worse health outcomes than people in urban areas. One driver is that the most vulnerable people lack access to the services they need. Will the Minister consider working with his colleagues in the Department for Transport to figure out how the most vulnerable people can access the healthcare they need?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

We are rolling out community diagnostic centres to bring services closer to those who need them, and we are investing in 21,200 extra people working in general practice to make sure that rural services, as well as services in the rest of the country, are improved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how specific collaboration with transport colleagues will improve healthcare access in rural areas.

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Q6 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
NHS
Context

The MP criticises the government for failing to meet their promise of extending healthy life expectancy by five years, citing delays in health-related strategies.

Question

In 2019, the Tories promised to extend healthy life expectancy by five years, but on this they are failing. In the last year, the health disparities White Paper has disappeared, the tobacco control plan has been delayed and they have chickened out on implementing the obesity strategy because the Prime Minister is too cowardly to stand up to his Back Benchers. Health inequalities are widening as a consequence. Does the Minister plan to revive any of these strategies, or have the Conservatives completely given up on prevention?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

I have already talked about some of the things we are doing to crack on with improving public health and narrowing inequalities, but I will add some more. We are driving up blood donations from shortage groups and vaccine uptake in areas with the lowest uptake.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics or timelines for reviving previously promised strategies like obesity prevention.

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