Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 17 October 2023 · 16 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial responsibility includes launching a new 30 million fund to speed up tech adoption in the NHS.
  • The Secretary of State confirmed enabling works approval for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust hospital transformation programme.
  • The Government are taking measures to increase flexibility in dental regulation and boost overseas recruitment for dentists.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aaron Bell
NHS Science & Technology
Context

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has launched a new £30 million fund to speed up the adoption of technology in the NHS.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The MP noted the launch of a new £30 million fund to speed up tech adoption across the NHS, with local pilots proving their effectiveness but taking too long to be rolled out nationally. He asked for confirmation that this fund is being used to expedite the roll-out and mentioned additional medical school places.

Answer from Steve Barclay

First, may I welcome Opposition Front-Bench Members to their new roles, as there have been changes since we last met? Since then, we have launched a new £30 million fund to speed up the adoption of tech across the NHS. Even when local pilots prove their effectiveness, it often takes too long for those innovations to be rolled out nationally. This fund can change that, giving integrated care systems across England the chance to invest in tech that is proven to improve care, for instance in detecting cancer sooner. These investments will be made this financial year, getting patients care faster. We are also making more than 200 more medical school places available for universities from next September, accelerating a commitment that we made in the NHS long-term workforce plan and delivering more doctors to areas that need them most.

Answered
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Q2 Aaron Bell
NHS
Context

The MP met with Dr Khan of Westbury Park dental practice to discuss access to NHS dentistry, which is becoming more difficult for many constituents. There are plans to increase the number of dentists but these will take time.

Question

On dental provision, I recently met with Dr Khan of Westbury Park dental practice in my constituency to discuss access to NHS dentistry, which is becoming more difficult for many of my constituents. The MP welcomed the plans to increase the number of dentists and reiterated support for a dental school at Keele University but stated these will take time. He asked about steps being taken to expedite registration exams for overseas clinicians.

Answer from Steve Barclay

He is right that we are taking both long-term and short-term actions. A key part of the long-term workforce plan is to boost the number of dentists being trained. In the more immediate term, earlier this year we made legislative changes that give the General Dental Council the flexibility to improve the way professionals are registered, giving more flexibility in terms of the skills mix and, for example, tripling the number of people sitting part 1 this year, so that more overseas professionals can be recognised and qualified to practise in the UK.

Answered
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Q3 Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North
NHS
Context

In Mid Bedfordshire, last year, 165 children had teeth removed due to tooth decay. Some 800 patients were forced into A&E for the same reason and 100,000 people across the region cannot get access to an NHS dentist.

Question

Last year, in Mid Bedfordshire, 165 children had their teeth removed due to tooth decay and some 800 patients were forced into A&E for this reason. The MP noted that 100,000 people across the region cannot get access to an NHS dentist. He reiterated Labour's plan to provide 700,000 extra dentistry appointments every year.

Answer from Steve Barclay

Since 2010, we have had 6.5% more dentists, a quarter more appointments and, as we have just touched on, increasing flexibility in regulation and boosting overseas recruitment. It is striking that one area of the country that the shadow Secretary of State does not want to talk about is Wales, which has a record of what a Labour Government will deliver. Indeed, the Leader of the Opposition says that he wants Wales to be the “blueprint” for what the NHS would be in England. There, this week, we have seen a fiddling of the figures on health.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address specific steps being taken to improve child dental health and access to dentistry, but instead criticised Labour's approach by referring to Wales' NHS record.

How: Criticising Opposition, Changing Subject

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Q4 Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North
NHS
Context

Across the country, the No.1 reason children aged six to 10 are admitted to hospital is tooth decay.

Question

The MP noted that across the country, the No.1 reason children aged six to 10 are admitted to hospital is tooth decay and asked if the Secretary of State would adopt the modest measure proposed by Labour to introduce national supervised tooth brushing for small children as a low-cost, high-impact method to keep teeth clean.

Answer from Steve Barclay

We are reforming the NHS workforce more fundamentally, looking at how we expand the roles that dental hygienists and dental therapists can perform. We are looking at how we can boost training, which is why we have made the commitment for more dentists in the long-term workforce plan, backed by £2.4 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address whether he will adopt the proposal and instead talked about broader NHS workforce reforms and training commitments.

How: Changing Subject

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Q5 Philip Dunne Con
NHS
Context

There is a £312 million capital investment to transform the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust acute hospitals. The MP asked if this project was on track.

Question

The MP inquired about the status of the £312 million capital investment to transform the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust acute hospitals, asking for confirmation that it is on track through the NHS approval process with its outline business case so that construction can commence during this financial year.

Answer from Will Quince

My right hon. Friend has long championed this cause. I hope it is good news that I am able to confirm that enabling works have recently been approved for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust hospital transformation programme and are expected to commence this financial year. I can also confirm that funding has been provided for the development of the full business case and is expected to be submitted in the coming months.

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Q6 Amy Callaghan
Economy Mental Health
Context

New research by UNICEF UK shows that the cost of living crisis has badly hit the mental health of families with young children. Rising prices and services gutted by austerity have left 60% of parents feeling overwhelmed, anxious, unsupported and lonely all or most of the time.

Question

The MP noted new research by UNICEF UK showing that the cost of living crisis has badly hit the mental health of families with young children. Rising prices and services gutted by austerity have left 60% of parents feeling overwhelmed, anxious, unsupported and lonely all or most of the time. The MP asked what representations the Secretary of State had made to his Cabinet colleagues ahead of the autumn statement.

Answer from Steve Barclay

That shows just how divorced the SNP line of questioning is from the reality of funding. The funding for mental health is £2.3 billion more this year than it was four years ago. We are funding 160 mental health crisis cafés and we have a programme of mental health support teams being rolled out in our schools, all of which is subject to Barnett consequentials on which the Scottish Government receive money. This Government are committed to investing in mental health. That is what we are doing. The question for the Scottish Government is why they are not getting the same results that we are.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address specific representations made and instead criticised the SNP's questioning and compared funding levels with Scotland.

How: Criticising Opposition, Changing Subject

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Q7 Suzanne Webb
NHS Taxation
Context

Supermarkets are known for place-based promotions on ultra-processed food, contributing to obesity.

Question

Most supermarkets practise place-based and price promotions mainly on ultra processed food—food that plays a key part in feeding the obesity crisis. How can the Government best ensure that supermarkets promote affordable, unprocessed and sustainable foods, not foods high in fat, sugar and salt, and, importantly how can we ensure that supermarkets comply with the regulations?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

We have already brought in restrictions on the places that unhealthy food can be sold to stop pester power. That is on top of other measures that we are taking on obesity such as the sugar tax, calorie labelling, the extra money for school sport, and the extra facilities for young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how supermarkets will be ensured to comply with regulations or promote healthy food options beyond existing measures.

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Q8 Clive Lewis Lab Norwich South
NHS Ukraine
Context

85,000 people are on the waiting list at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Question

I was going to ask a question about the shocking statistic of 85,000 people on the waiting list at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, but so poor was the Secretary of State's response to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting) about the dental desert that I will tell him a quick story. Ukrainian refugees who come to my constituency are travelling back to war-torn Ukraine to have their teeth seen to because there is a better dental service there than in Norfolk and Norwich. What does he have to say to that?

Answer from Steve Barclay

As I have said, we have 6.5% more dentists now than when we came to power. There is also a quarter more dental activity this year compared with last year. I understand why the hon. Gentleman does not want to talk about the investment that we are making on the elective programme in Norfolk, because it includes funding for two new hospitals in Norfolk through our new hospitals programme and significant funding into diagnostic capacity, with a number of diagnostic centres being opened in Norfolk, which he does not want to mention.

Not addressed: Did not address the poor state of dental services or answer why people travel back to Ukraine for better service.

How: Changing Subject To New Hospitals And Diagnostic Centers

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Q9 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
NHS
Context

North Tees Hospital is dated and not meeting modern requirements.

Question

My local hospital, North Tees, is tired, dated and well beyond its life expectancy, with operating theatres too small to meet modern requirements, so I was hugely disappointed that my NHS trust failed even to apply for Government funding that could have built a new state-of-the-art surgical hub on the site. Will my hon. Friend work with me to ensure that the people of Stockton get the healthcare facilities that they need?

Answer from Will Quince

We will always work with my hon. Friend and the trust on capital improvements where needed, but I am pleased to note that the trust has been allocated significant investment from national programmes in recent years, which my hon. Friend fought hard for, including £32.2 million from our community diagnostic centres programme, which will provide vital testing to local residents close to home, and £3 million from our A&E upgrade programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to working on improving operating theatres or applying for new funding directly mentioned by the MP.

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Q10 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS
Context

National Guardian's Office reports that last year there were 937 cases where whistleblowers were not listened to and experienced detriment.

Question

Ten years on from the Francis report, the National Guardian's Office—for freedom to speak up—reports that last year there were 937 cases where whistleblowers were not listened to and experienced detriment. If we add that to 170,000 complaints, with 30,000 reaching the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, we can see that the complaints system across the NHS is defensive and dangerous. Will the Secretary of State review the NHS complaints system, and embed a listening and learning culture and early intervention?

Answer from Steve Barclay

I discussed this with Henrietta Hughes, the patient safety champion, just yesterday as part of the sprint that we have commissioned in the Department in response to Martha's rule. We are doing considerable work with NHSE colleagues on how we better respond to the concerns of patients, whether it is through the work on Martha's rule or the complaints process, and a significant amount of work is ongoing as part of that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reviewing the NHS complaints system explicitly but acknowledged ongoing efforts.

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Q11 Philip Hollobone Con
NHS Climate
Context

The Secretary of State has seen for himself the dilapidated steam generators at Kettering General Hospital.

Question

The Secretary of State has seen for himself the dilapidated steam generators at Kettering General Hospital. The new £34 million net zero energy plant designed to replace them faces challenges from rising costs and new design requirements. Will he ensure that the final business case approval process for this new power plant is completed as soon as possible, so that spades can hit the ground on time in spring 2024?

Answer from Steve Barclay

Yes I will. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the way he has championed this issue. I have visited the hospital; I have seen it for myself. As he will be aware, the full business case was received by the Department this morning. While the cost has increased, it is still within the wider funding envelope for the scheme on that site and I will do everything I can to expedite the process as he asks.

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Q12 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
NHS Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Park View Medical Centre was closed despite a public campaign to prevent it.

Question

In recent months, there was a concerted campaign from the public to prevent the closure of Park View Medical Centre in Liverpool, which was subsequently closed by the Merseyside and Cheshire integrated care board. Not long after the conclusion of the campaign, during which members of the public were turning up to board meetings, the ICB announced that 50% of its meetings would now be held exclusively in private. I for one do not believe that that is a coincidence. What would the Secretary of State's advice be to Merseyside and Cheshire ICB on transparency and accountability, and is it not time we looked at strengthening the guidance?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The hon. Lady raises an important point. I was not aware of that decision by the local ICB. As a principle, I think we can agree across the House that greater transparency on such meetings is important, so I will follow up on that. The Government are making significant investment into Merseyside; both Alder Hey Children's Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital have been rebuilt at significant cost as part of this Government's commitment to investing in the NHS estate in that area.

Not addressed: Did not provide specific advice on transparency or follow up on strengthening guidance but changed subject to recent investments in Merseyside hospitals.

How: Changing Subject To Hospital Rebuilds

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Q13 Chris Loder
NHS
Context

Will Warrender is the outgoing chief executive of the South Western Ambulance Service.

Question

Will the Secretary of State join me in thanking the outgoing chief executive of the South Western Ambulance Service, Will Warrender? He came to join the service in the middle of covid, during very difficult times, and did a lot of work to help, and that comes after his 32 years of public service in the Royal Navy.

Answer from Steve Barclay

I am happy to join my hon. Friend; indeed, I am sure the whole House is happy to pay tribute to the exemplary public service Mr Warrender has provided, both in the Royal Navy and with the ambulance trust, and to wish him a very happy retirement.

Answered
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Q14 Daisy Cooper Lib Dem St Albans
NHS
Context

Immunocompromised patients are facing their fourth winter without adequate protection from covid. A new study shows that they now comprise approximately 25% of all covid hospitalisations, intensive care unit admissions and deaths.

Question

Immunocompromised patients are facing their fourth winter without adequate protection from covid despite a new study showing that they now comprise approximately 25% of all covid hospitalisations, ICU admissions, and deaths. Some hospitals have been giving guidance to staff not to test for covid unless working on specific wards. What will the government do after three and a half years to end this situation where some of the most clinically vulnerable patients are scared of accessing healthcare due to fear it could be a death sentence?

Answer from Steve Barclay

During the pandemic, the Government prioritised clinically extremely vulnerable individuals and significant investment went into their protection. The guidance from the UK Health Security Agency determines the level of infection control needed. We are actively reviewing medical science in relation to immunosuppressants.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about concrete actions to protect immunocompromised patients was not addressed with a clear commitment or timeline.

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Q15 John Penrose Con
NHS
Context

Local residents report that there is not a single local dentist accepting new adult NHS patients and many practices have reduced NHS work since the pandemic.

Question

The situation in Weston-super-Mare remains extremely worrying. There are no local dentists accepting new adult NHS patients, and many practices have actively reduced NHS work since the pandemic. Despite pushing both NHS England and the local integrated care board for action, only PowerPoint presentations have been provided instead of bookable appointments. What hope can be offered to Westonians who paid their taxes but are not getting any NHS dentistry?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

The amount of NHS dentistry being delivered in the local integrated care board has increased in the last year. Additional children's orthodontic capacity within the ICB was recently commissioned, and further actions are planned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about hope for Westonians not receiving NHS dentistry services was not fully addressed with a concrete plan or timeline.

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Q16 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
NHS
Context

100% fracture liaison services coverage would prevent an estimated 74,000 fractures including 31,000 hip fractures over five years.

Question

Having 100% FLS coverage in England would prevent an estimated 74,000 fractures including 31,000 hip fractures over five years. Will the Minister finally commit to 100% FLS coverage across England?

Answer from Steve Barclay

In the interests of brevity, I will actively look at that issue and write to the hon. Lady about it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a commitment to 100% FLS coverage was not fully addressed with a clear yes or no answer or timeline.

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