Topical Questions

Question

My priority as Secretary of State is to reform our NHS and social care system to make it faster, simpler and fairer. Since my appointment, we are making progress. To make our system faster, we have hit our manifesto target to recruit and retain 50,000 more nurses for our NHS, and to deliver 50 million more GP appointments, achieving both commitments months ahead of time.

Question

The Secretary of State's predecessor took a strong interest in the deaths that took place in the Essex mental health trusts, and a statutory inquiry is now taking place. Will she meet me and our Essex colleagues, and the families, to discuss that important inquiry, so that they can have justice for the loved ones they have lost?

Question

Talking of best practice, on this Government's watch, people with suspected breast cancer are not getting it. The two-week target from GP referral to a first consultant appointment for breast cancer has not been met since March 2020. I know from my own experience of breast cancer that the waiting is terrifying, wondering whether it has been left too late and the cancer has become incurable. How much longer will patients have to wait before the Government can meet their own targets and deliver the timely care that patients need and deserve?

Question

Unfortunately, the reality is that cancer referrals have only got worse with the Conservatives in government. In September 2023, only 74% of urgent cancer referrals to a consultant met that two-week target. That is the second-lowest rate for two-week referrals since 2009. When can the public expect this performance to improve?

Question

Some six months ago, the dentist based at Firthmoor community centre, serving 8,000 of my constituents, handed back its contract to the integrated care board. I was shocked last week to learn that the ICB has still not commenced the tender process to replace that provision. What advice can the Minister give me to ensure that our ICB is doing what it needs to do?

Question

Brexit broke Britain and it is continuing to wreak havoc on supply chains. The shortage of ADHD medication is now set to drag on into next spring. The shortage has seen 70% of patients forced to ration their supply of ADHD drugs, with 62% reporting an increase in suicidal thoughts. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that supplies of these vital medications are reaching pharmacies across the UK?

Question

My local practice reported 69 missed appointments from November 20 to November 24, including 36 GP and 28 nursing appointments, which is equivalent to 12 wasted hours over five days. Given this trend across Hinckley and Bosworth, what steps will the Government take to state patient costs for missed appointments to raise awareness?

Question

Pathology staffing levels at Royal Blackburn Hospital have not been reviewed for 15 years and workload has increased by 300%. With this national deficit, what steps is the Minister taking to address recruitment issues and ensure staff and patient safety?

Question

Last month NICE said that Kaftrio, Orkambi and Symkevi are effective against cystic fibrosis but are too expensive for inclusion on the NHS's list. Given CF's severity, what will the Secretary of State do to ensure these medications can be made available to save lives?

Question

There are strong links between financial difficulties, mental health issues, and suicide rates. Given the financial strain many face, how will the Minister ensure that those seeking help with finances also get mental health support and vice versa?

Question

My constituent Dan Archer's Visiting Angels care agency has a 13% annual turnover compared to the industry average of 60%. Would the Minister meet my constituent to learn about these successful practices for solving staff shortages in care?

Question

The Health Secretary said the Government will miss waiting time targets if there is a doctor's strike. However, under Conservative rule since 2010, hospital treatment waits, A&E waiting times, cancer referrals, and ambulance response times all increased. The public confidence in government has fallen. Does he admit this performance is causing threats to targets?

Question

Recognising that money does not grow on trees but neither do teeth. How soon will my constituents be able to see the desperately needed NHS dentists?

Question

Last week, the former Health Secretary admitted at the covid inquiry that sick pay across the UK is “far too low”. It is far lower than the European average and encourages people to go to work when they should be getting better. Does the Secretary of State agree with her predecessor? What discussions will she have with her Cabinet colleagues to improve the inadequate sick pay system?

Question

Last year, I asked the Government to show me the money with respect to £118 million of long-awaited capital funding for south Essex hospitals. With £8 million now delivered and the other £110 million now confirmed to be on its way, will the Secretary of State please come with me to Southend Hospital and see how that vital money will transform care in Southend and Leigh-on-Sea?

Question

Was the Secretary of State consulted about yesterday's announcement by the Home Secretary? If she was, did she agree with him that it will have no impact on overseas recruitment, or does she hear the fear of care providers about its consequences?

Question

Stroud Maternity Hospital is doing a great job, but the post-natal beds are still not open. We have been chasing a ministerial meeting about that for some time. Will my hon. Friend meet me and the Gloucestershire NHS scrutiny chair, Andrew Gravells, to discuss the issue? We think that we need some help with the Care Quality Commission.

Question

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications are essential to many people. In response to my written question last month, the Department outlined “disruptions to the supply”, which are expected to “resolve in early 2024”. How have the Government allowed that to happen? What plans does the Department have to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future?

Question

My constituent is concerned about improving lobular breast cancer treatment. Will the Minister meet my constituent and me to discuss how?

Question

With cancer being a significant issue for children and young people, causing almost 500 deaths each year, why does the Government continue to reject calls for a dedicated children's cancer plan?

Question

In response to a written question, I was informed that there is no central data on diagnosis and treatment for eating disorders nor an idea of how many mental health nurse appointments are available. Do Ministers agree this situation is disgraceful?

Question

Farmers suffer from significant mental health issues, with 95% of young farmers identifying poor mental health as their biggest hidden challenge. Will the Minister meet me and the Secretary of State to discuss how we can best support farmers?

Question

Will the Minister join me in congratulating the Conservative Mayor for proposing council money to fund primary care facilities in Great Barford, Wootton, Wixams and Kempston? Will she condemn Labour and Liberal Democrat councils for voting it down?

Question

Given that obesity now costs the NHS and our economy much more than smoking, why does the Secretary of State support a total ban on smoking but think that measures to tackle obesity are nannyish?

Question

Would the Health Secretary please agree to meet me to discuss improved access to GPs and dentists in Bracknell Forest and Wokingham boroughs?

Question

My constituent Air Marshal Dr David Walker, an inspirational leader and academic, sadly died of glioblastoma in June. When diagnosed, he and his wife Catherine were shocked to learn of the woefully low funding for brain and other less survivable cancers and established the charity the Right to Hope with Cancer. Will the Minister show the courage and leadership so epitomised by the life of Air Marshal Walker, and properly resource and fund less survivable cancers, so that everyone living with cancer has some sort of hope?