Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 15 October 2024 · 18 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 10 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Labour) asked about the CQC review findings and the new chief executive appointment.
  • Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Labour) requested a meeting to discuss the shortage of dentistry in Stockton North and Teesside.
  • Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Conservative) questioned the Secretary of State about the delivery date for the promised 40,000 more NHS appointments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
NHS
Context

Dr Penny Dash's review of the Care Quality Commission was recently published, indicating serious issues with fewer inspections and patient safety risks.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The MP noted Dr Penny Dash's recent review highlighting significant issues within the CQC including fewer inspections and urgent follow-ups being neglected, posing risks to patient safety.

Answer from Wes Streeting

Today I am publishing Dr Penny Dash's full review findings making seven recommendations for CQC improvement which have been put into practice. A new chief executive, Sir Julian Hartley, will shortly begin with my support.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
NHS
Context

A constituent has been unable to find an NHS dentist for their child despite multiple attempts.

Question

My constituent Mark has been unable to find an NHS dentist for his 19-month-old child, even at the seventh time of trying. My right hon Friend well understands the crisis he has inherited. Will he meet me to discuss the shortage of dentistry in Stockton North and across Teesside?

Answer from Wes Streeting

I am sorry for my hon Friend's constituents who are dealing with the consequences of the Conservatives' failure on dentistry. I would be delighted to meet him to discuss the challenges in his area.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Victoria Atkins Con Louth and Horncastle
NHS
Context

In the past five weeks, the Secretary of State has answered only one out of 29 questions regarding NHS appointments.

Question

I have asked the Secretary of State 29 questions at this Dispatch Box, yet he has managed to answer only one. When will be the first week in which we see delivery of his promised 40,000 more appointments?

Answer from Wes Streeting

We are working at pace to stand up 40,000 more appointments every week as our first step, as promised in our manifesto and will deliver this promise. More than that, we will go into the next election with a record of which the right hon Lady can only dream.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline for 40,000 appointments

How: Working At Pace, Promised In Manifesto

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Victoria Atkins Con Louth and Horncastle
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Secretary of State did not know the start date of his flagship policy.

Question

After 14 years of opposition, the right hon Gentleman does not even know the start date of his own flagship policy. The NHS deputy chief operating officer has raised concerns about Labour's decision to slash winter fuel payments adding pressure on patients and the NHS.

Answer from Wes Streeting

The shadow Secretary of State questions the budget for this winter, but it was set by her Government. Is that finally an admission of failure on her part? We will have no repeat of last year's crisis with our new winter plan and investment.

How: Questioning The Budget, Last Year'S Crisis

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Lola McEvoy Lab Darlington
Mental Health Children & Families
Context

The MP proposed a cross-departmental pilot to tackle pressures on child and adolescent mental health services.

Question

Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss a cross-departmental pilot in my constituency bringing together various departments to tackle immediate pressures that face child and adolescent mental health services?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

By cutting mental health waiting lists and intervening earlier, we can get this country back to work. We will put a mental health professional in every school and roll out 8500 specialists. I would be happy to meet my hon Friend to discuss the matter further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specifics of cross-departmental pilot

How: Putting Professionals In Schools, Rolling Out Specialists

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q6 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
NHS
Context

4.4 million children have not seen a dentist for at least a year and £1 million of dental funding went unspent.

Question

In England, 4.4 million children have not seen a dentist for at least a year, meanwhile in Shropshire £1m of dental funding went unspent. When can we expect the Secretary of State to fix it?

Answer from Wes Streeting

We are working not only to stand up 700,000 urgent and emergency dental appointments we promised but also to do prevention work for children in our schools regarding this situation described by the hon Member.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline or plan

How: Working On Appointments, Prevention Work

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q7 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
NHS
Context

A community diagnostic centre will help reduce waiting lists, but there are concerns about outsourcing MRI scan services.

Question

Many people in my constituency are grateful for the £25m community diagnostic centre but are concerned that the local trust may be contracting out services for MRI scans. Does the Minister agree that instead of just outsourcing, trusts should increase expertise and capacity in-house?

Answer from Andrew Gwynne

We are committed to expanding community diagnostic capacity but also clear that independent sector providers have a role as trusted partners to recover elective services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: commitment to in-house expertise

How: Expanding Capacity, Trusted Partners

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q8 Blake Stephenson Con Mid Bedfordshire
NHS
Context

Residents need a GP surgery, but local councils are concerned about the cost of capital investment.

Question

I welcome efforts to increase GPs across England. However, my constituents in Wixams face concerns over developer contributions and cash flow issues for building a GP surgery. Will the Minister meet me to discuss a new capital investment programme?

Answer from Karin Smyth

Capital development in NHS is shocking with a backlog of £11 billion in maintenance. I am happy to meet the hon Member to discuss his problem.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q9 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
NHS
Context

A senior pharmacist in Ruth Jones' constituency reported high volatility in drug pricing and increased bills, while also expecting more public consultation.

Question

Alan Petersen is a senior pharmacist in my constituency. He tells me that pharmacies have experienced high volatility in drugs pricing and big increases in bills in recent years. At the same time, they are expected to do far more in direct consultation with the public. Given the UK Government's jurisdiction over funding dispensing services in England and Wales, when do they plan to review pharmacy funding?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

Obviously, health is a devolved matter and funding for pharmacies in Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Government. Nevertheless, I pay tribute to the Welsh Government for securing a deal with pharmacies in Wales in line with DDRB—the review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration—pay recommendations. I know that arrangements in England affect matters in Wales and I am working as a matter of urgency to conclude the consultation on the community pharmacy contractual framework.

Partly answered

Not addressed: When will the government review pharmacy funding for services in England and Wales?

How: Health Is A Devolved Matter, Funding For Pharmacies In Wales Is The Responsibility Of The Welsh Government

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q10 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Context

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill went through its Committee stage in the previous Parliament, with several amendments proposed that were taken away for consideration.

Question

To correct the Secretary of State, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill went through its Committee stage in the previous Parliament, with several amendments proposed across the Chamber, which the then Minister, Andrea Leadsom, agreed to take away and bring back. Will he incorporate those amendments so that we strengthen the Bill?

Answer from Wes Streeting

Whatever stage the Bill got to, it was not completed, was it? We will bring back a tobacco and vapes Bill that is stronger than the Conservatives' and I look forward to seeing if they support it.

Not addressed: Will the government incorporate the previously considered amendments into the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?

How: Whatever Stage The Bill Got To, It Was Not Completed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q11 Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford
NHS
Context

Ingleside, Salford's only birthing centre, was temporarily closed amid a midwifery staffing deficit.

Question

Ingleside, the only birthing centre in the city of Salford, was temporarily closed in 2022 amid an acute midwifery staffing deficit across Greater Manchester. Will the Minister be kind enough to meet me to discuss what he can do to ensure that that unit reopens safely as soon as possible?

Answer from Karin Smyth

My hon. Friend is right to raise the crisis of midwifery services. We have already had debates in Westminster Hall about this, and the issue affects the entire country. It is a priority for this Government, and I am of course happy to meet her to discuss her constituency issue.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q12 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
NHS
Context

Lord Darzi's report highlighted the importance of local focus in coordinating services, but an integrated care board is proposing to remove a dedicated place director.

Question

Lord Darzi's report highlighted the importance of local focus and alignment to co-ordinating local services and improving health, contributing to reduced hospital admissions. In Oxfordshire, the integrated care board is proposing to remove Oxfordshire's dedicated place director. Will the Secretary of State give his support to place-based roles to maintain local authority alignment, as recommended in Lord Darzi's report?

Answer from Wes Streeting

I absolutely take the point the hon. Gentleman is making about the importance of place-based leadership. That is why one thing we will be looking to do, as part of the 10-year plan process, is to clarify roles and responsibilities in different parts of the system to ensure that we have better strategic place-based leadership.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will the Secretary of State support place-based roles to maintain local authority alignment?

How: That Is Why One Thing We Will Be Looking To Do, As Part Of The 10-Year Plan Process

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q13 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
NHS
Context

Royal Stoke hospital is leading in treating stroke patients, but prevention remains key.

Question

The Royal Stoke hospital is leading the way when it comes to treatment for stroke patients, but as with so many illnesses, prevention is better than cure. Can the Minister set out what this Government are doing to minimise the number of people affected by these life-altering events?

Answer from Andrew Gwynne

I agree with my hon. Friend, which is why we have set a goal for fewer lives being lost to cardiovascular disease. We will make it easier for people to have checks in the comfort of their own homes through, for example, the digital NHS health check and the new workplace trials.

Partly answered

Not addressed: What is the government doing to minimize the number of strokes?

How: We Will Make It Easier For People To Have Checks In The Comfort Of Their Own Homes

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q14 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

Labour's cut to the winter fuel payment will cause thousands of cold pensioners to seek NHS treatment.

Question

Labour's cut to the winter fuel payment will cause 262,000 cold pensioners to seek NHS treatment, according to the End Fuel Poverty Coalition. Do the Government agree with those figures, and if not, what are their own estimates?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The decision on the winter fuel allowance is not one that the Government took lightly, but we inherited a £22 billion hole in the nation's finances. We continue to stand behind vulnerable households by increasing the state pension with the triple lock, delivering the warm home discount and extending the household support fund to support the most vulnerable pensioners.

Not addressed: Do the government agree with the End Fuel Poverty Coalition's figures?

How: The Decision On The Winter Fuel Allowance Is Not One That The Government Took Lightly

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q15 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS Taxation
Context

Since 2015, public health grant has fallen in value by 25% and the public health funding cut negatively affects York.

Question

Prevention is the most important intervention to improve health outcomes, yet since 2015 the public health grant has fallen in value by 25%, and by 30% in York. Will the Minister say what he is doing to restore the value of the public health grant?

Answer from Andrew Gwynne

My hon. Friend is incredibly knowledgeable about public health matters both at national and local level. Lord Darzi's investigation into the NHS set out the impact of past reductions in local government public health funding. We will confirm public health grant allocations for the next financial year as part of the forthcoming spending review, but the points she made have been made loudly and clearly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: What will the government do to restore the value of the public health grant?

How: We Will Confirm Public Health Grant Allocations For The Next Financial Year As Part Of The Forthcoming Spending Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q16 Esther McVey Con Tatton
Standards & Ethics
Context

Questions about Alan Milburn's status and activities in the Department are raised.

Question

Can the Secretary of State update the House on the status of Alan Milburn? Does he still attend meetings in the Department and have access to confidential information? Does he now have an official role in the Department? Does he still have private sector interests in the healthcare sector?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The right hon. Alan Milburn is alive, he is safe and we are treating him well.

Not addressed: What is Alan Milburn's current status and activities within the department?

How: The Right Hon. Alan Milburn Is Alive, He Is Safe And We Are Treating Him Well

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q17 Mary Foy Lab City of Durham
NHS
Context

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; not enough women are taking up their breast screening appointments.

Question

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I stand here today as someone who was diagnosed, treated and cured of breast cancer this year by the amazing staff in the north-east, but not enough women are taking up their breast screening appointments. Will the Minister do more to raise awareness of, and access to, breast screening appointments, and may I urge all women to check themselves regularly?

Answer from Andrew Gwynne

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her work in this area and for setting out eloquently her own personal experiences. Of course this Government will do more to raise awareness and enable more women to access breast screening services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will the government do more to increase awareness and access for breast cancer screenings?

How: Of Course This Government Will Do More

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q18 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Social Care Local Government
Context

The split of budget and responsibility between the Secretary of State's Department and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government impedes improvements in adult social care.

Question

A significant impediment to improving adult social care is the split of budget and responsibility and policy between the Secretary of State's Department and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Will he and colleagues work to remove that hurdle, to have better outcomes more cost-effectively delivered to improve the lives of all our constituents?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise that risk. I assure him and the House that I and the Deputy Prime Minister, herself a former care worker, are working in lockstep to align strategy, policy and delivery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments to remove the hurdle of split budget and responsibility were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)