Topical Questions 2021-06-08
2021-06-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The situation in Greater Manchester and Lancashire is experiencing a rise in the delta variant, leading to increased testing and military support. The MP questions how this compares with Wales' strategy for providing catch-up services post-lockdown.
Currently, all primary care providers in Wales remain on amber alert, which means that many of my constituents in Bridgend are unable to access necessary services unless it is an emergency. Will my right hon. Friend explain how this situation compares to his Department's strategy to provide catch-up services as we come out of lockdown?
It is very important that, across the country, the UK is open, the NHS is open and that people can come forward and get treatment if they need it. As my hon. Friend knows, I work closely with the delivery of the NHS in Wales. The NHS there is of course the responsibility of the devolved Administration, but I am happy to take up his concern with the new Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services to see what we can do.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct comparison between Wales' strategy and those implemented in Greater Manchester and Lancashire
I Work Closely With The Delivery Of The Nhs In Wales
But I Am Happy To Take Up His Concern
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Reports indicate that NHS staff are exhausted. The MP requests a commitment from the Secretary of State to extend free hospital car parking for NHS staff beyond the pandemic, addressing waiting list issues and concerns about privatisation in integrated care systems.
We have seen reports today of how exhausted NHS staff are. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in the media this morning that he was not sure what more the Government could do to support NHS staff. Obviously, the Government could give them a pay rise, but will the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care also commit today to extending free hospital car parking for NHS staff beyond the pandemic?
Of course, we have made hospital car parking free for staff during the pandemic. That is one of the many, many things that we have put in place to support staff. Staff wellbeing support and mental health support have also been incredibly important, learning, as we have done, from the support that we give to others in public service who go through traumatic episodes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to extending free hospital car parking beyond the pandemic
We Have Made Hospital Car Parking Free For Staff During The Pandemic
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about waiting lists, the reorganisation of NHS services through integrated care legislation, and the presence of private sector entities on local boards. The MP requests that Virgin Care be removed from an ICS board.
I wanted a commitment to extend the relief of hospital car parking charges beyond the pandemic. The Secretary of State knows that waiting lists are at 5 million and that 432,000 people are waiting beyond 12 months. Once we are through this pandemic, the priority must be to bring those waiting lists down, but he is about to embark on a reorganisation of the NHS with his integrated care legislation. Local boards permit the private sector to have a seat on them. Virgin Care has just been given a seat on the integrated care system in Bath and North Somerset. He once promised that there would be no privatisation on his watch, so will he instruct that ICS to remove Virgin Care from its board?
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that integrating the health service with services provided by local authorities, such as social care, is absolutely critical, and I know that he supports those proposals that have come from the NHS. When it comes to delivering services in the NHS, what matters to patients is that they get high-quality services, for instance, to deal with the backlog, and what matters is getting those services as fast as we possibly can. People care much less about who provides the service than they do about the service getting delivered, and that is the approach that I take, too.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific request to remove Virgin Care from an ICS board
What Matters To Patients Is That They Get High-Quality Services
People Care Much Less About Who Provides The Service
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Health and Social Care Committee has published a report on NHS and social care staff burnout, detailing the emotional exhaustion and chronic fatigue felt by frontline workers. The MP requests that Health Education England be given statutory power to make independent workforce projections.
Today, the Health and Social Care Committee published its report on NHS and social care staff burnout, which chronicles the emotional exhaustion and chronic fatigue felt by many frontline staff in the past year. Much support has been put in place; the 50,000 nurse target is welcome, the extra doctors and nurses hired during the pandemic extremely welcome, but still we have shortages in nearly every specialty, leading to a sense of despair. Will my right hon. Friend consider the recommendation that we make today that Health Education England should be given the statutory power to make independent workforce projections, rather as the Office for Budget Responsibility does for Budget forecasts, so that we can at least look doctors and nurses in the eye and say that we are training enough of them for the future?
I am very happy to work with the Select Committee on the forthcoming health and care Bill. The Committee has already had a huge amount of input into that Bill, and I am sure that, during its passage, we will be working together on making sure that this piece of legislation, which has cross-party support, can come through the House in the best possible state. I am very happy to look at the specific proposal, but what I would say is that we have been recruiting record numbers of doctors and nurses to try to make sure that the NHS is always there for all of our constituents and their families.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to giving Health Education England statutory power to project workforce needs independently
I Am Very Happy To Look At The Specific Proposal
We Have Been Recruiting Record Numbers Of Doctors And Nurses
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The British Medical Association warns that freezing the lifetime and annual pensions tax allowance until April 2026 could significantly impact retention and overtime among health and care staff, citing a survey indicating that 72% of doctors are more likely to retire early.
The British Medical Association has warned that the freezing of the lifetime and annual pensions tax allowance until April 2026 could significantly impact the retention and overtime of health and care staff, with 72% of doctors that it surveyed saying that it would make them more likely to retire early. What consideration has been given to the BMA's proposal of offering a tax unregistered scheme, similar to that of the judiciary, for those in the NHS?
We made very significant progress on this in the Budget immediately following the general election, as the hon. Lady will know. That has removed this problem for the vast majority of doctors who serve in the NHS. I am very glad that we were able to make that progress. I am always happy to look at suggestions from the unions and others, but I am glad to say that we have made a good deal of progress on this one.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to considering the BMA's proposal for a tax-unregistered scheme
We Made Very Significant Progress On This In The Budget
I Am Always Happy To Look At Suggestions From The Unions
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Infection rates have risen but hospital admissions remain low in the constituency. Pop-up vaccination centres are effectively operating.
Despite recent rise in infection rates, can my right hon. Friend assure people of Dewsbury, Mirfield, Kirkburton and Denby Dale that there will be no need to introduce local restrictions due to effective surge vaccinations and testing?
I join my hon. Friend in congratulating the whole team on their work during difficult circumstances. I reassure him that, as stated by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, we want the entire country to come out of lockdown together.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a direct assurance about avoiding local restrictions.
Repeated Broad Statements
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns over use of pandemic as an excuse to remove permanent services from the hospital.
Will the Secretary of State confirm that this public health crisis will not be used to scrap services without proper consultations and impact assessments?
Yes, we will ensure there are no improper removals of services due to the pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
The hospital's structural issues and ongoing campaign for a rebuild.
Will the Secretary of State visit Airedale hospital to discuss reconstruction plans with Brendan Brown, the chief executive?
I will visit Airedale Hospital as it is on my radar and we are looking at an open competition process.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
Concern about PFI LIFT companies profiting from NHS and affecting community benefits.
Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss actions against such companies making major profits at the expense of NHS services?
The Minister of State will take a meeting with the hon. Lady.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q10
Direct Answer
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Context
UK screens for fewer rare diseases compared to other European countries.
Does the Secretary of State agree that UK should consider expanding its newborn screening programme, and will he meet me on this issue?
Absolutely agrees with expanding newborn screening. The Minister is happy to meet the hon. Friend and Baroness Blackwood for discussions.
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Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns over delays in accessing urgent blood tests critical to diagnose cancer.
Will the Secretary of State ensure local issues like delays do not worsen cancer backlog and put more lives at risk?
Yes, if she writes to me with full details, we will address the issue immediately.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
University of Brighton has seen a rise in applications but concerns over placement shortages.
Is the seemingly high requirement for health professions training placements under review to capture new interest and open opportunities?
The standards are set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, based on a survey. Acceptances for pre-registration nursing programmes have increased.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address review of placement requirements.
Referred To Current Standards
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Constituents concerned about Government proposals for storing GP health data.
Many constituents have concerns deeply concerning the Government's plans to collect, store, and share GP health data. If I opt out of this scheme, will my health information be available at hospitals outside Newcastle? If not opting out, how can I control data sharing individually or in aggregate?
We are delaying the opt-out deadline to address concerns raised. Data saves lives; we will resolve issues as mentioned, including working with stakeholders like RCGP and BMA.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific control mechanisms when opting out or opting in
Delaying The Opt-Out Deadline
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Vaccinations and testing ongoing in Kirklees; hospitalizations and deaths low despite high case numbers.
Will the Health Secretary confirm that local lockdowns will not be reintroduced given current trends in Kirklees, supported by vaccinations and testing efforts?
We are seeing surge testing and support measures work effectively to avoid lockdowns. England moves together; these programmes aim to prevent localized restrictions.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm no local restrictions would be introduced
England Moving Together
Response accuracy
Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
Hospital hard hit by initial and second waves of the pandemic; served many patients during the peak.
Will Ministers look at a business case for Northwick Park Hospital's needs sympathetically, particularly regarding intensive care and recovery services?
Yes.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Macmillan estimates a backlog of 39,000 people awaiting first cancer treatment.
What are the plans to bolster cancer services and reduce this significant backlog?
An additional £1 billion has been allocated this year. Cancer services are running above pre-pandemic levels, ensuring that all patients receive their treatment.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific plans beyond funding and capacity
Extra Funding
Service Capacity
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
Successful trials of psilocybin in depression treatment.
What discussions have the Secretary of State had with the Home Office regarding the clinical use of psilocybin for treating depression?
No such discussions have yet occurred, but the relevant Minister will write to the hon. Gentleman with all available information.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on any ongoing or planned discussions
Write A Letter
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about public denial of access to community defibrillators on private land.
What can be done to ensure that anyone needing a defibrillator has presumed access to it, regardless of where it is located?
The owner should allow open access if the defibrillator could save lives; I will look into the exact legal status.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete plans to ensure presumed access legally or practically
Look Into Legality
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Current investment not targeted enough; charities and researchers need more focused support.
Will the Minister meet stakeholders to examine discrepancies in motor neurone research funding and commit to £10 million annually for five years?
I will look into the request. The Government are supporting motor neurone research, including a roundtable event hosted with NIHR/Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to additional funding of £10m annually for five years
Look Into Request
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State was unable to provide information on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines against the Delta variant during a previous statement. Mark Harper seeks clarification on this data.
Mr Speaker, I am very grateful that you could fit me in at the end. Yesterday during the statement the Secretary of State did not have the information to hand on the efficacy of the covid vaccines in reducing serious disease and hospitalisation. He made a commitment, rightly, to set them out today at Health questions at the Dispatch Box; and I am delighted, with this question, to give him the opportunity to do so.
First, a single dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca jab offers protection of 75% to 85% against hospitalisation, while two doses of Pfizer indicate 90% to 95% effectiveness against hospitalisation and 95% to 99% effectiveness at preventing death. However, regarding the delta variant, there is no conclusive figure yet as it is being worked on by Public Health England and should be available in a couple of weeks.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific efficacy data for the Delta variant was not provided as it is still under analysis.
Response accuracy