theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_20

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans to help increase dementia diagnosis rates to pre-Covid-19 levels in Leigh and Atherton constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are committed to recovering the dementia diagnosis rate (DDR) to the national ambition of 66.7%, which in England, at the end of February 2025, was 65.4%.

To support recovery of the DDR and implementation of the Dementia Care Pathway, we have developed a dashboard to provide appropriate data and enable targeted support where needed.

To reduce variation in diagnosis rates, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ Dementia Intelligence Network has developed a tool for local systems, which includes an assessment of population characteristics such as rurality and socio-economic deprivation. This enables systems to investigate local variation in diagnosis and take informed action to enhance their diagnosis rates. The tool has been released and is available via the NHS Futures Collaboration platform.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_21

Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide a long-term sustainable funding model for palliative and end of life care providers in the 10 Year Health Plan. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and palliative and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift.

As part of the work to develop the 10-Year Health Plan, we will be carefully considering policies, including those that impact people with palliative and end of life care needs, with input from the public, patients, health staff, and our partners, including those in the hospice sector.

In February 2025, I met with key palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_22

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board on the proposed Wixams GP surgery. \p Stephen Kinnock: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning, which includes planning, securing, and monitoring, general practice (GP) services within their health systems through delegated responsibility from NHS England. The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB has advised that they updated the Central Bedfordshire Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee about the ICB’s intention to deliver a permanent healthcare facility in Wixams, with a further update to follow in the spring. The ICB has committed to undertaking further analysis with the new developers of Wixams town centre, to understand the dependencies, such as roads and power connections, and to assess the facility's delivery timeline against the likely costs and affordability. Further information about the Central Bedfordshire Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee is available at the following link:

https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/31/meetings/231/social_care_health_and_housing_overview_and_scrutiny_committee_-_meetings_and_agendas

We know that there is pressure on primary care estates and service provision in areas of high population growth. At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_23

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the environmental impact of prescribing (a) inhalers and (b) other medicines. \p Karin Smyth: In October 2020, the National Health Service published its Net Zero Strategy, in order to become the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero emissions, and NHS England is working collaboratively with a range of partners on implementation.

Recognising the importance of decarbonising general practices (GPs), NHS England collaborated with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the authors of the report Towards Greener Prescribing in General Practice, to develop a net zero hub, which includes three eLearning modules and a practice decarbonisation guide. These resources support and educate GPs in reducing carbon emissions from prescribing.  The Department will work with NHS England to consider the recommendations and findings of the Royal College of General Practitioners' report.

Greener prescribing and recycling are key enablers to support the NHS’ transition towards a more sustainable healthcare system. One key aspect of this is tackling overprescribing, including through improving repeat prescribing processes and delivering Structured Medication Reviews. Further information can be found in the updated Green Plan Guidance at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/green-plan-guidance/

The NHS has already made progress in reducing medicine emissions.  For example, optimising inhaler use by addressing Short Acting Beta Agonists overprescribing, improving inhaler technique, and working to ensure patients are on the appropriate treatment regimen and are using their inhaler at the right time. NHS England is also committed to exploring inhaler recycling and its potential benefits, and is currently supporting the implementation of an inhaler recycling pilot to assess a national scheme’s feasibility and potential benefits.

In 2021, NHS England set out its NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap. Alongside and since this announcement, many pharmaceutical companies have made commitments to decarbonise. The NHS and the Government continue to collaborate with industry across a range of actions, such as the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing programme, and the Voluntary Pricing, Access and Growth Investment Programme.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_24

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, following the abolition of NHS England, where ultimate commissioning accountability will sit for (a) Cystic Fibrosis and (b) other specialised NHS services. \p Karin Smyth: Ministers will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation. Work has begun immediately to start bringing teams in NHS England and the Department together, and over the next two years, NHS England and the Department will combine to form a new joint centre.

NHS England will continue to carry out its statutory duties until Parliamentary time allows for legislation to be brought forward to amend the Department’s responsibilities.

The abolition of NHS England will strip out the unnecessary bureaucracy and cut the duplication that comes from having two organisations doing the same job. We will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, driving productivity up, and getting waiting times down.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_25

Tessa Munt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to allow radiotherapy machines purchased by charities for hospitals to stop treating patients if charitable funds are not available to renew those machines. \p Ashley Dalton: Only radiotherapy machines purchased with Government funds are eligible for replacement through Government funding. There are no plans to change this position.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_26

Tessa Munt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance he has provided to NHS England on maximising the the potential utilisation of artificial intelligence for radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients. \p Ashley Dalton: No specific guidance has been provided to the National Health Service, however we expect that radiotherapy treatment centres will use all appropriate technology for treating patients, to ensure that they receive the best possible care. This includes the use of artificial intelligence where available.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_27

Tessa Munt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time for cancer patients requiring radiotherapy treatment is before they commence that treatment in each region in England. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department does not hold the data in this format. Data on cancer waiting times for specific treatments can be found on NHS England’s website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/monthly-data-and-summaries/2024-25-monthly-cancer-waiting-times-statistics/
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_28

Sam Carling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the ability of the ophthalmology sector to deliver timely care  in (a) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB and (b) in England in the context of the proposed changes to the 2025/26 NHS Standard Contract and Payment Scheme. \p Karin Smyth: Whilst no specific assessment has been made of the proposed 2025/26 NHS Standard Contract and Payment Scheme for ophthalmology services in England, or specifically for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board, we are committed to ensuring that timely treatment is available across all specialties and all areas. As set out in the Plan for Change, we will ensure a return to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, by March 2029. We have already made progress, delivering on our commitment to provide two million extra appointments as a first step to achieving this.

We have also published our Elective Reform Plan, which sets out an expectation that performance against the 18 week standard will increase from 58% in December 2024 to 65% by March 2026, with every trust expected to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026.

Planning guidance for 2025/26 also sets clear targets, including reducing the elective waiting list, but gives local systems greater control and flexibility over how local funding is deployed to best meet the needs of the people they serve.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_29

Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on the (a) consultation on NHS Right to Choose ADHD changes and (b) use of feedback from that consultation. \p Karin Smyth: Ministers will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation. As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

The abolition of NHS England will strip out the unnecessary bureaucracy and cut the duplication that comes from having two organisations doing the same job; we will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, driving productivity up and getting waiting times down.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_30

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with Independent Sector Providers on ensuring that staff (a) who deliver NHS services and (b) whose contracts do not include automatic pay uplifts receive any agreed pay uplifts as soon as possible. \p Karin Smyth: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not held any discussions with independent providers on this topic.

Independent organisations, such as social enterprises and general practices, are free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment. This includes the pay scales that they use, the extent to which pay awards are made, and when those awards are paid.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_31

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the level of geographic detail available on the number of (a) A&E and (b) Urgent Care Centre admissions. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England publishes accident and emergency admission data for a range of different geographical footprints. This includes at an integrated care board, regional, and provider level. We will continue to keep the range of data available to support the improvement of National Health Services under review. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_32

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the number of anaesthetists on maternity care. \p Karin Smyth: There has been no such assessment. Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual National Health Service employers. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

We are committed to training the staff we need, including anaesthetists and all other medical specialities, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

We have launched the 10-Year Health Plan which will set out a bold agenda to reform and repair the NHS. A central part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.

We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_33

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Social Care on the accessibility of new medicines to treat cystic fibrosis. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has regular discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) about access to various new medicines.

The NICE develops its recommendations for the National Health Service in England based on the clinical and cost effectiveness of medicines independently, based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and in line with its published methods and processes.

In July 2024, the NICE approved three disease modifying treatments, orkambi, symkevi, and kaftrio, as treatment options for eligible NHS patients with cystic fibrosis, under the terms of a commercial agreement reached between NHS England and the manufacturer, Vertex. These treatments are now routinely funded by the NHS in England for eligible patients.

The NICE is also currently developing guidance for the NHS on whether vanzacaftor-tezacaftor-deutivacaftor can be recommended for routine funding for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The NICE is expecting to publish final guidance in August 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_34

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) ensure patients have timely access to and (b) prevent shortages in prescription medication. \p Karin Smyth: There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines, and the overwhelming majority are in good supply. Where supply issues do arise, we know how frustrating and distressing these can be for patients, and we work closely with industry, the National Health Service, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to resolve issues as quickly as possible, to make sure patients can access the medicines they need.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated, and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues, and regulatory issues.

While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise, to mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols, and issuing NHS communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.

The resilience of UK supply chains is a key priority, and we are committed to helping to build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. We are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues and avoid shortages. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages, and to strengthen our resilience.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_35

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle racial disparities in maternal mortality rates. \p Karin Smyth: It is unacceptable that there are stark inequalities for women and babies, and it is a priority for the Government to make sure all women and babies receive the high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their background, location, or ethnicity. This includes taking action before women reach maternity care, as well as after they go home, with action focusing on improving both women’s experiences and outcomes.

The Government is committed to setting an explicit target to close the maternal mortality gap. We are ensuring that we take an evidence-based approach to determining what targets are set, and that any targets set are women and baby-centred.

The National Health Service’s Three-Year Delivery Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Services sets national measures to improve maternity and neonatal services by making care more personalised and equitable. A key objective within the plan is to reduce inequalities for all in maternity access, experience, and outcomes, seeking to improve equity for mothers and babies.

As part of the plan, all local areas have published Equity and Equality Action Plans, which set out tailored interventions that will tackle inequalities for women and babies from ethnic backgrounds and those living in the most deprived areas. Trusts are also implementing Version 3 of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle, which provides maternity units with guidance and interventions to reduce stillbirths, neonatal brain injury, neonatal death, and preterm birth. The Department continues to work closely with the NHS as it delivers these initiatives.

Maternal Medicine Networks have also been established across England, which provide expert care to women with complex medical conditions before, during, and after pregnancy. To address inequalities in maternal outcomes, networks should put pathways in place to ensure equal access to specialised care for all women, and that referral criteria reflect the increased vulnerability of women from ethnic minorities and those who are socially deprived.

The Department is considering what longer term action can be taken to tackle disparities in outcomes and experience for black, Asian, and minority ethnic women. This includes working closely with NHS England, and the wider sector, to identify the right actions and interventions that will deliver the required change, both immediately, and in the future.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_36

Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of treatment of trans patients in primary care; and whether those patients receive adequate treatment for biological health needs. \p Karin Smyth: It is important that all patients, including transgender patients, feel comfortable and confident in accessing primary care services.

The Government is committed to ensuring that transgender patients receive the care and support they need when accessing National Health Services. This includes where care is sex specific, such as the Cervical Screening Management System launched in June 2024, which will allow people to register their sex at birth as well as their gender identity, which should allow for better call/recall for transgender and non-binary people who have a cervix.

In line with the recommendations of the Cass Review, NHS England is currently undertaking a review of adult gender services. The review will examine the model of care and operating procedures of each service, with the aim of producing an updated service specification.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_37

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to stop the overprescription of antidepressants. \p Stephen Kinnock: Antidepressants can be an effective treatment option for depression when prescribed safely and in alignment with patient preferences. They are also used in anxiety and chronic pain.

It is for the responsible clinician to work with their patient to decide on the best course of treatment, with the provision of the most clinically appropriate care for the patient always being the primary consideration. It is important for patients to be able to make informed choices about whether to take antidepressants, and NHS England has recently published a Patient Decision Aid on this topic, produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

It is also important for clinicians to recognise that, while antidepressants may be helpful for some patients, non-drug options are likely to be a better option for most people who present with less severe mental health conditions. These include NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression, and social prescribing.

To ensure antidepressant drugs are made available to patients only where the benefits outweigh the potential harms, NHS England is encouraging the integrated care boards to address inappropriate antidepressant prescribing and to consider commissioning services for patients wishing to reduce or stop using antidepressants.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_38

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to ensure that the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme and independent prescribing generally will continue to be supported to maximise direct prescribing capability in England. \p Stephen Kinnock: The NHS England Pathfinder programme is running across England with the aim of developing a commissioning framework for community pharmacy clinical services with independent prescribing (IP) for National Health Service patients. We are working with integrated care boards and pathfinder sites, community pharmacies, to understand the key enablers for IP to be incorporated into community pharmacy. The programme learning will be across five key domains: clinical; digital; governance and safety; people; and funding and contracts. We hope to complete our evaluation by Autumn 2025, and to use this to inform planning for the incorporation of prescribing into community pharmacy clinical services. Further information on the NHS England Pathfinder programme is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-integration-fund/independent-prescribing/
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_39

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to provide funding for all hospice care. \p Stephen Kinnock: Whilst the majority of palliative and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life and their loved ones.

Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between integrated care board (ICB) areas. This will vary depending on demand in that ICB area, but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provided from both NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We are pleased to confirm that the Government has released the first £25 million tranche of the £100 million of capital funding, with Hospice UK kindly allocating and distributing the money to hospices throughout England. An additional £75 million will be available from April 2025.

We are also providing £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices for 2025/26. This is a continuation of the funding which until recently was known as the children and young people’s hospice grant.

In February, I met with key palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_40

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to avoid potential late diagnosis of ADHD for patients in South Suffolk. \p Stephen Kinnock: It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is working to bring together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors. The taskforce is working to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including timely and equitable access to services and support, with the final report expected in the summer of 2025.

In conjunction with the taskforce, NHS England has carried out detailed work to develop an ADHD data improvement plan to inform future service planning. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services, and is using this information to support systems to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_41

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support care homes operating at full capacity. \p Stephen Kinnock: Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population. That is why, under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market and to commission a range of high-quality, sustainable, and person-centred care and support services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. In performing that duty, a local authority must have regard to current and likely future demand for such services and consider how providers might meet that demand.

The Department publishes occupancy rates monthly on the GOV.UK website at a national, regional, and local authority level.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_42

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37767 on GP Practice Lists, what weighting does the Carr-Hill Formula give to patient deprivation. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Carr-Hill formula does not include a weighting for patient deprivation. Amongst the range of factors included in the formula, the proportion of the population with a limiting long-term illness (LLTI) and the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) for those aged under 65 years old (SMR<65) are correlated with higher deprivation. The weightings for these factors are the practice list multiplied by (48.1198 + (0.26115 multiplied by the practice’s LLTI) + (0.23676 multiplied by the practice’s SMR<65)).
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_43

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase core funding for GP practices. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are investing an additional £889 million into core funding for general practice (GP) to reinforce the front door of the National Health Service, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This is the biggest increase in over a decade, and we are pleased that the General Practitioners Committee England is supportive of the contract changes.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_44

Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of regional inequalities of access to GP appointments. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are committed to improving capacity and access to local services across the country. Integrated care boards (ICBs) and general practices (GPs) have a statutory duty to ensure sufficient provision of medical services, tailored to the needs of their local populations, accounting for factors like population growth, deprivation, and demographic change.

While GPs operate as independent contractors, they are held to nationally agreed standards under the GP Contract, which is reviewed and improved annually. The 2024/25 contract is backed by the largest increase in GP funding in years, specifically an £889 million uplift. This investment supports key reforms to improve access across the country, including a new requirement for practices to offer online appointment requests throughout core opening hours.

We will continue working closely with ICBs to monitor and address variations in access, so that every patient can get the care they need, when they need it.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_45

Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of GP appointments. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is determined to fix the front door of our National Health Service, making it easier for everyone to see a general practitioner (GP) when they need to.

In October 2024, we injected £82 million into the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme to enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England, which will increase the number of appointments delivered and care for thousands of patients.

We’ve just delivered the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an £889 million uplift, with GPs now receiving a growing share of NHS resources. For the first time in four years, the General Practitioners Committee England backed the new 2025/26 contract, which includes key reforms to improve access, for instance by making sure that patients can request appointments online throughout core hours.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_46

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that online services provided by GPs are (a) accessible and (b) user friendly. \p Stephen Kinnock: As part of the 2025/26 GP Contract, a new requirement has been introduced for general practices (GPs) to offer online appointment requests throughout their core opening hours. This aims to improve accessibility by ensuring that digital services are consistently available whenever practices are open. However, the GP Contract is also clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP.

Additionally, all digital tools used in primary care must meet the minimum functionality standards set by NHS England, helping to ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience. Primary care providers are also required to comply with the Accessible Information Standard. This ensures that online services are both accessible and user-friendly, supported by standardised, intuitive digital platforms that meet patients’ diverse needs.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_47

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 38428 on General Practitioners, how many full-time equivalent (a) doctors in general practice and (b) other clinical staff have been recruited since 4 July 2024. \p Stephen Kinnock: Between 31 July 2024 and 28 February 2025, the latest period for which data is available, there were 586 more fully qualified full time equivalent (FTE) general practitioners (GPs), and nine fewer FTE nurses. Between 30 September 2024 and 31 December 2024, there were an additional 302 FTE direct patient care staff. This data does not include fully qualified GPs recruited through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_48

Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether there are mandatory timescales for (a) nursing homes requesting an assessment for (i) continuing healthcare funding and (ii) funded nursing care and a checklist referral being completed and (b) checklist referrals for (A) continuing healthcare funding and (B) funded nursing care being completed and full assessments being completed. \p Stephen Kinnock: The statutory guidance, National framework for NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care, sets out the principles and processes for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and National Health Service-funded nursing care (FNC), so that people are assessed and receive care in a timely way. Further information on the statutory guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-framework-for-nhs-continuing-healthcare-and-nhs-funded-nursing-care

The national framework sets the expectation that the overall assessment and eligibility decision-making process for CHC should, in most cases, not exceed 28 calendar days, from the date that the integrated care board receives the positive checklist, to the eligibility decision being made. There are no mandatory timescales for the completion of a CHC checklist referral when requested by a nursing home. There are no mandatory timescales for a decision to be made about FNC eligibility.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_49

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to help increase the availability of GP appointments in North Cornwall constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are committed to improving capacity and access to local services across the country, including in the North Cornwall constituency. North Cornwall sits within the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board. Since June 2024, there has been an 18.2% increase in appointments delivered, higher than the national average increase of 17.8% in the same period.

In October 2024, we injected £82 million into the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme to enable the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified general practitioners (GPs) across England, which will increase the number of appointments delivered, and care for thousands of patients

The Government has delivered the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an £889 million uplift, with GPs now receiving a growing share of National Health Service resources. For the first time in four years, the General Practitioners Committee England backed the new 2025/26 contract, which includes key reforms to improve access, for instance by making sure patients can request appointments online throughout core hours.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_50

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) elderly and (b) vulnerable patients can telephone their GP surgery for assistance rather than using online or digital services. \p Stephen Kinnock: We understand that not all patients can or want to use online services. The GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a general practitioner.

The 2025/26 GP Contract includes a new requirement for practices to enable online appointment requests throughout the duration of core opening hours, which will ease pressure on phone lines for people who prefer to telephone.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_51

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the press notice entitled New deal for GPs will fix the front door of the NHS, published on 28 February 2025, whether the funding announced in that notice is in addition to funding allocated to his Department at the Autumn Budget 2024. \p Stephen Kinnock: We have made necessary decisions to fix the foundations of the public finances in the Autumn Budget. Resource spending for the Department will be £22.6 billion more in 2025/26 than in 2023/24, as part of the Spending Review settlement.

As a part of this allocation, we are investing £889 million in core general practice (GP) funding, and up to £80 million for the use of Advice and Guidance between GPs and consultants. This brings the total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26, the biggest increase in over a decade. We are pleased that the General Practitioners Committee England is supportive of the contract changes.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_52

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of ADHD assessments in identifying that condition in girls. \p Stephen Kinnock: It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

NICE guidelines on ADHD, published and updated in September 2019, aim to improve the diagnosis of ADHD, recognising that ADHD may be under-diagnosed in women and girls, and to improve the quality of care and support that people of all ages who are diagnosed with ADHD receive.

NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is working to bring together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors. The taskforce is working to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including timely and equitable access to services and support, with the final report expected in the summer.

In conjunction with the taskforce, NHS England has carried out detailed work to develop an ADHD data improvement plan to inform future service planning. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support systems to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_53

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in local authority funded adult social care beds due to the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on the number of delayed hospital discharges. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_54

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for Care Quality Commission initial inspections for (a) GP practices, (b) dental practices and (c) care homes. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_55

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of waiting times for Care Quality Commission initial inspections for (a) GP practices, (b) dental practices and (c) care homes. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_56

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on changes to farming subsidies. \p Daniel Zeichner: Agriculture is a devolved policy area. Defra and devolved Government officials meet routinely to share experiences and insight regarding our respective agricultural policies.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_57

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Border Inspection Post at Stansted Airport on the British horseracing industry; and whether he plans to take steps to ensure horses are able to continue travelling to and from the UK by air. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is aware that Stansted has signalled an intention to relocate its Border Inspection Post to another site and that the timing of this remains uncertain. This is a commercial decision for the airport’s owners. No application to de-designate the existing site or designate a new site has been received. The Department stands ready to help progress such applications when received.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_58

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to implement a national Digital Equine ID system to ensure the traceability of all horses. \p Daniel Zeichner: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The Government recognises the importance of the equine sector to the UK economy and to improving equine identification and traceability. We have no current plans to implement mandatory digital identification, but we remain in close touch with the industry to look at potential improvements.