theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to NHS dentistry in (a) South Norfolk constituency and (b) Norfolk. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the South Norfolk constituency, this is the NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the time taken for people on mental health waiting lists to be (a) assessed and (b) treated. \p Stephen Kinnock: It is unacceptable that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and we know that waits for mental health services are far too long. We are determined to change that.

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, this Government will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment which will also help ease pressure on busy mental health services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to (a) treatment and (b) support services for people with arthritis; and what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the condition. \p Andrew Gwynne: Services for those with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, including arthritis, are commissioned locally by integrated care boards (ICBs). The Department expects MSK services to be fully incorporated into integrated care system planning and decision-making.

As announced in the Get Britain Working white paper, we are delivering the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England, Getting It Right First-Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT teams will deploy their proven Further Faster model to work with ICB leaders to further reduce MSK community waiting times, including for those with arthritis, and improve data and metrics and referral pathways to wider support services.

We will deliver an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments per week during our first year in Government, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring that patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks. The Government announced £1.5 billion of new capital investment in the Autumn Budget, including investment for new diagnostic scanners and surgical hubs. This investment in scanners will build capacity for over 30,000 additional procedures and 1.25 million diagnostic tests as they come online.

To support health and care professionals in the early diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and in the provision of services for people living with arthritis, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published expert guidance for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, with both pieces of guidance available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng100

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226

The Department funds research into MSK conditions, including arthritis, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Through this route, the Department spent approximately £26.3 million on MSK research in 2023/24, and £79.2 million since 2019/20. In particular, the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre aims to improve treatment for osteoarthritis. The NIHR, in collaboration with Versus Arthritis, also funds a dedicated UK Musculoskeletal Translational Research Collaboration, aligning investment in MSK translational research and creating a United Kingdom-wide ambition and focus to drive cutting edge research and improve outcomes for patients.

In order to improve awareness and understanding of arthritis amongst primary care professionals, including general practitioners, the Royal College of General Practitioners has produced an e-learning module on inflammatory arthritis, in partnership with the British Society of Rheumatology.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had meetings with representatives of the British Society for Genetic Medicine in the last 30 years. \p Andrew Gwynne: In the last 30 years, officials in the Department of Health and, later, the Department of Health and Social Care, have had meetings with representatives of the British Society for Genetic Medicine. As far as can be determined, ministers have also had meetings with representatives of the British Society for Genetic Medicine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to cardiac screening for young people who take part in sports and exercise. \p Andrew Gwynne: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019, and concluded that screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

Research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use in young people without symptoms, and that treatments and interventions were not based on good scientific evidence to prevent SCD.

To stop SCDs in young people, the current consensus is to focus on rapid identification and care of people who are likely to be at risk of SCD due to a family link or because they have had symptoms, and to train people to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to use defibrillators.

NHS England has published guidance for inherited cardiac conditions which requires services to investigate patients with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease, suggestive symptoms, or patients from families with sudden unexplained deaths. Where a genetic variation is identified, cascade testing is offered to relatives based on risk.

We are aware that the UK NSC has received a submission via its annual call process to consider SCD screening in young people aged 14 to 35 years old engaging in sport. The UK NSC is currently reviewing all annual call proposals. Further information on the annual call process is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide increased access to high-intensity focused ultrasound laser therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. \p Andrew Gwynne: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed interventional procedures guidance on high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer and focal therapy using HIFU for localised prostate cancer. This type of guidance considers if interventional procedures are safe and work well enough for wider use in the National Health Service, and both pieces of guidance acknowledge that there is a lack of evidence on quality-of-life benefits and long-term survival.

The NICE’s guidelines recommend that HIFU should not be offered to people with localised or locally advanced prostate cancer, other than in the context of controlled clinical trials comparing their use with established interventions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the call for evidence for the men’s health strategy; and what estimate he has made of when the men’s health strategy will be published. \p Andrew Gwynne: On 28 November 2024, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced plans for England’s first Men’s Health Strategy, to be delivered this year.

The strategy will be informed by a call for evidence which will be launched shortly. The call for evidence will seek views on what is currently working and what more needs to be done to support the health of all men.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the warning signs of lobular breast cancer. \p Andrew Gwynne: NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns to increase the knowledge of cancer symptoms and address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms, including symptoms of lobular breast cancer, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an early point.

NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, also publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including lobular breast cancer. Further information can be found on the NHS.UK website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to regulate the advertising of vapes in local vape shops on high streets so that they do not appeal to children. \p Andrew Gwynne: We know that vapes and other nicotine products are being deliberately branded and advertised to appeal to children. This must be stopped to protect future generations from being hooked on nicotine. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been introduced to Parliament, and bans vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children to stop the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine. The bill will ban all forms of advertising of vaping and other nicotine products, including in local vape shops, as well as sponsorship agreements which promote them.

We must also reduce the visibility and accessibility of vapes to protect children and non-smokers from getting hooked on nicotine. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will provide powers to introduce future regulations on where and how vapes and other nicotine products can be displayed, including in the windows and inside local vape shops.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Michael Payne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the care of people with Addison's disease including (a) providing clearer information and (b) ensuring timely access to (i) treatment and (ii) support. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Addison’s disease. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, which include increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs.  We remain committed to delivering under the framework and will publish an annual England action plan in 2025.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) provide primary care practitioners with a readily accessible summary of the current evidence base and practical advice on best practice. Currently, the NICE has a CKS on Addison’s disease. This includes when to suspect Addison’s disease, a management section, and a self-care advice section to support both patients and family members or carers. Further information on the NICE’s CKS on Addison’s disease is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/addisons-disease/management/

NHS England has previously published a National Patient Safety Alert on Steroid Emergency Card to support the early recognition and treatment of an adrenal crisis in adults. These alerts require action to be taken by healthcare providers, to reduce the risk of death or disability. Further information on the alert is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-patient-safety-alert-steroid-emergency-card-to-support-early-recognition-and-treatment-of-adrenal-crisis-in-adults/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made in reducing waiting times for (a) speech and language therapy services and (b) neurodevelopmental services. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department and NHS England are committed to reducing long waits and improving timely access to community health services. This includes improving access to Speech and Language Therapy through the Early Language and Support for Every Child (ELSEC) pathfinder project within the Department for Education’s existing £70 million Change Programme in partnership with NHS England. The ELSEC programme provides training and support to education settings to increase their ability to support speech, language, and communication development.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

On 5 April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the National Health Service to deliver improved outcomes for children, young people, and adults referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance also sets out what support should be available before an assessment and what support should follow a recent diagnosis of autism. In 2024/25, £4.3 million is available nationally to improve services for autistic children and young people, including autism assessment services.

In respect of ADHD, we are supporting a cross-sector taskforce that NHS England has launched into challenges in ADHD service provision and its impact on patient experience. The taskforce is bringing together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the National Health Service, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, including timely access to services and support.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Michael Payne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) provide timely (i) diagnosis and (ii) treatment and (b) improve other support for adults with autism. \p Stephen Kinnock: It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including autism assessments and support services for autistic people, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

On 5 April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the National Health Service to deliver improved outcomes for children, young people, and adults referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance also sets out what support should be available before an assessment and what support should follow a recent diagnosis of autism based on the available evidence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of the Disabled Facilities Grant. \p Stephen Kinnock: My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has meetings with Cabinet colleagues on a range of health and social care issues.

We are giving older and disabled people more independence in their own homes through an immediate in-year uplift to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) of £86 million in 2024/25. This increase will provide around 7,800 additional home adaptations. This is on top of the £625 million paid to local authorities in May 2024. The Government also announced an £86 million additional investment in the DFG for 2025/26 at the Budget, bringing total funding for 2025/26 to £711 million also.

To ensure the DFG is as effective as possible, we will continue to keep different aspects of the grant under consideration. As part of this, we are reviewing the suitability of the current upper limit and will set out further detail in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the dementia diagnosis rate was for people aged under 65 who had developed symptoms on 13 January 2025; and if he will publish a monthly estimate of this rate within national primary care dementia data. \p Stephen Kinnock: The dementia diagnosis rate is not calculated for patients aged under 65 years old. This is because the numbers of patients known to have dementia in the sample population age groups comprising the zero- to 64-year-old age range is not large enough for reliable estimates to be made.

The Primary Care Dementia Data publication includes a monthly count of the number of patients aged 65 years old and under who do have a dementia diagnosis on their patient record, which is expressed as a raw count, and as a percentage of registered patients aged zero to 64 years old.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the age profile is of the NHS midwifery workforce in (a) the most recent month for which figures are available and (b) the same month in each year since 2015. \p Karin Smyth: The tables attached show the age profile of the National Health Service midwifery workforce in the most recent month for which figures are available, and in the same month in each year since 2015.

Tables for PQ23500  (xlsx, 19.5KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of mental health support for winter 2024-25. \p Stephen Kinnock: We do not underestimate how challenging winter will be again this year for the National Health Service. The national approach on priorities for winter planning was issued on 16 September 2024. As part of this, maintaining patient safety and experience will continue to be an overriding priority.

Building on what we know works, this winter the NHS is implementing a range of initiatives to support those who need care, including that patients will be assessed at the front door of accident and emergency units so that they can then be directed to the most appropriate place to get care, including mental health care.

People with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies Services or be referred by their general practitioner. The Autumn Budget prioritised the funding to deliver expansions of NHS Talking Therapies, demonstrating our commitment to addressing the root cause of mental health issues.

Anyone in England experiencing a mental health crisis can now speak to a trained NHS professional at any time through a new mental health option on NHS 111. Trained NHS staff will assess patients over the phone and guide callers with next steps such organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to alternatives services, such as crisis cafés or safe havens which provide a place for people to stay as an alternative to accident and emergency or a hospital admission.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to implement the fresh approach to supporting unpaid carers recommended by the Darzi Review. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is committed to ensuring that families have the support that they need. We want to ensure that people who care for family and friends are better able to look after their own health and wellbeing.

We have already taken action to support unpaid carers. From April 2025 we will increase the Carer's Allowance weekly earnings limit from £151 a week to £196, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage. This means carers can earn up to £10,000 a year whilst still retaining Carer's Allowance, which is approximately an additional £2,000 a year.

Lord Darzi’s independent review of the National Health Service is clear that a fresh approach to supporting and involving unpaid carers is required to improve outcomes for carers, people needing care, and the NHS.

We are carefully considering these findings as part of our 10-year plan for reforming and modernising the NHS, and as we develop plans to reform adult social care, including through the National Care Service.

All unpaid carers can have their say on the future of the NHS to ensure their voice is heard by sharing their views at the following link:

https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/projects/start-here
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will work with the care sector to establish a (a) National Care Agency to (i) set minimum standards of care and (ii) act as a regulator and (b) Royal College of Careworkers to (A) improve recognition, (B) deliver training and development and (C) ensure the highest professional standards. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are launching an independent commission into adult social care as part of delivering a National Care Service and adult social care reform. The Secretary of State has invited representatives of the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and the Green Party to take part in cross-party talks on this to build consensus regarding the commission and what it will achieve. This will start a national conversation about what care and support working age adults, older people, and their families should expect from adult social care. The Commission will look at all aspects of the adult social care system, identifying the biggest challenges in adult social care and recommending practical changes to best meet the current and future needs of the population over the coming decades.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Joani Reid:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of Bedrocan oil. \p Karin Smyth: Bedrocan oils are a range of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. These products have not been assessed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for safety, quality, or efficacy, or assessed by National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for clinical and cost effectiveness.

Bedrocan, and other unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use, are available from independent providers across the United Kingdom, regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use can only be prescribed by, or under the direction of, a clinician on the General Medical Council Specialist Register. Prescribers of unlicensed medicines have increase medico-legal responsibilities and are responsible for the quality and availability of the medicine prescribed.

These products are not routinely prescribed on the National Health Service, as clinical guidelines from the NICE demonstrate a clear need for further evidence on the safety and effectiveness of unlicensed cannabis-based medicines to support prescribing decisions.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has issued two calls for research proposals and a highlight notice on medicinal cannabis. Manufacturers, including those for Bedrocan oils, are responsible for generating evidence to support the use of these products and to seek regulatory approval. The Government encourages manufacturers to do so and offers scientific and research advice from the MHRA and the NIHR.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any funding previously allocated to the Dental Recovery Plan has been withdrawn. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are currently reviewing the Dental Recovery Plan that was published on 7 February 2024 and the policies that can be taken forward effectively and within National Health Service budgets. It is clear the plan did not go far enough and so we are also working on further measures, prioritising initiatives that will see the biggest impact on access to NHS dental care.

Dental budgets remain ringfenced as per the 2024/25 revenue and contracting guidance, and integrated care boards should continue to seek to invest the full amount in dental activity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the age profile is of the NHS midwifery workforce for each Agenda for Change pay band in each region of England in the most recent month for which figures are available. \p Karin Smyth: The table attached shows the age profile of the National Health Service midwifery workforce for each Agenda for Change pay band, in each region of England.

Tables for PQ23499  (xlsx, 29.7KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a weekly cap on domiciliary care costs. \p Stephen Kinnock: We announced on 3 January 2025 that we are launching an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service.

Chaired by Baroness Louise Casey and reporting to the Prime Minister, the Commission will work with people who draw on care and their families, staff, politicians, and the public, private and third sector to make clear recommendations for how to rebuild the adult social care system to meet the current and future needs of the population.

The Commission will be comprehensive and will build on the expert proposals of other reviews, including that of Sir Andrew Dilnot into care funding and support. It will be broader and wider than ever before, asking essential questions about the shape and future of the social care sector, including what long-term and sustainable funding solutions should look like.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the availability of GP appointments in South Holland and the Deepings constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are committed to improving capacity and access to local services across the country, including in South Holland and Deepings. That is why, in October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified general practitioners (GPs) across England. This will increase the number of appointments delivered in general practice, which will benefit thousands of patients that are struggling to care the care they desperately need. This will also secure the future supply of GPs and take pressure off those currently working in the system.

We will bring back the family doctor for those who would benefit from seeing the same clinician regularly, improving continuity of care, which is associated with better health outcomes and fewer A&E attendances.

Additionally, we have announced a proposed £889 million uplift to the GP contract for 2025/26, the largest uplift in years, with a rising share of total National Health Service resources going to general practice. We are currently consulting the profession on key proposals to improve access, continuity of care and GP recruitment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the regulation of private dental charges. \p Stephen Kinnock: The National Health Service contracts independent dental providers to deliver NHS dental treatment. Dentists must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which can only be provided on a private basis, and the costs associated for each. If a patient decides to choose alternative private options, this should be included in their treatment plan.

The Department and NHS England do not control the cost of private dental or orthodontic treatment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to make dentistry more affordable. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is committed to National Health Service dental services being available for all those who need them. Free NHS dental care is available to people who meet one of the following criteria:

Support is also available through the NHS Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for exemption or full remission of dental patient charges. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

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Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21526 on Methylphenidate: Norfolk, how many prescriptions for methylphenidate were dispensed by Norfolk and Waveney (a) integrated care board and (b) clinical commissioning group in each year between 2019 and 2024. \p Karin Smyth: The Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) from the NHS Business Services Authority provides the total number of prescription items of each medicine dispensed in the community in England. The following table shows the total number of National Health Service prescription items for the chemical substance methylphenidate that were dispensed in the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) area from January 2019 to October 2024, latest data available, regardless of where prescribed:

Total prescription items dispensed in Norfolk and Waveney ICB

2019

33,733

2020

30,723

2021

31,320

2022

31,267

2023

32,138

2024

28,249

Note: data for 2024 is from January to October.   In addition, the following table shows the total number of NHS prescription items for the chemical substance methylphenidate that were prescribed by cost centres linked to the Sub ICB Location (SICBL), or prior to 2020, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area of Norfolk and Waveney, from January 2019 to October 2024:

Total prescription items prescribed in Norfolk and Waveney SICBL

2019

31,751

2020

29,665

2021

30,334

2022

30,431

2023

31,233

2024

27,086

Notes:

The CCG relates to the prescribing organisation, so the statistics are consistent with the English prescribing datasets rather than the dispensing organisation shown in PCA.
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Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Biggest investment into hospices in a generation, dated 19 December 2024, how much of the £100 million funding will be allocated to the North East and North Cumbria integrated care board area. \p Stephen Kinnock: We are working closely, and at pace, with NHS England on this once in a generation funding boost. We will set out the details of the funding allocation and dissemination in the coming weeks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_45

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to measure the potential impact of the (a) amount and (b) distribution of funding for mental health services on the (i) quality and (ii) accessibility of those services for patients. \p Stephen Kinnock: All integrated care boards met the Mental Health Investment Standard for 2023/24, meaning that their investment in mental health services increased in line with their overall increase in funding for the year. Information for 2024/25 is expected to become available later this year.

NHS England publishes new waiting time metrics in line with the clinical review of mental health access standards. These are published monthly via the mental health services data set, which delivers robust, comprehensive, nationally consistent, and comparable person-based information for children, young people, and adults who are in contact with mental health services.

This dataset is also used to inform the NHS Mental Health Dashboard and provides transparency in assessing how National Health Service mental health services in England are performing, alongside technical details explaining how mental health services are funded and delivered.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_46

Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to specialist speech and language therapy services for children in (a) Merseyside and (b) Knowsley constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department regularly monitors waiting lists for community services, including speech and language therapy, and is committed to reducing long waits and improving timely access to community health services, including for speech and language therapy services for children. Community health services, including speech and language therapy, are locally commissioned to enable systems to best meet the needs of their communities.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_47

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing guidance to hospitals on using withheld numbers to contact patients about appointments. \p Karin Smyth: National Health Services may sometimes choose to use withheld numbers when contacting patients, including to protect patient privacy and confidentiality, but we appreciate the frustration that patients can feel when they are unable to contact clinical staff, especially following a call from a withheld number, and recognise the importance of patients being able to establish channels of two-way communication.

The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out the reform and productivity efforts needed to ensure patients are seen on time, but also to improve their experience of care, which includes enhancing and improving two-way communication between patients and NHS services, whether through digital options such as an enhanced NHS App or non-digital routes.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_48

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the New Hospital Programme Review has been completed; and when he plans to announce the results of the review. \p Karin Smyth: The review is complete, and we will publish the outcome of the review, including a new and realistic delivery schedule for the New Hospital Programme, shortly.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_50

Mr Paul Foster:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring the NHS to pay for all medications supplied to hospices. \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/answers2025-01-16 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_51

Mr Paul Foster:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which hospices (a) have all medication supplied (i) for free and (ii) at a discounted rate and (b) do not have medication supplied by the NHS. \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/answers2025-01-16 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_52

Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he plans to extend the assurances provided on funding for the increase in employer National Insurance costs to NHS Trusts to general practice. \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/answers2025-01-16 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_53

Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion patients who attended A&E with a respiratory condition and were admitted to a hospital ward were subsequently readmitted with a respiratory condition at a later date at each acute hospital trust since 2019. \p Karin Smyth: A table showing the information requested is attached.

PQ22251 Table (xlsx, 57.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_54

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of illegal vapes seized at the border in (a) 2024 and (b) 2023. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Border Force have a strong track record in targeting illegal commodities, and continue to ensure that all goods brought into the UK by passengers are appropriately declared and abide by customs and excise rules.

For information the latest transparency returns can be found at the link here: Border Force transparency data: Q3 2024 - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_55

Alex Sobel:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether dual citizens with British or Irish nationality are required to apply for electronic travel authorisation to travel to the UK in instances where their British or Irish passport has expired. \p Seema Malhotra: We recommend that all dual nationals travel on a valid British or Irish citizen passport (or Irish passport card) or with a passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to minimise any potential delay during their journey; or at the border.

Carriers bringing passengers to the UK routinely carry out checks to ensure passengers hold genuine, valid documents, so, it is likely that passengers seeking to rely on an expired passport to establish a permission to travel may be delayed or even denied travel.

British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA to enter the UK and should not apply for one.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_56

Nigel Farage:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to prescribe Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. \p Dan Jarvis: I refer the Hon. member to the answer provided to question UIN 23462.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_57

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department considers the Muslim Brotherhood and its international offshoots to be extremist entities. \p Dan Jarvis: The Government does not routinely comment on individual groups or cases and Home Office officials continually seek to build and refresh their knowledge of the threat from extremism, as the landscape is constantly evolving. This includes disrupting the activities of those who seek to radicalise others but operate – often intentionally – below legal thresholds.

While the Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations in the UK under review, we do not routinely comment on whether or not an organisation is under consideration for proscription.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_58

Uma Kumaran:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024, the Department has spent £0 on media and voice training for Ministers.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_59

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued guidance to political parties on the United States of America’s Foreign Agents Registration Scheme for campaigning overseas. \p Dan Jarvis: Guidance on other country’s regulations is a matter for the country concerned. Information on the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice website.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_60

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her planned timetable is for the implementation of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023. \p Jess Phillips: The Government is committed to halving levels of violence against women and girls in a decade. An important part of this ambition is tackling public sexual harassment which often leaves people, disproportionately women, feeling very unsafe. The Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 is intended to make this type of harassment a specific offence.

As with any new criminal justice legislation, an implementation period is necessary to ensure all processes, systems and guidance are updated - including drawing up statutory guidance. We will confirm next steps on implementation of the Act at the earliest opportunity.
wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-16 conversation_61

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's transparency data entitled Breakdown of Home Office costs associated with the MEDP with Rwanda and the Illegal Migration Act 2023, Table 1: Home Office spend on the MEDP and the IMA, published on 2 December 2024, if she will provide a breakdown of the Other fixed costs referenced in that table. \p Dame Angela Eagle: In reference to this published document Breakdown of Home Office costs associated with the MEDP with Rwanda and the Illegal Migration Act 2023, a further breakdown of row 4 of Table 1 ‘other fixed costs’ is as follows:

Other Fixed Costs (£m)*

2022/23

2023/24

24/25 (to  June 24)

Total

Costs incurred to design and develop the digital, IT and data systems required to operationalise the MEDP and IMA

0

122

12

134

Programme and legal costs

0

50

7

57

Cost of staff working directly on MEDP & IMA policies

0

61

26

87

Total

0

233

45

278

* Figures are to the nearest £1 million

Please note the figures in Table 1 of the referenced publication on gov.uk were rounded to the nearest £5 million either way for technical reasons.