Written questions by McDonald.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of paramedic prescribers.

The Department remains committed to exploring the extension of medicine responsibilities for non-medical professionals, where it is safe and appropriate to do so. This will support the aim that patients are cared for, and treated by, the most appropriate healthcare professional to meet their needs.Many regulated healthcare professionals have already received extended medicine responsibilities and prescribing rights, and the Department is committed to assessing the impact that these changes have had on patient care. No specific assessment of the impact of the Misuse of Drugs (England, Wales, and Scotland) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 2023 has been made so far. The Department is progressing with work to better understand the uptake of current medicine responsibilities, including prescribing responsibilities, for professions such as paramedics.There is a process in place for making changes to prescribing responsibilities to ensure proposals are safe and beneficial for patients. The Department is carefully considering proposals for the extension of such responsibilities to a range of healthcare professionals, and will review outstanding requests as quickly as possible.

What assessment he has made of the impact of The Misuse of Drugs (England, Wales, and Scotland) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 2023 on patient care.

The Department remains committed to exploring the extension of medicine responsibilities for non-medical professionals, where it is safe and appropriate to do so. This will support the aim that patients are cared for, and treated by, the most appropriate healthcare professional to meet their needs.Many regulated healthcare professionals have already received extended medicine responsibilities and prescribing rights, and the Department is committed to assessing the impact that these changes have had on patient care. No specific assessment of the impact of the Misuse of Drugs (England, Wales, and Scotland) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 2023 has been made so far. The Department is progressing with work to better understand the uptake of current medicine responsibilities, including prescribing responsibilities, for professions such as paramedics.There is a process in place for making changes to prescribing responsibilities to ensure proposals are safe and beneficial for patients. The Department is carefully considering proposals for the extension of such responsibilities to a range of healthcare professionals, and will review outstanding requests as quickly as possible.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to expand prescribing rights for controlled drugs by paramedic prescribers.

The Department remains committed to exploring the extension of medicine responsibilities for non-medical professionals, where it is safe and appropriate to do so. This will support the aim that patients are cared for, and treated by, the most appropriate healthcare professional to meet their needs.Many regulated healthcare professionals have already received extended medicine responsibilities and prescribing rights, and the Department is committed to assessing the impact that these changes have had on patient care. No specific assessment of the impact of the Misuse of Drugs (England, Wales, and Scotland) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 2023 has been made so far. The Department is progressing with work to better understand the uptake of current medicine responsibilities, including prescribing responsibilities, for professions such as paramedics.There is a process in place for making changes to prescribing responsibilities to ensure proposals are safe and beneficial for patients. The Department is carefully considering proposals for the extension of such responsibilities to a range of healthcare professionals, and will review outstanding requests as quickly as possible.

What the average waiting time is for (a) children and (b) adults to have an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment in Middlesbrough & Thornaby East constituency.

There is, at present, no single, established dataset that can be used to monitor waiting times for the assessment and diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) nationally or for individual organisations or geographies in England. Although the data requested is not held centrally, it may be held locally by individual National Health Service trusts or commissioners.We are supporting a taskforce that NHS England has established to look at ADHD service provision and its impact on patient experience. The taskforce is bringing together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the NHS, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, including timely access to services and support.In conjunction with the taskforce, NHS England has carried out detailed work to develop a data improvement plan, understand the provider and commissioning landscape, and capture examples from integrated care boards who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services.

How many (a) children and (b) adults are waiting for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment in Middlesbrough & Thornaby East constituency.

There is, at present, no single, established dataset that can be used to monitor waiting times for the assessment and diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) nationally or for individual organisations or geographies in England. Although the data requested is not held centrally, it may be held locally by individual National Health Service trusts or commissioners.We are supporting a taskforce that NHS England has established to look at ADHD service provision and its impact on patient experience. The taskforce is bringing together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the NHS, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, including timely access to services and support.In conjunction with the taskforce, NHS England has carried out detailed work to develop a data improvement plan, understand the provider and commissioning landscape, and capture examples from integrated care boards who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services.

When he expects NHS England to publish a national ADHD data improvement plan.

NHS England is currently working on the national ADHD data improvement plan, and is engaging with system and stakeholder partners to quality assure this work with a view to publication once it has been through NHS England’s internal assurance and governance processes.

What steps he is taking to improve attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment waiting list times.

There is, at present, no single, established dataset that can be used to monitor waiting times for the assessment and diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) nationally or for individual organisations or geographies in England. Although the data requested is not held centrally, it may be held locally by individual National Health Service trusts or commissioners.We are supporting a taskforce that NHS England has established to look at ADHD service provision and its impact on patient experience. The taskforce is bringing together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the NHS, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, including timely access to services and support.In conjunction with the taskforce, NHS England has carried out detailed work to develop a data improvement plan, understand the provider and commissioning landscape, and capture examples from integrated care boards who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services.

What social care pathways are available for people whose acquired brain injury is identified when they are in the criminal justice system.

People in prison are entitled to the same range and quality of health services that they would receive in the community. Offender health services are commissioned by NHS England.All people in prison should receive an early health screening within the first 24 hours of entry, and a further health assessment within seven days. The initial assessment is fully comprehensive, to ensure that all physical and mental health needs are identified, including if the person has a brain injury, and where appropriate, that treatment is commenced at an early stage.Health services in prison include health screening, primary care, secondary mental health, and substance misuse services. Where services cannot be provided in prison, prisoners are supported to access services with an appropriate escort.Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014.Local authorities further have a duty to shape their care markets and commission a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.

What health pathways are available for people whose acquired brain injury is identified when they are in the criminal justice system.

People in prison are entitled to the same range and quality of health services that they would receive in the community. Offender health services are commissioned by NHS England.All people in prison should receive an early health screening within the first 24 hours of entry, and a further health assessment within seven days. The initial assessment is fully comprehensive, to ensure that all physical and mental health needs are identified, including if the person has a brain injury, and where appropriate, that treatment is commenced at an early stage.Health services in prison include health screening, primary care, secondary mental health, and substance misuse services. Where services cannot be provided in prison, prisoners are supported to access services with an appropriate escort.Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014.Local authorities further have a duty to shape their care markets and commission a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14-17, (b) 18-25 and (c) 26 and over who enter prison custody and are assessed for brain injury within seven days are found to have an acquired brain injury.

The information requested is not held centrally. When children and young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years old enter the secure estate, they receive the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) reception assessment within two hours. This is an evidence-based assessment tool for use with under 18-year-olds, and includes questions on traumatic brain injury. The questions included in the assessment ask whether they have ever experienced any loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes and whether they have experienced repeated loss of consciousness on more than three occasions.The child or young person will receive a further neurodisability assessment within ten days of admission as part of the CHAT. This also includes questions on traumatic brain injury. Clinicians would then determine the need for any ongoing referral as necessary.Those over the age of 18 years old who are entering the adult estate receive the reception assessment within 24 hours. This includes questions on whether they have disabilities and specifically asks:whether they have had a head injury in the past few days, and asks them to provide details about this; andwhether they have been a victim of domestic abuse.Practitioners are then asked to record whether a head injury is apparent or not and whether there is a history of loss of consciousness. Practitioners will also assess the severity of any potential head injury and whether any treatment is needed.Within one week of entering the adult estate, a secondary assessment will be conducted. This includes questions about brain injury. As part of the secondary assessment, practitioners will:note the number of head injuries and number of losses of consciousness;note any memory or concentration impairments; andask if the patient has ever lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes, and asks them to provide details about this.It would then be the clinicians’ discretion as to whether to also carry out a validated acquired brain injury screening tool as required.

What data his Department collects on the health outcomes of people in prison who are screened as having a previously acquired brain injury.

The data requested is not held centrally.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14-17, (b) 18-25 and (c) 26 and over who enter prison custody receive a screening for previously acquired brain injury within 24 hours.

The information requested is not held centrally. When children and young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years old enter the secure estate, they receive the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) reception assessment within two hours. This is an evidence-based assessment tool for use with under 18-year-olds, and includes questions on traumatic brain injury. The questions included in the assessment ask whether they have ever experienced any loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes and whether they have experienced repeated loss of consciousness on more than three occasions.The child or young person will receive a further neurodisability assessment within ten days of admission as part of the CHAT. This also includes questions on traumatic brain injury. Clinicians would then determine the need for any ongoing referral as necessary.Those over the age of 18 years old who are entering the adult estate receive the reception assessment within 24 hours. This includes questions on whether they have disabilities and specifically asks:whether they have had a head injury in the past few days, and asks them to provide details about this; andwhether they have been a victim of domestic abuse.Practitioners are then asked to record whether a head injury is apparent or not and whether there is a history of loss of consciousness. Practitioners will also assess the severity of any potential head injury and whether any treatment is needed.Within one week of entering the adult estate, a secondary assessment will be conducted. This includes questions about brain injury. As part of the secondary assessment, practitioners will:note the number of head injuries and number of losses of consciousness;note any memory or concentration impairments; andask if the patient has ever lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes, and asks them to provide details about this.It would then be the clinicians’ discretion as to whether to also carry out a validated acquired brain injury screening tool as required.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14-17, (b) 18-25 and (c) 26 and over who enter prison custody and are screened for brain injury within 24 hours are found to have an acquired brain injury.

The information requested is not held centrally. When children and young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years old enter the secure estate, they receive the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) reception assessment within two hours. This is an evidence-based assessment tool for use with under 18-year-olds, and includes questions on traumatic brain injury. The questions included in the assessment ask whether they have ever experienced any loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes and whether they have experienced repeated loss of consciousness on more than three occasions.The child or young person will receive a further neurodisability assessment within ten days of admission as part of the CHAT. This also includes questions on traumatic brain injury. Clinicians would then determine the need for any ongoing referral as necessary.Those over the age of 18 years old who are entering the adult estate receive the reception assessment within 24 hours. This includes questions on whether they have disabilities and specifically asks:whether they have had a head injury in the past few days, and asks them to provide details about this; andwhether they have been a victim of domestic abuse.Practitioners are then asked to record whether a head injury is apparent or not and whether there is a history of loss of consciousness. Practitioners will also assess the severity of any potential head injury and whether any treatment is needed.Within one week of entering the adult estate, a secondary assessment will be conducted. This includes questions about brain injury. As part of the secondary assessment, practitioners will:note the number of head injuries and number of losses of consciousness;note any memory or concentration impairments; andask if the patient has ever lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes, and asks them to provide details about this.It would then be the clinicians’ discretion as to whether to also carry out a validated acquired brain injury screening tool as required.

What data his Department collects on the safety outcomes of people in prison who are screened as having a previously acquired brain injury.

The data requested is not held centrally.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14-17, (b) 18-25 and (c) 26 and over who enter prison custody receive an assessment for previously acquired brain injury within seven days.

The information requested is not held centrally. When children and young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years old enter the secure estate, they receive the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) reception assessment within two hours. This is an evidence-based assessment tool for use with under 18-year-olds, and includes questions on traumatic brain injury. The questions included in the assessment ask whether they have ever experienced any loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes and whether they have experienced repeated loss of consciousness on more than three occasions.The child or young person will receive a further neurodisability assessment within ten days of admission as part of the CHAT. This also includes questions on traumatic brain injury. Clinicians would then determine the need for any ongoing referral as necessary.Those over the age of 18 years old who are entering the adult estate receive the reception assessment within 24 hours. This includes questions on whether they have disabilities and specifically asks:whether they have had a head injury in the past few days, and asks them to provide details about this; andwhether they have been a victim of domestic abuse.Practitioners are then asked to record whether a head injury is apparent or not and whether there is a history of loss of consciousness. Practitioners will also assess the severity of any potential head injury and whether any treatment is needed.Within one week of entering the adult estate, a secondary assessment will be conducted. This includes questions about brain injury. As part of the secondary assessment, practitioners will:note the number of head injuries and number of losses of consciousness;note any memory or concentration impairments; andask if the patient has ever lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes, and asks them to provide details about this.It would then be the clinicians’ discretion as to whether to also carry out a validated acquired brain injury screening tool as required.

What guidance is available for healthcare professionals in prisons for dealing with people entering custody found to have a previously acquired brain injury.

A range of evidence-based neurodevelopmental support and interventions are offered and delivered to people entering custody, according to individual needs. This includes, but is not limited to, interventions for traumatic brain injury.Headway’s Justice Programme delivers a range of projects and initiatives to raise awareness of the significant number of people in the criminal justice system with an acquired brain injury and their resultant needs, to advocate for change in policy and practice. Through its Justice Programme, Headway is delivering training in identifying the signs of brain injury to thousands of professionals working within the criminal justice system. It has developed Understanding Acquired Brain Injury guides for prison and probation staff.BrainKind provides bespoke training for professionals who support people experiencing homelessness, people in prison, and ex-offenders to raise awareness of the problems individuals can face if suffering from a brain injury, and the tools to support them. The aim of the training is to increase understanding of the impact a brain injury can have on people, to recognise the effects on behaviour, emotions, and social interaction, and to prepare front line service staff working directly with service users within the homelessness or criminal justice system to work with brain-injured individuals.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance in May 2023 on the assessment and early management of head injury. Whilst this guidance is not specific to the prison population, it can be used by healthcare professionals working in prisons.

How many registered dentists were serving NHS patients in the (a) Middlesbrough and (b) Stockton-on-Tees local authority area in each year since 2010.

We do not hold data on the number of dentists who have delivered some National Health Service treatment each year at a local authority level. We have therefore provided data on the number of dentists who delivered NHS care in the Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is the ICB for both local authorities. The following table shows the number of dentists who delivered some NHS dental care each year in the Northeast and North Cumbria ICB, from 2011/12 to 2023/24:YearTotal Registered dentists2011/121,4002012/131,4202013/141,5312014/151,5182015/161,5232016/171,7132017/181,7232018/191,7602019/201,4912020/211,4182021/221,4262022/231,3872023/241,349Source: the figures from 2019 to 2024 are published by the NHS Business Services Authority, and the figures prior to 2019 were published by NHS Digital, and both are available, respectively, at the following two links: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statisticsNote: the figures from the two different data sources are not directly comparable, and caution should be taken when comparing pre and post 2019 figures.

How many individuals were seen by an NHS dentist in the (a) Middlesbrough and (b) Stockton-on-Tees local authority area in each year since 2010.

The following table shows the number of unique adult patients seen by a National Health Service dentist in the Middlesborough and Stockton-on-Tees local authority areas, in the 24 months to June, each year from 2013 to 2024:YearStockton-on-TeesMiddlesborough201390,84370,962201489,49970,394201588,27970,055201688,39273,350201787,80373,490201886,58973,100201985,85956,729202081,50752,893202174,71844,770202269,79738,516202375,80542,998202473,48345,287Source: figures prior to 2019 were published by NHS Digital, and are available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statisticsNote: the figures from the two different data sources are not directly comparable, and caution should be taken when comparing pre and post 2019 figures.The following table shows the number of unique child patients seen by an NHS dentist in the Middlesborough and Stockton-on-Tees local authority areas, in the 12 months to June, each year from 2013 to 2024:YearStockton-on-TeesMiddlesborough201333,10525,002201432,61125,312201532,64825,720201628,00622,755201728,48122,608201828,75422,673201926,85917,892202025,41315,617202117,1318,166202224,04413,579202325,66716,231202427,28817,520Source: figures prior to 2019 were published by NHS Digital, and are available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statisticsNote: the figures from the two different data sources are not directly comparable, and caution should be taken when comparing pre and post 2019 figures.In addition, the attached tables show the number of courses of treatment delivered by an NHS dentist in the Middlesborough and Stockton-on-Tees local authorities, respectively, broken down by band, from 2013/14 to 2023/24.We do not hold local authority level data for the number of adults and children seen prior to 2013, or for the courses of treatment prior to 2013/14. The most recent data has been published by NHS Business Services Authority, and is available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324

What the population per NHS dentist was in each (a) integrated care board and (b) local authority area in England in each year since 2010.

Data on the population per National Health Service dentist in each integrated care board for the years 2019 to 2024 is published on the NHS Business Services Authority website, and is available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324Data prior to 2019 was published by NHS Digital, and is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statisticsWe do not hold data for the population per NHS dentist in each local authority area in England, each year since 2010.

How many individuals were registered with an NHS dentist in the (a) Middlesbrough and (b) Stockton-on-Tees local authority area in each year since 2010.

The information requested is not held centrally. Patients in England are not registered with a National Health Service dental practice, although many NHS dental practices do tend to see patients regularly. There is no geographical restriction on which practice a patient may attend. Some dental practices may operate local waiting list arrangements. NHS dentists are required to keep their NHS.UK website profiles up to date so that patients can find a dentist more easily. This includes information on whether they are accepting new patients. Further information is available at the following link: www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist