Every parliamentary written question tabled by Blair McDougall this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–6 of 6 · Department of Health and Social Care
Whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of energy drinks on children under 16.
As set out in the King’s Speech, we plan to bring forward the necessary secondary legislation to deliver on our commitment to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16 years old.We are developing plans which consider the potential impact of high-caffeine energy drinks on children, and will set these out in a consultation in due course.
Whether his Department plans to review the regulations on the sale of energy drinks to children under the age of 16.
As set out in the King’s Speech, we plan to bring forward the necessary secondary legislation to deliver on our commitment to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16 years old.We are developing plans which consider the potential impact of high-caffeine energy drinks on children, and will set these out in a consultation in due course.
With reference to his Department's press release of 28 November 2024 entitled, Secretary of State commits to first ever men’s health strategy, if that strategy will consider male incontinence.
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 consider how to prevent and tackle the biggest health problems affecting men. The strategy will be informed by a call for evidence which will be launched shortly, and the remit of the strategy will be outlined in due course.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) information and (b) support available to men living with incontinence.
No such assessment has been made. NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, and health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence. The guidance states that “pathways of care should be commissioned that ensure early assessment, effective management of incontinence, along with other bladder and bowel problems such as constipation and urinary tract infections and their impact on social, physical and mental well-being.” NHS England will consider the next steps for Excellence in Continence Care, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence has produced guidance on the management of faecal incontinence in adults, which healthcare professionals and commissioners are expected to take fully into account when delivering services for people with bowel incontinence. The guidance aims to improve the physical and mental health and quality of life of people with faecal incontinence.
What assessment he has made of the impact of urinary incontinence on men’s (a) physical and (b) mental health.
No such assessment has been made. NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, and health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence. The guidance states that “pathways of care should be commissioned that ensure early assessment, effective management of incontinence, along with other bladder and bowel problems such as constipation and urinary tract infections and their impact on social, physical and mental well-being.” NHS England will consider the next steps for Excellence in Continence Care, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence has produced guidance on the management of faecal incontinence in adults, which healthcare professionals and commissioners are expected to take fully into account when delivering services for people with bowel incontinence. The guidance aims to improve the physical and mental health and quality of life of people with faecal incontinence.
What steps he is taking to (a) reduce waiting times for gynaecological procedures and (b) help support women's health.
Nearly 600,000 women are on gynaecology waiting lists. It is unacceptable that patients are waiting too long to get the care they need. Cutting waiting lists, including for gynaecology procedures, is a key part of our Health Mission and a top priority for the Government.We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by the end of this Parliament, including those waiting for gynaecology treatment. Funding has been confirmed to support the delivery of an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments per week. Capital investment of £1.5 billion for new surgical hubs and scanners has been announced, alongside £70 million for new radiotherapy machines.We are considering how to take forward the Women’s Health Strategy for England, and work continues to improve health outcomes for women. For example, the Department is continuing to work with NHS England to support the establishment of at least one pilot women’s health hub in every integrated care system, following a £25 million investment. As of September 2024, 36 of the 42 integrated care boards reported to NHS England that their pilot women’s health hub was open. The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service and will put women’s equality at the heart of our missions.