Speeches by Beales.

“If you can follow up, that will be really helpful. As you say it is key data, and there is a risk of robbing Peter to pay Paul; we think we are making a saving to the Treasury, but ultimately the Treasury is paying—”

“That would be helpful. On that point, Anita, are you aware of any evidence that models the cost to the Treasury of low pay and poor conditions in the social care sector?”

“I am going to ask a few questions about measuring the costs and data, following on from colleagues’ questions. In previous answers, Oonagh, you talked about having modelled the impacts of different pay levels, following Anita’s point about the indirect costs to the Treasury of low pay in the sector. Did your modelling …”

“Is that possible now with client-level data, or do there need to be evolutions, and additional data collection, to enable that?”

“We may have up to three years until the Casey commission completes its work. Advising Baroness Casey and the Government now, what studies and research could the Government commission to help inform and build an evidence base for reform? Are there particular things that you think are vital now for the commission, to inf…”

“Thank you.”

“Really helpful. Thank you. Lastly, Oonagh, one of the first things you said to the Committee, which was quite stark, was some clear evidence of the benefit to the economy of social care, around indirect and induced values. I want to understand a bit more: do you have any sense of how, relatively, that compares with oth…”

“That would be helpful. I was also interested, Anita, in your point about regional economic development. Do you have any further evidence about the potential regenerative benefits, and benefits to the Treasury, of growth in the sector, and growth in the quality of pay and conditions in the sector, and what that might me…”

“Thank you. As the kinds of questions we are getting to, evidencing and demonstrating data around some of these issues has been a challenge. In the cold light of day, Treasury colleagues are making somewhat harsh decisions about investment, and it can be a barrier. I understand that client-level data has been rolled out…”

“T4. This week marks Time to Talk Day, the Mind campaign to destigmatise talking about mental health. In light of this, will the Secretary of State join me in calling for employers up and down the country to take part in Time to Talk Day and outline what more could be done to end mental health stigma in the workplace?”

“So you are saying that delivering the 10-year plan, switching the health service from analogue to digital, involves getting the last 10% of trusts on to EPRs. It does not sound like the transformational vision that is in the 10-year plan, potentially.”

“Just to challenge that, in Hartlepool at the moment, they are rolling out robotics surgery and they are using AI in MRI scans. You said it is not possible, but why is it fair that in a system like that, people in Hartlepool have access to quite radical transformation and digital innovation, but those in Hillingdon do n…”

“You are clearly outlining the problems with the system, which I completely agree with. I suppose my question is what, structurally, culturally or organisationally, will be done differently by NHS England. You have now subsumed NHS Digital. From the centre, in your leadership role, what will you practically be doing? Wh…”

“My section is on digital transformation, which has been highlighted as quite a major plank in delivering the sorts of changes that are needed in the health service. One of the three major shifts is from analogue to digital, and arguably the other two shifts also hang quite importantly on digital transformation, as you …”

“That is helpful. I am just conscious of time.”

“I guess my question, which I asked five minutes ago, is how and what you will be doing to do that.”

“Is there a commitment for a minimum data-sharing framework with all ICS areas? I think the Hewitt review recommended that. Do you think that has happened? Is that still to happen?”

“Apologies again—I am sorry to rush you. I am not asking about trusts or GPs: I am asking about broader primary care and other community healthcare settings. Are there any plans there?”

“Apologies for rushing you; so there isn’t a date in mind. I appreciate the context, but I have two more points before I finish in two minutes. Neighbourhood working is obviously crucial to the future of the NHS. You have talked about the lack of interoperability between different parts of the health sector in digital i…”

“Are there specific dates for this kind of issue?”