Every parliamentary written question tabled by Deirdre Costigan this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 28 · Department of Health and Social Care
What steps he is taking to shift care from hospitals into the community.
It is vital to move services from hospital to community. The Chancellor made funding available for 380,000 more talking therapies for patients and put in place a £26 million capital investment scheme for mental health crisis centres. A lot of work has been done, but there is a lot more still to do.
If he will make a comparative assessment of the adequacy of NHS care at (a) weekends and (b) weekdays.
The National Health Service is committed to ensuring safe, high-quality care is available to patients seven days a week, whether they require emergency treatment or ongoing care. While there are natural variations in activity levels between weekends and weekdays, such as lower elective activity at weekends, hospital teams prioritise urgent care needs to ensure timely and effective treatment regardless of the day. Hospital staffing on weekends is designed to address the severity of patients' conditions and the demands on services.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that people facing homelessness are discharged safely from hospital in winter 2024-25.
The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have published guidance and supporting materials for health and care staff on discharging people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. This ensures that every health and care interaction with a homeless person acts as an opportunity to provide support and signposting, with the aim of ending rough sleeping. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the development of the Government’s plans for social and affordable housing. Further information on the published guidance and supporting materials for health and care staff on discharging people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness
If he will take steps to support the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the diagnosis of bowel cancer; and whether he has made an assessment of the barriers to effective adoption of that implementation.
We recognise the importance of innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) in improving cancer diagnosis. We are supportive of the use of AI to support the diagnosis of many types of cancer, including bowel cancer. New AI technologies are being developed with the potential to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment for diseases such as cancer. The NHS AI Lab has provided £113 million, through the NHS AI Health and Care Awards, to 86 AI technologies, which are live in 40% of National Health Service acute trusts in England, and hundreds of Primary Care Networks across the United Kingdom. Many of these AI technologies are being tested to support with cancer diagnosis.The Department is carrying out work to assess the barriers to effective adoption and improve the way AI tools are deployed across the NHS through a number of initiatives. The NHS AI Lab’s Ethics Initiative invests in research and practical interventions that could strengthen the ethical adoption of AI within health and care, and addresses risks and concerns over their use. Additionally, the NHS AI and Digital regulations service, in partnership with healthcare regulators, gives innovators and health and care providers a one-stop-shop for support, information, and guidance on the regulation and evaluation of AI technologies.
What estimate he has made of the number of colonoscopy procedures in each of the next five years.
The Department does not publish data on future projections for colonoscopy procedures, including projections over the next five years. However, demand modelling is a routine part of our work.The Government is committed to transforming diagnostic services, including for colonoscopies, and will support the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services.
What the average overall cost for bowel cancer patients was in each of the last five years.
Information on the average overall cost for bowel cancer patients is not specifically recorded.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has set out how the Department will receive an additional £22.6 billion in resource spending in 2025/26, compared to 2023/24, which will support the National Health Service to deliver 40,000 additional elective appointments a week, to help bring down waiting lists, which includes appointments for cancer patients.
What the average waiting time was between referral for and receipt of a colonoscopy in each trust in each year between 2020 and 2024.
Data is not held centrally on the average waiting time between referral for and receipt of a colonoscopy in each National Health Service trust, each year between 2020 and 2024.Data is published on the median waiting times nationally for colonoscopies. The median waiting times value represents the point at which 50% of people have been in the waiting list for more than this value, and 50% of people have been in the waiting list, waiting less than this value. It does not directly capture the time from the referral to the test.The following table shows the median waiting time measured in weeks, in August, which is the latest published month of data, each year from 2020 to 2024. 20202021202220232024Median waiting time8.54.54.34.23.1Source: monthly activity and waiting list data for diagnostics is published by NHS England, and is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/monthly-diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/
What steps his Department is taking to help prevent the causes of (a) heart disease and (b) stroke.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is a leading cause of avoidable disability and premature death in the United Kingdom. This is why the Government has set a goal for fewer lives being lost to the biggest killers, including from CVD, and why the NHS England Long Term Plan (2019) sets out a number of actions that aim to help prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes, and dementia cases by 2029.The Government continues to support the delivery of the NHS Health Check programme, England’s CVD prevention programme, to people aged 40 to 74 years old. This programme identifies people at risk of CVD, supports people to reduce their risk, and prevents approximately 400 heart attacks or strokes each year. To improve access and engagement with the life-saving programme, we are developing a digital NHS Health Check which will be ready for testing in early 2025 and will enable people to undertake a check at home. We are also trialling the delivery of heart health checks to over 130,000 people in workplaces across the country.Community pharmacies also provide a free blood pressure check service for anyone over 40 years old. In cases where this results in a high reading, pharmacists can make sure people receive the right National Health Service support to reduce their blood pressure and risk of death or serious disability.We are also taking action on primary prevention to tackle the behavioural risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as smoking and obesity. Action includes introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, implementing the advertising regulations for less healthy food and drink on television and online, and empowering councils to block the development of new fast-food shops outside schools.We know there is more to do to prevent the causes of CVD, including heart disease and stroke. The Department and NHS England are working together to achieve the Government’s ambition for fewer lives lost to the biggest killers, including CVD, and we will share more in due course.
What plans he has to ensure that the National Care Service supports the needs of people from diverse (a) cultural and (b) linguistic backgrounds.
The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.
What progress he has made on implementation of a National Care Service.
The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.
If he will make an assessment of the the potential merits of creating a national strategy to reduce alcohol harm.
Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to understand how best to reduce alcohol-related harms.
What steps his Department is taking to improve care for families after (a) pregnancy loss and (b) the death of a baby.
The Government is committed to delivering compassionate care for women, and supporting parents who have experienced any type of baby loss. Many trusts have specialist bereavement midwives, who are trained to care for and support parents and families who have suffered the loss of their baby. All trusts are signed up to The National Bereavement Care Pathway, which acts as a set of standards and guidance that trusts should follow when a patient has suffered a baby loss. Baby Loss Certificates are now available for all historic and future pregnancy losses, should parents wish to record and receive a certificate to recognise their loss.Paid Parental Bereavement Leave was introduced in 2020. This entitlement is available to parents who lose a child under 18 years old, including where a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy.Following the death of a baby, there are a number of different investigation and review routes available depending on the age of the baby and the circumstances surrounding the death. These include the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations Programme, the Perinatal Mortality Review tool, and the Child Death Review process. These reviews aim to provide answers for bereaved parents about why their baby died and learning for the healthcare system.
What steps he is taking to tackle staffing shortages in the care sector.
The adult social care workforce is growing, with Skills for Care data showing that in 2023/24 there were 1.705 million filled posts, an increase of 70,000 since 2022/23. Whilst this represents an improvement, the Government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and to improve the retention of the workforce.On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our amazing care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals. Fair Pay Agreements will empower worker, employer, and other sector representatives to negotiate pay, terms, and conditions in a regulated and responsible manner. Fair Pay Agreements will help to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector, in turn supporting the continued delivery of high-quality care.
What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) disabled and (b) elderly people are consulted before delivery of a National Care Service.
The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.
What his timeline is for implementation of a National Care Service.
The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.
What steps his Department is taking to improve maternity services.
The Government recognises the significant issues within maternity services. We are determined to ensure all women and babies receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.We are committed to providing support to trusts failing on maternity care, which includes tailored support for those trusts to make rapid improvements using hands-on intensive support through the Maternity Safety Support Programme.We are working to address workforce issues, including committing to recruit thousands of new midwives. NHS England is boosting the midwifery workforce through undergraduate training, apprenticeships, postgraduate conversion, return to midwifery programmes, and international recruitment.We are continuing to work with the National Health Service as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to grow our maternity workforce, develop a culture of safety, and ensure all women, babies and families receive more equitable care.
What steps he is taking to ensure adequate provision of early support for people with poor mental health that live independently.
We know prevention is better than a cure, and early intervention is vital. Part of successful early intervention is ensuring that people, including those that live independently, have access to the mental health support that they need. As part of our mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future, we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to child and adult services to reduce delays, bring waiting times down, and intervene earlier.Our early commitment to roll out Young Futures hubs is also key to this and will offer open-access mental health support for young people in every community. In addition, there are currently approximately 65 locally funded early support hubs in England open to those aged 25 years old and under. During 2024/25, the Department is running a Shared Outcomes Fund project, backed by £8 million, to boost and evaluate the impact of 24 of these existing early support hubs.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact on patient safety of adult social care workers (a) administering vaccines and (b) undertaking other NHS delegated tasks.
Employers in the health and care system are responsible for ensuring that adult social care workers are competent to undertake the healthcare activity delegated to them, with sufficient training, development, and support to the required standard.The adult social care provider is also responsible for ensuring and demonstrating the delegation arrangements are being provided safely and effectively and the care workers have appropriate supervision and support.We published national guidance and resources on the Skills for Care website in May 2023, setting out voluntary guiding principles for the safe, effective, and person-centred delegation of healthcare activities. We will also consider whether further support or regulation is needed.
What steps he plans to take to reduce the number of people waiting for an adult social care assessment.
We recognise there are challenges in adult social care, with some people waiting too long for a care assessment. There are long-term reforms needed in social care and we will work with the sector to build consensus for the reforms needed to create a sustainable care system. We are committed to building a National Care Service based on consistent national standards to support people in living independent and dignified lives.In the interim, Care Quality Commission (CQC) local authority assessments consider the performance of the delivery of Care Act duties, including the timeliness of assessing care needs. Local authorities are required to submit their waiting list size, median, and maximum waiting times as part of this process. If the CQC identifies that a local authority has failed or is failing its functions to an acceptable standard, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has powers to intervene. The CQC has published its first nine local authority ratings and reports.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the training provided to adult social care workers that undertake tasks delegated to them by NHS staff.
Employers in the health system are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver appropriate treatment to patients, which includes the provision of appropriate training for adult social care workers undertaking delegated healthcare activities. The regulated healthcare professional remains accountable for the appropriateness of the activity being delegated and is responsible for working with the adult social care employer to ensure staff are sufficiently trained and competent to carry out delegated healthcare activity.The Department published national, voluntary guiding principles to support effective, safe, and person-centred delegated healthcare in May 2023. We work with Skills for Care, NHS England, and stakeholders to promote and embed the guiding principles and supporting resources, to ensure care providers and their staff receive the right training and support to carry out delegated healthcare activities.