Written questions by Morello.

What steps his Department is taking to provide health services for disabled people in isolated areas.

Under the NHS Act 2006, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care must promote a comprehensive health service in England.Integrated care systems (ICSs) are responsible for the planning and delivery of health and care services in their local area, including meeting the needs of disabled people in rural communities. Local priorities are set out in the integrated care strategy, which must be informed by local assessments of need. The Department published updated statutory guidance on integrated care strategies in February 2024.The importance of supporting rural communities has been recognised by the Chief Medical Officer in his reports, which also recognised the role played by ICSs in understanding local needs and arranging services to meet these needs.

What steps his Department is taking to support veterans’ mental health in rural constituencies.

NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, the integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Veterans can self-refer to Op COURAGE. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, including rural areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres. Elements of the service may also be provided online if this is clinically appropriate.Integrated care boards are responsible for providing health and care services to meet the needs of their local populations, taking into account local considerations such as access to services in rural areas. The Government recognises that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and that waits for mental health services are too long. The Government is determined to change that and ensure mental health has the same focus as physical health, to help people in rural areas to access high quality mental health support when they need it.

What plans he has to improve access to health services for veterans living in rural areas.

NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, the integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Veterans can self-refer to Op COURAGE. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, including rural areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres. Elements of the service may also be provided online if this is clinically appropriate.Integrated care boards are responsible for providing health and care services to meet the needs of their local populations, taking into account local considerations such as access to services in rural areas. The Government recognises that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and that waits for mental health services are too long. The Government is determined to change that and ensure mental health has the same focus as physical health, to help people in rural areas to access high quality mental health support when they need it.

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for people living with secondary breast cancer in rural areas.

Reducing unwarranted variation in cancer treatment is a strategic priority for NHS England’s Cancer Programme. The programme was commissioned by the Royal College of Surgeons and aims to deliver 10 cancer clinical audits, including two audits on primary and metastatic breast cancer.To help improve outcomes and treatments for patients in all areas, NHS England funded an audit into primary and metastatic breast cancer. Using routine data collected on patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in a National Health Service setting as part of their care and treatment, the audit brings together information to look at what is being done well, where it’s being done well, and what needs to be done better. On 12 September 2024 the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre published their State of the Nation Report on primary and metastatic breast cancer.The Department supports statutory integrated care systems (ICSs) in delivering NHS services across England. ICSs are partnerships of organisations which come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services, to improve the lives of the people who live and work in their area. This includes considering adequate healthcare provision for populations in towns and rural areas, and working collaboratively to plan for population change.The organisations within an ICS include the NHS, local government, social care providers, charities, and other organisations working together to provide more joined up care for people, and to improve the outcomes for their populations.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of primary care facilities for the diagnosis of stages of breast cancer.

The two most common routes through which breast cancer is diagnosed is following an urgent referral from a general practitioner, on the basis of signs and symptoms, or via breast screening, which happens in fixed or mobile breast screening units.In March 2024, NHS England published guidance for local systems on implementing a timed breast cancer diagnostic pathway, setting out how diagnosis within 28-days can be achieved for the suspected breast cancer pathway.Urgent referral pathways for people with breast symptoms who cannot be managed in primary care are also in place across England. While not on a suspected cancer pathway, these referrals should still be able to expect an outcome within 28 days of initial referral.Since March 2024, NHS England has also been implementing breast pain pathways across England, with more than 60% of secondary care providers having established a live service. Breast pain on its own is not a sign of breast cancer. Introducing the breast pain pathways helps to ensure that patients who are at low risk of cancer receive rapid reassurance, and also helps to ensure that the urgent pathways are available for those who need them. Breast pain pathways are mainly managed within primary care or community diagnostic centres.

How many dental practices are offering NHS services in West Dorset constituency.

As of August 2024, the most recent data available, there are 14 dental practices offering National Health Service dentistry services in the West Dorset constituency. This information, from NHS Digital, is available at the following link:https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/dentists-dental-practices/

What steps his Department is taking to improve the availability of dental practices offering NHS services in West Dorset constituency.

The Government’s ambition is to make sure that everyone who needs dental treatment can access a dentist. We will tackle the immediate dentistry crisis with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and to recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of National Health Service dentists.On 1 April 2023 responsibility for commissioning NHS dentistry was delegated to the integrated care boards across England. NHS Dorset is responsible for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local populations, and for determining the priorities for investment in their area. Patients unable to access an urgent dental appointment directly through an NHS dental practice are advised to contact NHS 111 for assistance.

How many full-time equivalent GPs were working in West Dorset constituency as of 31 August 2024.

There were 58 full-time equivalent general practitioners working in the West Dorset constituency as of 31 July 2024, the most recent date for which data is available.

How many and what proportion of GP surgeries are rated as good by the Care Quality Commission in West Dorset constituency.

As of 16 September 2024, there are 12 general practices (GPs) in the West Dorset constituency rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which is 92% as a proportion of all GPs in the constituency. There are currently 13 GPs overall registered with CQC in the West Dorset constituency.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of GP appointments in West Dorset constituency.

We know that patients are finding it harder than ever to see a general practitioner (GP) and we are committed to fixing the crisis in GPs. West Dorset sits within the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board, where the percentage of appointments delivered within two weeks of booking is 7.9% lower than the national average.Our plan will require both investment and reform. Firstly, we will increase the proportion of funding for GPs, starting with a commitment to recruit over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. This will increase the number of GP appointments delivered, secure the future pipeline of GPs, as well as take pressure off those currently working in the system. Additionally, we will deliver a modern booking system to end the 8:00am scramble for GP appointments and bring back the family doctor by incentivising GPs to see the same patient.