Every parliamentary written question tabled by Edward Morello this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,021–1,040 of 1,693 · this parliament
What plans his Department has to improve access to paediatric eye care services in West Dorset constituency.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services in their areas to meet patient needs.
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the availability of NHS-funded optometry services in West Dorset constituency.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services in their areas to meet patient needs.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for NHS eye examinations.
Free National Health Service sight tests are widely available across the country, from any optical practice with a contract to provide NHS sight testing services. We are not aware of patients facing undue delays in accessing these services.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase the use of new technology in the delivery of optometry services.
Integrated care boards commission services in the National Health Service from high street optical practices, which are private businesses. Contractors will be expected to demonstrate they have the necessary equipment to be able to provide any contracted eye care services.In delivering sight testing services, an ophthalmic practitioner is required to undertake any clinically necessary tests to determine if a patient has any signs of injury, disease or abnormality and to refer for any necessary further investigations. We do not stipulate the equipment or technology that should be used to make that determination.As part of the 10-Year Health Plan’s shift from analogue to digital, we are reviewing how the NHS should focus its resources to ensure it maximises the impact of data and technology. This includes how we can make life easier and more productive for those who work in the NHS, and how we can use data more effectively to plan, manage and deliver services.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of including dentists on the Shortage Occupation List for immigration purposes.
The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including reforms to work visas, further details of which will be set out in due course.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of travel distances on access to eye care services for residents in West Dorset constituency.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services in their areas to meet patient needs.
What steps her Department is taking to streamline visa processes for overseas-qualified dentists seeking to work in the UK.
The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including reforms to work visas, further details of which will be set out in due course.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a national strategy for hospice care.
The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and palliative care and end of life care services, including hospices, will have a big role to play in that shift.As part of the work to develop a 10-Year Health Plan, we have been carefully considering policies, including those that impact people with palliative care and end of life care needs, with input from the public, patients, health staff, and stakeholders. It is too early to say exactly what the 10-Year Health Plan will look like, but we expect palliative care and end of life care to benefit from the plan’s three big shifts.In February, I met key palliative care and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, in a roundtable format with a focus on long-term sector sustainability within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of funding levels for hospices on the availability of hospice services in rural areas.
We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. The funding will help hospices to provide the best end of life care to patients and their families in a supportive and dignified physical environment. Funding will help support hospices and deliver much needed improvements, including refurbishments, overhauling IT systems, and improving facilities for patients and visitors.In February, I met with key palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, in a roundtable format, with a focus on long-term sector sustainability within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan.We recognise that there are geographical inequalities in access to palliative and end of life care and hospice services, especially for those living in rural or socio-economically deprived areas. We are looking at how best to reduce these. It is our intention to work with sector stakeholders to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need, in the right place, at the right time, at the end of life.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. To support ICBs in this duty NHS England has published statutory guidance, which outlines areas for consideration when commissioning, which makes reference to improving equity of access and reducing inequalities in outcomes and experiences. This includes the completion of an Equalities and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment and action plan.
What interim support his Department is providing to Integrated Care Boards in West Dorset with dentist shortages.
We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions.Integrated care boards have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. As of 10 April 2025, in England, there are 53 dentists in post with a further 44 dentists who have been recruited but are yet to start in post under this scheme. Another 256 posts are currently advertised.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS, a central part of which will be our workforce. We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a mixed public-private sector ownership model for water service provision in the South West.
The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system and is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. It is considering a wide range of areas, including different water company ownership models, as set out in the Commission’s Call for Evidence. The Commission is expected to publish its recommendations later in the summer.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure sustainable funding for hospices.
We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. The funding will help hospices to provide the best end of life care to patients and their families in a supportive and dignified physical environment. Funding will help support hospices and deliver much needed improvements, including refurbishments, overhauling IT systems, and improving facilities for patients and visitors.In February, I met with key palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, in a roundtable format, with a focus on long-term sector sustainability within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan.We recognise that there are geographical inequalities in access to palliative and end of life care and hospice services, especially for those living in rural or socio-economically deprived areas. We are looking at how best to reduce these. It is our intention to work with sector stakeholders to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need, in the right place, at the right time, at the end of life.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. To support ICBs in this duty NHS England has published statutory guidance, which outlines areas for consideration when commissioning, which makes reference to improving equity of access and reducing inequalities in outcomes and experiences. This includes the completion of an Equalities and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment and action plan.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his strategy to improve the supply of sheep vaccines will be aligned with broader (a) animal health, (b) animal welfare and (c) land use policy objectives.
Defra is aware of the concerns regarding the availability and continuity of supply of vaccines for sheep and other animal species. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, an agency of Defra, has held several meetings convening stakeholders from across government, the pharmaceutical industry and wider animal health sector to discuss the barriers and potential solutions to improving vaccine availability and innovation. These discussions highlighted the complex multifactorial nature of the problem and the need to champion a collaborative, cross-sector approach moving forwards. The intention is to publish a statement of intent outlining a strategic framework for such an approach in the near future.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of retroactively awarding the Humanitarian Medal to qualifying people who served before 19 June 2023.
The Humanitarian Medal was introduced in July 2023 to recognise those in public service and members of organisations that contribute on behalf of HM Government, which respond in support of human welfare during or in the aftermath of a crisis.The Medal is not retrospective, and only incidents that occur from July 2023 are eligible as this is the date that His Majesty signed the Royal Warrant and the medal came into being under the previous government. However, operations which were live at that time but which commenced before the introduction of the Humanitarian Medal, may be eligible for the Humanitarian Medal with the clasp for that operation.There are no plans to review the criteria to allow for retrospection.
Whether his Department plans to support hospices to (a) recruit and (b) retain skilled staff in West Dorset constituency.
Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing National Health Services. As independent organisations, charitable hospices are responsible for their own recruitment and employment terms. They are free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment, including the pay scales. It is for them to determine what is affordable within the financial model they operate.A central part of our forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and those who support our workforce, including how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients, including those with palliative care and end of life care needs, across our communities.This summer, we will also publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. We will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it, including for those with palliative care and end of life care needs.
Whether his Department plans to review the eligibility criteria for the Humanitarian Medal to include service rendered before 19 June 2023.
The Humanitarian Medal was introduced in July 2023 to recognise those in public service and members of organisations that contribute on behalf of HM Government, which respond in support of human welfare during or in the aftermath of a crisis.The Medal is not retrospective, and only incidents that occur from July 2023 are eligible as this is the date that His Majesty signed the Royal Warrant and the medal came into being under the previous government. However, operations which were live at that time but which commenced before the introduction of the Humanitarian Medal, may be eligible for the Humanitarian Medal with the clasp for that operation.There are no plans to review the criteria to allow for retrospection.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s five-year strategy to improve the (a) availability and (b) continuity of supply of sheep vaccines.
Defra is aware of the concerns regarding the availability and continuity of supply of vaccines for sheep and other animal species. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, an agency of Defra, has held several meetings convening stakeholders from across government, the pharmaceutical industry and wider animal health sector to discuss the barriers and potential solutions to improving vaccine availability and innovation. These discussions highlighted the complex multifactorial nature of the problem and the need to champion a collaborative, cross-sector approach moving forwards. The intention is to publish a statement of intent outlining a strategic framework for such an approach in the near future.
What steps he is taking to protect consumers from increased energy costs if their electricity meters are not replaced by the 30 June 2025 deadline.
Ofgem has announced its intention to introduce RTS specific licence conditions for suppliers to protect consumers from the risk of heating and hot water supply disruption and higher bills. Ofgem has recently consulted on this and will publish a response in the coming weeks. These new protections are in addition to current conditions put on suppliers to ensure that a suitable alternative metering system is installed in RTS premises and that consumers’ services are not disrupted.
What steps he is taking to improve the capacity of local NHS services to provide safe home births in the context of the closure of Yeovil Hospital’s maternity unit.
The Government is aware of the temporary changes to services at Yeovil District Hospital that have been made in response to a number of factors, including a recent Care Quality Commission inspection and not being able to currently meet the staffing levels required to provide safe services for babies and families.The temporary closure is for an initial period of six months. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks. All births and expectant mothers are also being offered pain relief and safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, and Bath.Choice is a core part of maternity care. We are working with NHS England to improve personalised care, and the quality of information mothers receive about their choices, so they feel empowered throughout their pregnancy journey into motherhood.
What steps his Department is taking to support households that may not have their electricity meters replaced before the 30 June 2025 deadline through no fault of their own.
The Government has made clear to industry that suppliers must fulfil their obligations to customers and drive up the rate of Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter replacements. As part of the RTS Taskforce we are doing all that we can to protect consumers from any negative impacts, and make sure that the carefully managed phase out process of RTS from 30 June is as smooth as possible for consumers.