Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gregory Stafford this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 133 · Department of Health and Social Care
What steps his Department is taking to support Integrated Care Boards to increase the availability of Fracture Liaison Services.
Fracture Liaison Services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local need.Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.
What assessment his Department has made of the trends in the levels of ambulance callouts to the same patient more than once in a 24 hour period.
No assessment has been made. The assessment and management of frequent callers is made at a local level by the relevant ambulance trust.
What recent steps his Department has taken to improve ambulance response times in (a) Surrey and (b) Hampshire.
The Government recognises that ambulance response times, including in Surrey and Hampshire, are not meeting the high standards patients should expect.We are determined to turn things around, and our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26, backed by almost £450 million of capital investment, commits to reducing ambulance response times for Category 2 incidents to 30 minutes on average this year.Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will reform the National Health Service, including urgent and emergency care services, with a key focus on shifting urgent care into the community through new Neighbourhood Health Services.
What recent discussions he has had with Public Health England and the UK Health Security Agency on the use of mercury in dental amalgam fillings.
In England, we will continue to review the use of mercury in dental amalgam fillings and restrict and phase down their use. Administrations across the United Kingdom routinely work together to share best practice and to deliver on our common goals for improving patients’ experiences of healthcare services, including access to dentistry.Following the abolition of Public Health England and the establishment of the UK Health Security Agency, ministers regularly meet with key stakeholders to discuss a range of issues, including but not limited to dentistry.
Whether his Department plans to take steps to improve access to minimally-processed foods for (a) all consumers and (b) children and young people.
The Government’s Eatwell Guide already advises that people should eat more fruit and vegetables, and wholegrain or higher-fibre foods, as well as less processed meat, and food and drink that is high in sugar, calories, saturated fat, and salt.The Eatwell Guide principles are communicated through a variety of channels, including the NHS.UK website and Government social marketing campaigns. For example, the Better Health Healthier Families website and the Healthy Steps email programme, which aims to help families with primary aged children in England to eat well and move more.A range of actions that have already been taken to create a healthier environment to help children reduce their consumption of processed foods that are high in energy, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars, and to improve access to affordable minimally processed foods, include:- the Healthy Start scheme, which supported over 361,000 people in April 2025;- the Nursery Milk Scheme, which provides a reimbursement to childcare providers in England and Wales for a daily 1/3 pint portion of milk to children and babies; and- the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, which provides approximately 2.2 million children in Key Stage 1 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables per day at school.In relation to foods and drinks high in calories, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars, work on our commitments is progressing through:- implementing the television and online advertising restrictions for less healthy food and drink;- consulting on plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 years old; and- giving local authorities stronger, clearer powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools and where young people congregate.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of capping the cost of care homes.
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market and to commission a range of high-quality, sustainable care support services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes encouraging a wide range of service provision to ensure that people have a choice of appropriate services.Fee rates are set by providers of adult social care, the majority of which are in the independent sector. The Department does not have powers to set or recommend the level of fees that private care homes can charge. However, all businesses are required to comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ensuring that they use fair and clear terms in their standard agreements with customers.The Government is supporting local authorities by making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26. This includes over £1 billion for the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund (MSIF), with one of the three target areas local authorities can spend their allocations on being to improve fee rates to providers.In a letter I sent out to Council Leaders in January 2025, I set out the expectation that in 2025/26, when commissioning services, local authorities should ensure fee levels for care and support services take account of the actual costs of care in their area, including inflationary and all other pressures, such as the rise in National Living Wage and the changes to employers National Insurance Contributions.As part of our monitoring of the MSIF grant conditions and to understand fee rates more generally, local authorities are required to provide an annual return to the Department including data on the fee rates they pay care providers. The Government publishes this data annually, with the latest being available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/market-sustainability-and-improvement-fund-2024-to-2025-care-provider-fees/market-sustainability-and-improvement-fund-msif-provider-fee-reporting-2024-to-2025
What steps his Department is taking to increase the provision of dentistry services in Farnham and Bordon constituency.
The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. 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.The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Farnham and Bordon constituency, this is the NHS Frimley ICB. ICBs have been asked to start making extra urgent dental appointments available from April 2025. The NHS Frimley ICB is expected to deliver 6,626 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.ICBs 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.
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to Food Standards Agency inspection charges on the financial viability of (a) small abattoirs and (b) private kill services.
Information on the 2025/26 charge rates for official controls (inspections) conducted in meat premises is available on the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) website.https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/charges-for-controls-in-meat-premisesAs in previous years, the impact of charges will be offset by a taxpayer-funded discount which provides the greatest proportional support to smaller businesses. The impact of the discount on different sized food businesses in England and Wales for 2025/26 is set out in the Cost Data Slides the FSA has published.The FSA is currently conducting an evaluation of the discount and will assess the impact of any changes it might propose in the light of this evaluation. No decisions have yet been taken.
What steps he is taking to raise awareness of restless leg syndrome with (a) GPs and (b) neurologists.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence publishes clinical knowledge summaries (CKS) as a source of information mainly for National Health Service staff working in primary care. The CKS on the diagnosis and clinical management of restless leg syndrome (RLS) was updated in February 2025, and is available at the following link:https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/General practitioners (GPs) have a generalist’s knowledge of RLS. GPs utilise the RLS Rating Scale to understand the impact on the patient and then to trial treatments. GPs are supported by neurology referral or specialist Advice and Guidance. This includes 27 specialised neurological treatment centres across the NHS in England, which provide access to neurological multidisciplinary teams to ensure that patients with RLS can receive specialised treatment and support, according to their needs.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) Lecanemab and (b) other new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are made accessible to eligible patients through the NHS.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service in England on whether new medicines should be routinely funded based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NICE evaluates all new medicines, including medicines for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and aims to publish guidance for the NHS as close as possible to licensing. The NHS in England is legally required to fund recommended treatments, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.The NICE concluded that the evidence presented so far shows that neither donanemab nor lecanemab provide enough benefit to justify the substantial resources the NHS would need to commit to implement access to them. The NICE has not yet published final guidance on either medicine, and its independent Appraisal Committee will meet on 14 May to consider the responses to its recent consultation.To prepare for the new generation of dementia treatments in development, NHS England is working to ensure the diagnostic and treatment capacity, clinical pathway redesign, and investments are in place to support the adoption of any new licensed and NICE-recommended treatments as soon as possible.
Whether the upcoming 10-Year Plan for the NHS will include specific commitments to improve (a) diagnosis, (b) access to treatment and (c) support for research outcomes for people living with dementia.
The Government wants a society where every person with dementia receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life. The 10-Year Health Plan will address the challenges diagnosed by Lord Darzi and will set the vision for what good joined-up care looks like for people with a combination of complex health and care needs, including people living with dementia. We are carefully considering policies, including those that impact people with dementia, with input from the public, patients, health staff, and our partners, as we develop the plan. In February, I hosted a roundtable discussion where partners shared how dementia, ageing well, and digital inclusion could be reflected in the 10-Year Health Plan.
Whether his Department plans to reinstate a national target for local health systems to improve dementia diagnosis rates in future iterations of the NHS Operational Planning Guidance.
The Government and NHS England remain committed to recovering the dementia diagnosis rate to the national ambition of 66.7%.The NHS Operational Planning Guidance is not an exhaustive list of everything the National Health Service does, and the absence of a target does not mean it is not an area of focus. We have yet to take decisions on future iterations of the guidance.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed abolition of NHS England on healthcare suppliers; and whether he plans to publish guidance on changes to (a) procurement systems, (b) leadership structures and (c) the NHS supply chain to support business (i) planning and (ii) continuity.
Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead the formation of a new joint centre. As we work to bring the two organisations together, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds, which includes working with healthcare suppliers and the future organisation and leadership of procurement systems and National Health Service supply chains.The abolition of NHS England will strip out the unnecessary bureaucracy and cut the duplication that comes from having two organisations doing the same job, and we will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, driving productivity up, and getting waiting times down.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for mental health treatment; and when he plans to set out further measures to reduce delays for patients in need of support.
Too many people with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they need, which is why we are committed to ensuring we give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health so that people can be confident of accessing high quality mental health support when they need it.As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government will recruit 8,500 mental health workers to help ease pressure on busy mental health services.Despite the challenging fiscal environment, the Government has chosen to prioritise the funding to deliver expansions of NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement & Support schemes, demonstrating our commitment to addressing the root cause of mental health issues and providing support for people with severe mental illness to contribute to the economy by remaining in or returning to work.We have also committed £26 million in capital investment to open new mental health crisis centres, reducing pressure on busy emergency mental health and accident and emergency services and ensuring people have the support they need when they need it.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of Estradot hormone replacement therapy patches; and what steps he is taking to ensure consistent supply for patients.
There are over 70 hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products, and the vast majority are in good supply. Previously there has been issues with the supply of a limited number of these products, primarily driven by very sharp increases in demand. Following the Department’s intensive engagement with industry, the supply position has improved considerably. As part of this we have previously met with suppliers on a very regular basis and have held nine HRT supply roundtables since April 2022, with the most recent in September 2024, with suppliers, wholesalers, and community pharmacists, to provide updates on the supply position and the actions being taken to address them, to share data, and to discuss relevant policy developments and potential impacts.Currently, there are limited supplies of Estradot (estradiol) 37.5, 50, 75, and 100 microgram/24 hour patches, which may be available to local pharmacies to order. We are working with the sole supplier of Estradot to expedite further resupplies where possible. Further deliveries of all patches are expected in late April 2025, except for the 37.5 microgram/24 hour patches, which will be resupplied in July 2025.We have issued comprehensive management guidance to the National Health Service, including Serious Shortage Protocols for some, allowing community pharmacists to supply the equivalent strength patch of an alternative brand without the need for a new prescription.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the consultation process undertaken by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board in advance of its decision to cancel primary eyecare contracts from April 2025.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning both primary and secondary eye care services in their areas to meet local needs.
Whether his Department has issued guidance to Integrated Care Boards on the (a) retention of and (b) commissioning of new (i) community urgent eyecare services, (ii) glaucoma monitoring and (iii) other community-based eyecare services.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning both primary and secondary eye care services in their areas to meet local needs.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential cost-effectiveness of NHS insourcing as a means to reduce elective waiting lists.
The Government supports efforts to utilise National Health Service capacity out of hours and over weekends, where it is a cost-effective and sustainable means of delivering additional activity. The most cost-effective route to do this is best determined at a local level, where integrated care boards and trusts can evaluate the options available to them.We recognise insourcing as an opportunity to maximise productivity and efficiency and published guidance in 2024 to promote the effective utilisation of their services, available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-for-trusts-on-the-use-of-insourcing/The guidance is clear that, to promote value for money being achieved, arrangements should be at or below the unit prices set out in the NHS payment scheme. The guidance also asks all trusts to ensure that appropriate due diligence is undertaken before utilising insourcing solutions, including ensuring pay rates are at or below NHS England’s agency price caps.This guidance sits alongside the Insourcing of Clinical Services Framework Agreement, published by NHS Shared Business Services, which supports local NHS organisations with the timely procurement of services, and which is available at the following link:https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements/insourcing-of-clinical-services/We have set clear elective priorities for the system in the Elective Reform Plan and 2025/26 Planning Guidance, including that every trust will need to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026. We expect trusts to be using all levers to deliver this.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of commissioned primary eyecare services from April 2025 by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board on NHS hospital eye services.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning both primary and secondary eye care services in their areas to meet local needs.
What steps his Department is taking to support NHS Trusts to use existing estate and equipment for insourced clinical activity during off-peak hours.
The Government supports efforts to utilise National Health Service capacity out of hours and over weekends, where it is a cost-effective and sustainable means of delivering additional activity. The most cost-effective route to do this is best determined at a local level, where integrated care boards and trusts can evaluate the options available to them.We recognise insourcing as an opportunity to maximise productivity and efficiency and published guidance in 2024 to promote the effective utilisation of their services, available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-for-trusts-on-the-use-of-insourcing/The guidance is clear that, to promote value for money being achieved, arrangements should be at or below the unit prices set out in the NHS payment scheme. The guidance also asks all trusts to ensure that appropriate due diligence is undertaken before utilising insourcing solutions, including ensuring pay rates are at or below NHS England’s agency price caps.This guidance sits alongside the Insourcing of Clinical Services Framework Agreement, published by NHS Shared Business Services, which supports local NHS organisations with the timely procurement of services, and which is available at the following link:https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements/insourcing-of-clinical-services/We have set clear elective priorities for the system in the Elective Reform Plan and 2025/26 Planning Guidance, including that every trust will need to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026. We expect trusts to be using all levers to deliver this.