Written questions by Byrne.

What steps he is taking to help GPs meet the needs of patients.

The Government is providing £82 million to fund the recruitment of more than 1,000 newly qualified general practitioners, via the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS), so patients can get the care they need.The ARRS provides funding for several additional roles to help create bespoke, multi-disciplinary teams. All these roles are in place to assist general practice doctors in reducing their workload and assisting patients directly with their needs, allowing doctors to focus on more complex patients and other priorities, including continuity of care.This government will bring back the family doctor for those who would benefit from seeing the same clinician regularly, for example, those living with chronic illness. This will improve continuity of care, which is associated with better health outcomes and fewer accident and emergency attendances.

How many training places there were for ophthalmology in the NHS in each of the last five years.

The following table shows the number of doctors in training in the ophthalmology specialty in England, in each of the last five years:YearNumbers of doctors in training in the ophthalmology specialty group201955820205632021563202258320235922024610Source: General Medical Council, National Training Survey, via Data Explorer, available at the following link: https://gde.gmc-uk.org/postgraduate-training/postgraduate-trainees/postgraduate-trainees-summary-data

What progress NHS England has made on developing a mechanism to track, monitor and evaluate independent sector’s impact on the long-term NHS capacity landscape in accordance with the Elective Recovery Taskforce implementation plan.

NHS England is working closely with the Independent Healthcare Providers Network and the wider sector to ensure we have appropriate mechanisms to track and monitor the independent sector’s impact on the long-term National Health Service capacity landscape. From October 2024, NHS England will be reporting independent sector activity data based on the Secondary Uses Service data submissions, to which a large number of independent sector provider sites currently report. This will therefore enable us to more fully capture the sector’s activity.NHS England continues to explore opportunities for the independent sector to support the NHS in the areas of greatest need, including in diagnostics and the most challenged specialties, while ensuring that NHS care remains free at the point of use. NHS England meets regularly with all independent sector providers to encourage this collaborative working.

What estimate he has made of the number of patients waiting longer than 18 weeks for treatment for (a) wet macular degeneration and (b) glaucoma in (i) England, (ii) Merseyside and (iii) Liverpool.

The classification codes required to identify pathways where patients may have glaucoma or macular degeneration do not allow for distinction between the two conditions.The following table provides an estimate of the number of patients who have been waiting longer than 18 weeks for treatment specifically for wet macular degeneration and glaucoma in England, Merseyside, and Liverpool, via the latter’s integrated care boards (ICBs), as a snapshot for the week ending 10 November 2024, extracted on 15 November 2024: Number of pathways greater than 18 weeksEnglandCheshire and Merseyside ICBNHS Liverpool Sub ICBGlaucoma or macular degeneration765617Source: Waiting List Minimum Data Set (WLMDS), NHS England.However, these figures may include patients that also have other conditions, as full coding for glaucoma and macular degeneration procedures requires diagnostic codes that are not available in the WLMDS.The WLMDS is weekly management information that is subject to less validation than the monthly official statistics. There may be issues regarding the quality and completeness of the recorded data, which is not routinely reviewed centrally.

What estimate he has made of the number of new born babies losing their sight in one eye as a result of insufficient staffing levels at the hospital where they were born in each of the last five years.

There has been no specific estimate made regarding the number of newborn babies losing their sight in one eye due to insufficient staffing levels. As per the National Health Service newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) screening programme, the vision of newborn babies must be assessed within 72 hours of birth, and at the six-to-eight-week checkup. Further information on the NIPE is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nhs-newborn-and-infant-physical-examination-nipe-screening-programmeWe recognise the concerns around workforce shortages. Whilst change will not happen overnight, we are committed to training thousands more midwives to better support women and babies throughout pregnancy and beyond.The responsibility for staffing levels should remain with clinical and other leaders at a local level, responding to local needs, supported by national and professional bodies’ guidelines, and regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of the independent sector to deliver cataract surgery on waiting times for (a) cataract patients and (b) patients waiting for other ophthalmology services.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission and a top priority for the Government, as we get the National Health Service back on its feet. This includes ensuring that patients waiting for cataract and ophthalmology services are seen on time. The ophthalmology waiting list stood at approximately 640,00 in September 2023.Whilst a formal assessment of the potential impact of the use of the independent sector for cataract and ophthalmology services has not been undertaken, independent sector providers have a role to play in supporting the NHS to recover elective services, including in ophthalmology, to ensure that patients can choose the service best for them, are seen on time, and have the best possible experience during their care. We will continue to work with the independent sector to support our commitment of getting waiting lists down, whilst ensuring this provides value for money, and that NHS care is always free at the point of use.

What research other than by his Department has been carried out on the potential impact of the use of the independent sector to deliver cataract surgery on waiting times for (a) cataract patients and (b) patients waiting for ophthalmology services.

Getting waiting lists down is a key priority for the Government. Independent sector providers have a role to play in supporting the National Health Service to do this by using additional capacity to tackle the backlog, whilst still delivering value for money and care that is free at the point of use. Throughout its history, the NHS has worked with non-NHS healthcare providers to deliver essential services to patients, especially at times of operational pressures.The Department considers a wide range of sources when developing policy. This includes research by think tanks, academics, patient groups, and other relevant bodies.

What estimate he has made of the number of people who have lost their sight due to insufficient staffing levels after presenting at an Accident and Emergency department in each of the last five years.

This information is not held centrally. We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. A central and core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce, and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care of patients when and where they need it.Action is also being taken to improve the referral, triage, and management of patients between primary and secondary eye care services. This includes looking at how we can deliver more care in the community. These measures aim to free up hospital eye service capacity for those that need specialist input.Providers regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are required to ensure that there are enough suitably qualified, competent, skilled, and experienced people to provide safe care and treatment to patients. Where incorrect staffing levels or mix of staff are having an impact on patient outcomes, the CQC can take enforcement action.

Whether he plans to review the prescription charge exemption list.

There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with the greatest need may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension. People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of private companies that manage NHS car parks.

No assessments have been made of the potential merits of eliminating car-parking charges for National Health Service patients and staff, the adequacy of Blue Badge parking spaces, or the effectiveness of the private companies that manage NHS car parks.All NHS trusts that charge for hospital car parking provide free parking for those in the greatest need, which includes NHS staff working overnight, frequent outpatient attenders, disabled people, and parents of children staying overnight in hospital.All NHS trusts are expected to follow the Department’s published NHS Car Parking guidance. This sets out that where car parking charges exist, they should be reasonable for the area. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principlesNHS organisations decide locally on the provision, management, and charging for their car parking, within the policy set out by the Department, and including the provision of Blue Badge parking spaces.

If he will eliminate parking fees at NHS hospitals for NHS staff and patients.

No assessments have been made of the potential merits of eliminating car-parking charges for National Health Service patients and staff, the adequacy of Blue Badge parking spaces, or the effectiveness of the private companies that manage NHS car parks.All NHS trusts that charge for hospital car parking provide free parking for those in the greatest need, which includes NHS staff working overnight, frequent outpatient attenders, disabled people, and parents of children staying overnight in hospital.All NHS trusts are expected to follow the Department’s published NHS Car Parking guidance. This sets out that where car parking charges exist, they should be reasonable for the area. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principlesNHS organisations decide locally on the provision, management, and charging for their car parking, within the policy set out by the Department, and including the provision of Blue Badge parking spaces.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of Blue Badge parking spaces at NHS facilities.

No assessments have been made of the potential merits of eliminating car-parking charges for National Health Service patients and staff, the adequacy of Blue Badge parking spaces, or the effectiveness of the private companies that manage NHS car parks.All NHS trusts that charge for hospital car parking provide free parking for those in the greatest need, which includes NHS staff working overnight, frequent outpatient attenders, disabled people, and parents of children staying overnight in hospital.All NHS trusts are expected to follow the Department’s published NHS Car Parking guidance. This sets out that where car parking charges exist, they should be reasonable for the area. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principlesNHS organisations decide locally on the provision, management, and charging for their car parking, within the policy set out by the Department, and including the provision of Blue Badge parking spaces.