Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 421–440 of 471 · Department of Health and Social Care
How many hospitals in England are operating above 90% bed occupancy levels.
Bed occupancy data is published by NHS England and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/critical-care-and-general-acute-beds-urgent-and-emergency-care-daily-situation-reports-2024-25/The data shows 113 National Health Service trusts in England with general and acute bed occupancy above 90%.
What steps he is taking to reduce pressure on Accident and Emergency departments during peak demand periods.
The Government recognises the pressures on the National Health Service during peak demand periods, including winter, and the impact this is having on accident and emergency waiting times.We are committed to supporting the NHS to improve accident and emergency performance and achieve the standards set out in the NHS Constitution. The NHS 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance sets national priorities, which include improving accident and emergency care so that a minimum of 78% of patients are seen within four hours as of March 2026, and a higher proportion of patients are admitted, discharged, and transferred from an emergency department within 12 hours across 2025/26 compared to 2024/25.
What steps he is taking to ensure that the entitlements to healthcare services for different categories of migrants are clearly communicated to both (a) healthcare providers and (b) the different categories of migrants.
The Department sets the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 and publishes guidance on National Health Service charging for NHS trusts.The Department regularly publishes advice and guidance on the health needs and entitlements of migrants for healthcare providers and patients via the Migrant Health Guide.
What comparative assessment he has made of the GP-to-patient ratio in (a) Thurrock and (b) nationally.
As of December 2024, the number of full time equivalent (FTE) doctors in general practice (GP) per 10,000 registered patients in Thurrock was 3.5. This is lower than the national median of 5.6.Each GP is required to provide services to meet the reasonable needs of their patients. There is no NHS England recommendation for how many patients a GP should have assigned, or the ratio of GPs or other practice staff to patients.The demands that each patient places on their GP are different and can be affected by many different factors, including rurality and patient demographics. It is necessary to consider the workforce for each practice as a whole, not only the GPs but also the range of health professionals available who are able to respond to the needs of their patients.Through the Red Tape Challenge, we are determined to bulldoze bureaucracy and cut red tape, ensuring that GPs spend less time filling in forms and more time caring for patients. We recognise that it is vital for roles to be satisfying, rewarding, and sustainable so that our experienced GPs continue to contribute throughout their career. The South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency sits within the NHS Mid and South Essex ICB. In December 2024, 529,000 appointments were delivered. 43.9% were delivered on the same day that they were booked and 81.4% were delivered within two weeks of booking. This is slightly lower than the national average, where 46% of all appointments were delivered on the same day and 82.7% were delivered within two weeks. There are several factors which can influence the timing of appointments, and it is not possible to estimate the time between the patient’s first attempt to contact their surgery and an appointment.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the higher GP-to-patient ratio in South Basildon and East Thurrock on (a) patient outcomes, (b) appointment waiting times and (c) GP workload.
As of December 2024, the number of full time equivalent (FTE) doctors in general practice (GP) per 10,000 registered patients in Thurrock was 3.5. This is lower than the national median of 5.6.Each GP is required to provide services to meet the reasonable needs of their patients. There is no NHS England recommendation for how many patients a GP should have assigned, or the ratio of GPs or other practice staff to patients.The demands that each patient places on their GP are different and can be affected by many different factors, including rurality and patient demographics. It is necessary to consider the workforce for each practice as a whole, not only the GPs but also the range of health professionals available who are able to respond to the needs of their patients.Through the Red Tape Challenge, we are determined to bulldoze bureaucracy and cut red tape, ensuring that GPs spend less time filling in forms and more time caring for patients. We recognise that it is vital for roles to be satisfying, rewarding, and sustainable so that our experienced GPs continue to contribute throughout their career. The South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency sits within the NHS Mid and South Essex ICB. In December 2024, 529,000 appointments were delivered. 43.9% were delivered on the same day that they were booked and 81.4% were delivered within two weeks of booking. This is slightly lower than the national average, where 46% of all appointments were delivered on the same day and 82.7% were delivered within two weeks. There are several factors which can influence the timing of appointments, and it is not possible to estimate the time between the patient’s first attempt to contact their surgery and an appointment.
How many unauthorised (a) migrants, (b) refugees and (c) asylum seekers have accessed NHS care in the last 3 years.
The Department and the National Health Service do not collect patient information categorised by immigration status.
What assessment he has made of trends in the number of fully qualified GPs since 2016.
In December 2024, there were 1,123 fewer full time equivalent (FTE) fully qualified general practitioners (GPs) than in December 2016.We are starting to see consistent growth in the fully qualified GP workforce, with headcount numbers of fully qualified GPs increasing for the past 18 months and full time equivalent numbers increasing for 16 out of the past 18 months. As of December 2024, there were 1,982 more FTE doctors working at practice level compared to December 2023.We have committed to training more GPs across the country and to recruiting over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) over 2024/25. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that recently qualified GPs who are employed via the ARRS will continue to be supported through the scheme in 2025/26.In summer 2025, 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.Our commitment to growing the GP workforce includes addressing the reasons why doctors leave the profession and encouraging them to return to practice. We know that high workloads can be a key driver for GPs reducing their contracted hours or leaving the profession altogether. That is why we are tackling morale through drivers such as growing the workforce and reducing bureaucracy through our Red Tape Challenge to improve job satisfaction and reduce the risk of burnout.
What steps he is taking to (a) retain existing GPs and (b) recruit new GPs.
In December 2024, there were 1,123 fewer full time equivalent (FTE) fully qualified general practitioners (GPs) than in December 2016.We are starting to see consistent growth in the fully qualified GP workforce, with headcount numbers of fully qualified GPs increasing for the past 18 months and full time equivalent numbers increasing for 16 out of the past 18 months. As of December 2024, there were 1,982 more FTE doctors working at practice level compared to December 2023.We have committed to training more GPs across the country and to recruiting over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) over 2024/25. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that recently qualified GPs who are employed via the ARRS will continue to be supported through the scheme in 2025/26.In summer 2025, 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.Our commitment to growing the GP workforce includes addressing the reasons why doctors leave the profession and encouraging them to return to practice. We know that high workloads can be a key driver for GPs reducing their contracted hours or leaving the profession altogether. That is why we are tackling morale through drivers such as growing the workforce and reducing bureaucracy through our Red Tape Challenge to improve job satisfaction and reduce the risk of burnout.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of low NHS dental access in South Basildon and East Thurrock on levels of pressure on urgent care services.
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 and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.The most common reason children aged five to nine years old are admitted to hospital is for tooth decay. We will work with local authorities and the NHS to introduce supervised tooth brushing for children aged between three and five years old in the most deprived communities. These programmes are proven to reduce tooth decay and to boost good practices at home.
What estimate he has made of the number of patients seeking emergency dental care in A&E in the South East of England.
In 2023/24, there were 11,360 accident and emergency attendances of patients resident in South East England where there was a primary diagnosis related to dental issues. The data is from the Emergency Care Data Set, collected by NHS England.
What steps he is taking to reduce vacancies for NHS dental staff in the South East of England.
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 and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, 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 across England. For the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, this is the NHS Mid and South Essex.Integrated care boards have started to recruit 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.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Global Compact for Migration on (a) demands for NHS services and (b) the provision of healthcare for migrants.
The term 'migrants' encompasses a diverse group of individuals, including authorised and unauthorised migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, each with varying legal statuses that impact their entitlement to healthcare services in the United Kingdom. The Department has not made a formal assessment of the potential impact of the Global Compact for Migration on the provision of healthcare for migrants.The National Health Service in England is a residency-based system and free at the point of use for those ordinarily resident. Overseas visitors are required to pay for NHS services, where chargeable, unless otherwise exempt. Exemptions from NHS charges include refugees and asylum seekers. Some NHS services are free to all, including primary care, accident and emergency services, and the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
What steps his Department is taking to improve end-of-life care in the community.
The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and palliative and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift. We have committed to develop a 10-year plan, to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future and one of the three ‘shifts’ that the plan will deliver is the shift from hospital to community. We will be carefully considering policies, including those that impact people with palliative and end of life care needs, with input from the public, patients, health staff, and our stakeholders as we develop the plan. I met with key palliative and end of life care, including hospice, stakeholders on 3 February 2025 to discuss the long-term sustainability of palliative and end of life care, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan. We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care, with hospices able to use this capital funding to benefit community provision, and £26 million revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices.
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the patient detention provisions in the Mental Health Act 1983.
The Mental Health Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, will deliver the Government’s commitment to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983. It will give patients greater choice, autonomy, enhanced rights and support, and will ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect throughout treatment. It is important to get the balance right to ensure that people get the support and treatment they need, when necessary, for their own protection, or for that of others.The bill will make the Mental Health Act fit for the modern world, redressing the balance of power from the system to the patient, and ensuring that people with the most severe mental health conditions get better, more personalised, care.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of monitoring measures used to prevent people with (a) mental illness and (b) a history of violence and aggression from committing violent crimes.
In response to the Care Quality Commission’s review of the care and treatment provided to Valdo Calocane and of the services provided by the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England asked every provider of mental health services to review the care received by people with serious mental illness who require intensive community treatment and follow-up where engagement is a challenge. This highlighted areas of good practice and opportunities to strengthen services and integrated care boards have developed action plans to address any gaps in service provision. To ensure these action plans deliver lasting change they will be assured of progress in July 2025 and January 2026. NHS England also set out clear, evidence-based national guidance, so providers are clear on the standards of care expected for this patient group. Following the publication of the independent investigation into the care and treatment provided to Valdo Calocane on 5 February, the National Director for Mental Health has written to all mental health trusts in England to ask them to review the investigation’s findings and develop action plans, building on the work so far, to address the issues identified for patients who require intensive and assertive community treatment by 30 June 2025. NHS England and the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have accepted all of the recommendations in the reports and are responsible for taking forward those recommendations. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has asked NHS England to provide regular updates on its work in response to the recommendations.
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of care available for people with paranoid schizophrenia.
NHS England has made significant progress in expanding community-based services for people with severe mental illness, including paranoid schizophrenia.In the last 12 months more than 400,000 adults have received help through new models, which aim to give people with serious mental illness better care.NHS England is also piloting new models of care in the community for those with the most serious illnesses. New mental health centres open in six neighbourhood areas from this spring and will provide people and their families with 24/7 support if they are in crisis without needing to book an appointment, as well as providing housing or employment advice to support them to stay well.Furthermore, the Mental Health Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, will deliver the Government’s commitment to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983.Finally, in response to the Care Quality Commission’s review of the care and treatment provided to Valdo Calocane and of services provided by the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England set out clear, evidence-based national guidance, so providers are clear on the standards of care expected for patients who may be at risk of disengaging from services.
What steps he is taking to assist Basildon Hospital in improving their maternity services.
The Basildon Hospital entered the NHS England Maternity Safety Support Programme (MSSP) in October 2020 due to safety concerns identified in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which rated it ‘Inadequate’. Its latest CQC report in March 2024 rated the maternity services as ‘Requiring Improvement’ for safety, effectiveness, and leadership, and responsiveness was rated as ‘Good’.To assist Basildon Hospital to improve their maternity services, the MSSP has increased support by adding a second Maternity Improvement Advisor to oversee all three maternity sites at the trust. Key improvements include midwifery vacancies being at their lowest in three years at less than 1%, ensuring staff complete training and regular audits being conducted to monitor service quality. The latest CQC report also acknowledged progress, particularly in patient involvement and efforts to reduce care disparities. The integrated care board will continue to support the trust to enhance safety, care quality, and patient experience. The Regional Maternity Team and Local Maternity and Neonatal System continue to work closely with Basildon Maternity Unit on its journey of improvement.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of NHS England's report entitled Independent mental health homicide report into the treatment of Valdo Calocane, published on 5 February 2025.
NHS England and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have accepted all the recommendations in this report, and we have been clear that we expect these recommendations to be fully implemented.The trust has also been placed in the recovery support programme, meaning it is receiving focused and intensive support from NHS England to turn around its services and improve the quality and safety of care.The National Director for Mental Health has written to all mental health trusts in England to ask them to ensure they have action plans in place to address all the issues in the report by 30 June 2025.We are also taking steps to improve the way that people with severe mental illnesses are treated, including trialling new open access neighbourhood mental health centres that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide people and their families with support if they are in crisis as well as providing wider support such as housing or employment advice to support them to stay well.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of out-of-home advertising of fast food on children and young people.
No assessment has been made of the potential impact of out-of-home advertising of fast food on children and young people. We are however taking proportionate action, including restricting junk food advertising on TV and online, limiting the access of school children to fast food, and banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s.Supporting people to stay healthier for longer is at the heart of this government’s Health Mission which aims to reduce the amount of time spent in ill health, tackle health inequalities and drive economic growth.Evidence shows that the restrictions on junk food advertising on TV and online alone will have a direct impact on childhood obesity by reducing children’s exposure to advertising of less healthy products. We estimate that these restrictions will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets per year in the UK and reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Time to Care Programme on mental health treatment.
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is introducing its Time to Care programme to transform the delivery of mental health inpatient services so that every patient receives high quality, personalised care to support their long-term recovery. The programme launched in 2022 and NHS England has advised that it will take five years to mobilise and embed the programme.The results of the programme are expected to include: patients, along with their families and carers, to be involved in decision-making about the treatment, therapies and support they receive whilst they are an inpatient, and to have a clear plan for their care during their admission and after they are discharged; the average length of time that people need to spend on an inpatient mental health ward to be reduced; and the number of inappropriate out of area placements for patients needing acute mental health inpatient care in Essex to be reduced or eliminated.