Written questions by Foy.

With reference to the consultation response entitled creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping, published on 12 February 2024, whether he plans to implement the policies set out in that response.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be the biggest public health intervention in a generation, improving healthy life expectancy and reducing the number of lives lost to the biggest killers.Alongside introducing a progressive smoking ban to ensure the next generation can never legally be sold tobacco, the Bill will also stop vapes and other consumer nicotine products from being deliberately branded and advertised to appeal to children. We are additionally considering a range of new measures to put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom and will set out more details soon.

What discussions he has had with third sector organisations on the inclusion of policies on prevention in the proposed ten-year plan for health and social care.

As part of the Government’s five long-term missions, we will launch a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed: moving healthcare from hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.A core part of the development of the 10-Year Health Plan, including its approach to prevention, will be an extensive engagement exercise with the public, staff, and stakeholders, including the third sector. Further details on how to get involved will be set out in the coming weeks.

Whether he plans to make difluoromethylornithine available on the NHS for children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

We understand how important it is that cancer patients are able to benefit from rapid access to effective new treatments. We are aware that the manufacturer difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has applied for a United Kingdom marketing authorisation through Project Orbis, which is an international partnership that allows the more rapid review and approval of promising new cancer treatments.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has already begun evaluating this treatment with the aim of publishing guidance for the National Health Service on its use as soon as possible, if it receives a UK licence.We understand that the manufacturer of DFMO, Norgine, is setting up a ‘compassionate use’ programme, meaning it will be made available free of charge in the UK for individual patients upon a request from a UK prescribing clinician, before a decision is made on the UK marketing authorisation.

What steps he plans to take to support community pharmacies in City of Durham constituency.

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. Previous plans did not go far enough. We are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists.The consultation with Community Pharmacy England on the national funding and contractual framework arrangements for 2024/25 has not yet been concluded, and we are looking into this as a matter of urgency.

If he will make it his policy to create a national allergy tsar within the NHS.

The Government recognises the challenges in allergy care and the need to address the rapid and continuing rise of allergies.The Department’s officials continue to discuss with NHS England and other Government departments and agencies, as well as patient groups, how best to improve care and support for people with allergies, including their health outcomes and quality of life. We will be considering calls for the Government to appoint a national allergy lead this autumn.

What steps he his taking to ensure the adequacy of primary care provision for pensioners in (a) City of Durham constituency and (b) County Durham in winter 2024-25.

The Government cares about pensioners and access to primary care services. We know that patients nationally and in Durham are struggling to access their general practitioner (GP), and that this can be worsened throughout the winter period when demand is higher. We have committed to restoring the front door of the National Health Service by shifting the focus of the NHS out of hospitals and into the community. We know when patients aren’t able to get a GP appointment, they end up in accident and emergency, which is worse for the patient, more expensive for the taxpayer, and creates additional winter pressures.Durham sits within the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), where the percentage of appointments delivered within two weeks of booking is 1.7% lower than the national average. To address this, we will increase the proportion of funding for primary care, 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 appointments delivered in GPs, secure the future pipeline of GPs, and take pressure off those currently working in the system.The Government will trial new neighbourhood health centres to bring community health services together under one roof. We will also bring back the family doctor, by incentivising GPs to see the same patient, so ongoing or complex conditions are dealt with effectively. In doing so, we will improve continuity of care, which is associated with better health outcomes and fewer accident and emergency attendances.