Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mary Kelly Foy this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–54 of 54 · Department of Health and Social Care
What steps he is taking to reduce inequalities in dietary health.
Under our Health Mission we will move from a model of sickness to one of prevention, reducing health inequalities and closing the gap in healthy life expectancy, as well as delivering on our commitment to raise the healthiest generation ever. As part of t...
Whether he plans to introduce auto-enrolment for the Healthy Start scheme.
The Healthy Start scheme is kept under review. There have been no discussions with my Rt Hon. Friend, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on introducing auto-enrolment for Healthy Start.The Healthy Start scheme was introduced in 2006 to encourage a h...
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing of a polluter pays levy on tobacco company to fund smoking cessation services; and if he will make it his policy to increase fun
The Government is funding a broad package of measures to tackle the harm caused by smoking, including additional funding for local authority Stop Smoking Services, more enforcement activity around illegal tobacco and vape products, as well as recently lau...
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
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 ge...
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 healthcar...
What steps his Department is taking to include 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 healthcar...
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 Pr...
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 par...
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 h...
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 g...
What steps his Department is taking to (a) support people with and (b) raise awareness of endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition, estimated to affect one in 10 women of reproductive age. Endometriosis can significantly impact women and girls’ physical and mental health, and anyone with symptoms of endometriosis should contact their...
What steps his Department is taking to support adults affected by backlogs for ADHD assessments.
It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including support for those waiting for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments, in line with the relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.We are supporting a cross-sector taskforce that NHS England has launched to explore challenges in ADHD service provision and to help provide a joined-up approach for the growing numbers of people coming forward for support.
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of preparedness for future pandemics.
The Department is embedding lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic within its approach to pandemic preparedness. This includes amending the approach to cover all five routes of communicable disease transmission, rather than focusing on planning for specific threats. We are working with partners in the health and social care system, including the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England, to maintain a flexible and scalable set of response capabilities that can be adapted to any future novel disease. The approach to pandemic preparedness also recognises that the underlying resilience of the health and social care system is crucial to the ability to respond to a novel disease threat.The UK COVID-19 Inquiry published its first report on 18 July 2024, which focuses on resilience and preparedness for a pandemic, and the Department will consider the inquiry’s recommendations in full.
What steps he is taking to help tackle health inequalities in the North East of England.
As part of our health mission, the Government is committed to ensuring people live well for longer. This includes tackling the determinants that underpin stark health inequalities to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions, and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.Local authorities in the North East received a total of £238 million in Public Health Grant funding for 2024/25, with Durham County Council having received £53.9 million for 2024/25. This provides services such as stop smoking, drug and alcohol treatment, school health visits and nursing, and sexual health, among others, all of which contribute to addressing health inequalities. Additionally, Directors of Public Health from each local authority are working in partnership with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board to support action to address inequalities in access, experience, and outcomes associated with health care.Durham County Council is one of 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation, receiving funding to improve outcomes for families with babies as part of the £300 million Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme. This programme is creating a network of family hubs with services to support families from conception to the age of two years old.The North East Mayoral Combined Authority was formed on 7 May 2024, and has also committed to creating a fairer North East, reducing inequalities, and improving health. Its priorities include work to address the causes of health inequalities, such as bringing investment into the region to boost economic growth, and improving available housing, education, inclusion, and skills. The Tees Valley Combined Authority also works to secure investment, create jobs, and grow the economy, helping to create the conditions in which health inequalities can be reduced.