Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Martin this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 52 · Department of Health and Social Care
Whether he has a planned timetable for removing self-funded artificial insemination for same sex couples before they can access NHS-funded in vitro fertilisation.
In the light of broader pressures on the National Health Service and on-going changes within NHS England, we have been looking again at achievable ambitions to improve access to fertility services and fairness for all affected couples. Ministers will be considering advice on fertility treatment for same sex couples soon.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility for the shingles vaccination to people aged 65 or over.
In 2019, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that the shingles vaccination programme should switch to using a two-dose vaccine called Shingrix, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the health system. The committee also advised that the vaccine should be given to everyone at the age of 60 years old, rather than 70 years old.Based on this advice, the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England decided to phase the expansion of the shingles programme. During the first phase, which commenced September 2023, those who reach the ages of 65 or 70 years old should be called in for vaccination on or after their 65th or 70th birthday. During the second phase, from September 2028, individuals will be called in for vaccination on or after their 60th or 65th birthday. From 1 September 2033 onwards, vaccination is routinely offered to those turning 60 years of age on or after their 60th birthday.This is a newly expanded programme, and anyone unsure if they are eligible for the shingles vaccination should check online, on the NHS.UK website, or should speak to their general practice.In November 2024, the JCVI provided further advice to the Department on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme. This included advice that the Government should consider expanding the shingles vaccination offer to include older adult cohorts aged 80 years old and over. The Government will consider this latest advice when setting the policy on who should be offered shingles vaccinations, and will update in due course.
What estimate he has made of the number of radiologists working in the NHS in (a) England and (b) Tunbridge Wells Hospital; and what steps he is taking to increase the number of radiologists working in the NHS.
Data published by NHS England shows that as of December 2024, there are 3,998 full-time equivalent (FTE) consultants in the speciality of clinical radiology employed in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England. Of these, there are 28 FTE consultants employed in the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Data is not available for the workforce of specific hospitals within NHS hospital trusts.When including doctors of all grades, there are 5,844 FTE doctors working in the specialty of clinical radiology in NHS trusts and other core organisations in England, 35 of which are employed in the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.We are committed to training the staff we need, including radiologists, to ensure that patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it. To reform the NHS and make it fit for the future, we have launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s five long-term missions.Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual NHS employers. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.
What steps his Department is taking to (a) strengthen protections for NHS whistleblowers and (b) prevent repercussions for those who raise patient safety concerns.
The Government has been clear that the silencing of whistleblowers will not be tolerated, and that National Health Service staff should have the confidence to speak out and come forward if they have concerns.There is a network of more than 1,200 local Freedom to Speak Up Guardians across healthcare in England, whose role is to help and support NHS workers who want to speak up about any concerns that they have. There is also a national Freedom to Speak Up policy, published by NHS England, which sets out the minimum standards for local Freedom to Speak Up policies across the NHS, with all NHS organisations having been instructed to adopt this policy. These initiatives sit alongside legal protections for whistleblowers, which have been strengthened so that they also prohibit discrimination against job applicants on the grounds that they have spoken up in the past.In November 2024, the Department launched a consultation on options for regulating NHS managers, with the aim of improving leadership quality and accountability. This will help ensure that the NHS has strong and effective leadership in place, and that leaders and managers are held accountable for their practice. The consultation closed on 18 February 2025 and had strong engagement, receiving nearly 5,000 responses.
If he will make an assessment of the potential (a) merits of including Tunbridge Wells in the High Cost Area Allowance and (b) impact of these proposals on staff (i) recruitment and (ii) retention for the NHS Trust.
It is part of the Pay Review Bodies’ remit to look at and, if necessary, make recommendations on the future geographic coverage of high-cost area supplements, and on the value of such supplements. As these provisions are reflected in staff terms and conditions of service, any recommended changes would need to be collectively agreed between employers and trade unions.Alternatively, National Health Service employers or staff organisations in a specified geographic area can propose an increase in the level of high-cost area supplement, or can request the introduction of a supplement where no supplement exists. There must be evidence to support its introduction, and this would be down to local determination.
Whether there are compensation schemes available for people made ill by defective hip replacements supplied by DePuy.
NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England. NHSR has confirmed that there is no specific NHS compensation scheme for claims relating to defective hip replacements supplied by DePuy.While there is no specific compensation scheme for claims relating to defective hip replacements supplied by DePuy, NHSR’s website gives some general advice for claimants wishing to make a claim for clinical negligence, with further information available at the following link:https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/claims-management/advice-for-claimants/Anyone who is aware of complications or adverse events associated with hip replacement devices is encouraged to seek clinical advice from their responsible clinician and report the issue via the Yellow Card Scheme, which is available at the following link:https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the criteria for removing varicose veins to include the level of pain experienced.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance identifies several treatment options for those with symptoms or complications associated with varicose veins, including surgery to remove the veins.Pain that is more severe can often be associated with other conditions. A decision on which treatment is most appropriate will be led by a clinician on a case- by-case basis, based on the evidence, level of associated risk, as well as the pain and symptoms the patient presents with.
What grants are available for (a) district and (b) borough councils to support mental health initiatives.
There are no grants available specifically to support mental health initiatives at this time; however, local authorities may decide to fund such initiatives from their Public Health Grant allocations.
What recent progress he has made with NHS England on rolling out the Fracture Liaison Service.
Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) are a globally recognised care model, and can reduce the risk of refracture for people at risk of osteoporosis by up to 40%.The Government and NHS England support the clinical case for services which help to prevent fragility fractures, and support the patients who sustain them. The Government is committed to ending the postcode lottery for access to FLS.FLS are commissioned by integrated care boards, which make decisions according to local need. Officials are continuing to work closely with NHS England to consider how best to support systems to ensure better quality and access to these important preventative services.
What the uptake is of (a) Covid-19 and (b) flu vaccinations in Tunbridge Wells constituency .
The information is not held in the format requested. Monthly data includes the numbers of those vaccinated, but the data is not extrapolated and is based on the response rate of those organisations responding to the monthly survey. NHS England and local authority data is not held for the Tunbridge Wells constituency.National level COVID-19 and flu vaccine uptake percentages for eligible general practice (GP) patients are published weekly by the UK Health Security Agency for the 2024 to 2025 season. This includes a descriptive analysis comparing weekly uptake percentages to the same week in the previous season. The seasonal uptake reports for 2024 to 2025 are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-seasonFlu vaccine uptake data for GP patients, school-aged children, and frontline healthcare workers is published monthly. Healthcare worker data also includes COVID-19 vaccine uptake data. The data for the 2024 to 2025 season is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/vaccine-uptake#seasonal-flu-vaccine-uptake:-figuresRegional level COVID-19 data for the Autumn 2024 campaign is published by the Office of National Statistics in the National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports for the 2024 to 2025 season, which are available at the following link:https://geoportal.statistics.gov.uk/datasets/dfae04aa7f624cdd89af6903c76c0056/explore
Whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the powers of Coroners to include the investigation of stillbirths.
The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice jointly consulted on proposals to provide coroners with new powers to investigate term stillbirths in 2019. In 2023, a factual summary of responses to the consultation was published. The Government will provide an update on next steps at the earliest opportunity.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that private ambulance service personnel on NHS contracts receive (a) recognition and (b) honours.
Under the honours system of the United Kingdom, anyone can receive an award, and anyone can nominate someone if they demonstrate the exceptional contribution the person has made.Recognition for those working in the private sector is primarily a matter for their employers.
What the average waiting time was for an autism diagnosis in Kent in (a) 2025 and (b) 2020; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for receiving an autism diagnosis.
The information is not held centrally in the format requested, but may be held by individual providers or integrated care boards (ICBs). Some relevant information is available on autism assessment waiting times for the NHS Kent and Medway ICB.In the NHS Kent and Medway ICB, the Autism Waiting Time Statistics published by NHS England show that there were a total of 8,695 patients with an open suspected autism referral in September 2024, the latest available data, and a total of 3,015 patients with an open suspected autism referral in September 2020. The median waiting time of all patients in this ICB with an open suspected autism referral, where their first care contact was in the quarter, was 483 days in September 2024, and 139 days in September 2020.Data on children and young people in this dataset is expected to be an underestimate and caution should be used when interpreting these statistics since they are experimental rather than official statistics.It is the responsibility of ICBs to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including autism assessments and diagnosis, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing guidance to hospitals on using withheld numbers to contact patients about appointments.
National Health Services may sometimes choose to use withheld numbers when contacting patients, including to protect patient privacy and confidentiality, but we appreciate the frustration that patients can feel when they are unable to contact clinical staff, especially following a call from a withheld number, and recognise the importance of patients being able to establish channels of two-way communication.The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out the reform and productivity efforts needed to ensure patients are seen on time, but also to improve their experience of care, which includes enhancing and improving two-way communication between patients and NHS services, whether through digital options such as an enhanced NHS App or non-digital routes.
If he will take steps to ensure that NHS patients who consent to have their data shared with UK medical institutions for research and development will not have their data shared overseas.
Research studies in which patients choose to share their data must adhere to strict legal and ethical standards, including compliance with the United Kingdom’s General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the common law duty of confidentiality. As part of this, participants must be fully informed about how their data will be used, including with whom it might be shared, so they can make an informed decision about their participation.The National Health Service and major UK research institutions are increasingly adopting secure data environments for data access, with researchers accessing data through secure online portals rather than it being directly shared with them. Each NHS and research organisation has its own processes when sharing data that ensure that they comply with legal requirements. Consent materials would explain the circumstances where data may be made available outside of the UK.NHS England, for example, enters into formal data sharing agreements where it is sharing information with researchers, which specifies the geographical area within which data processing is permitted. Where data processing occurs outside the UK, additional conditions must be fulfilled to ensure researchers put in place adequate organisational and technical controls, and comply with their legal responsibilities in relation to overseas transfers that are required under UK GDPR.NHS England undertakes routine audits of data sharing agreements to ensure that high standards are consistently maintained.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with long covid are adequately supported.
I know firsthand how complex and debilitating long COVID can be.Since 2020, specialist long COVID services have been made available in England, and NHS England is now completing a stocktake of these services.This will provide an accurate national picture, identify key challenges and make strategic recommendations for future service improvement, development and assurance.We have also invested over £57 million in long COVID research.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a British supplier of Creon.
The Department has been working with suppliers to address current supply issues with Creon, which is a brand of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) used by patients with conditions such as cystic fibrosis and certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The supply issues with Creon are impacting countries throughout Europe and have been caused by the limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints to produce volumes needed to meet demand. These issues have resulted in knock-on supply disruptions of alternative PERT medications.The Department is continuing to work with all suppliers of PERT to help resolve the supply issues in the short and longer term by asking that they expedite deliveries, source stock from other markets, and increase production. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers of unlicensed medicine to understand whether they can source unlicensed imports of Creon to help mitigate this supply issue. Where such imports have been sourced, the Department has worked with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to expedite regulatory processes.There are no plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a British supplier of Creon. However, we have established incentives to encourage United Kingdom life sciences manufacture, including via the Life Science Innovative Manufacturing Fund. The Government has committed up to £520 million to support businesses investing in life science manufacturing projects in the UK, and this would be open to applicants interested in setting up PERT manufacture in the UK.
What assessment he has made of the impact of supply chain issues surrounding the importing of Creon into the United Kingdom on patients with pancreatic diseases; and what steps he is taking to increase the amount of Creon being imported into the United Kingdom.
The Department has been working with suppliers to address the current supply issues with Creon, which is a brand of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) used by patients with conditions such as cystic fibrosis and certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The supply issues with Creon are impacting countries throughout Europe and have been caused by the limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints to produce volumes needed to meet demand. These issues have resulted in knock-on supply disruptions of alternative PERT medications.The Department is continuing to work with all suppliers of PERT to help resolve the supply issues in the short and longer term by asking that they expedite deliveries, source stock from other markets, and increase production. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers of unlicensed medicine to understand whether they can source unlicensed imports of Creon to help mitigate this supply issue. Where such imports have been sourced, the Department has worked with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to expedite regulatory processes.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a Medicines Shortages Task Force.
While there are no plans to establish a Medicines Shortages Task Force, there is a team within the Department that deals specifically with medicine supply problems. They work closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the pharmaceutical industry, NHS England, and others operating in the supply chain to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when shortages do arise.The resilience of United Kingdom’s supply chains is a key priority, and we are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues, and avoid shortages for patients. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages and strengthen our resilience. However, medicine shortages are a complex and global issue and everyone in the supply chain has a role to play in addressing them, as any action will require a collaborative approach.There are approximately 14,000 medicines licensed for supply in the UK, and while most are in good supply, there can sometimes be supply issues with a limited number of medicines. Supply disruption is an issue which affects the UK, as well as the other countries around the world. High-profile medicine supply issues have been global in their nature.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 15983 on General Practitioners: Kent, how much it cost to set up Bromleag Care Practice in 2019.
The Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) commenced the procurement process for an Enhanced Medical Support in Care Homes provider in May 2018.Following the completion of that process, on 10 January 2019, the Bromley CCG primary care committee gave approval for the Alternative Provider Medical Services contract to be awarded to the Bromley GP Alliance, who run Bromleag Care Practice, for a term of five years, with an option to extend for a further five years.The indicative financial envelope approved for the contract was £1.26 million. The costs of setting up the practice were included as part of that contract. The Bromleag Care practice was set up specifically to provide enhanced care for residents of nursing homes, residential homes, and those in extra care housing in Bromley.To note, the total National Health Service payments paid to the Bromleag Care Practice in 2022/23 were reported as £5,317,351, which included payments received by the practice on behalf of the local Primary Care Network. The total NHS payments to general practice minus deductions was £1,434,316.