Every parliamentary written question tabled by Paula Barker this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–37 of 37 · Department of Health and Social Care
What steps his Department is taking to improve intermediate care for the homeless.
People experiencing homelessness are one of the most complex cohorts for hospital discharge and intermediate care services. The Government is working closely with NHS England and local authorities to drive improvements in intermediate care across the coun...
How many Integrated Care Systems across England have policies targeted to better health outcomes for those that experience homelessness.
Integrated care systems and integrated care boards (ICBs) are expected to have a dedicated focus on tackling health inequalities. The Health and Care Act 2022 mandates that ICBs reduce inequalities in access to and outcomes from healthcare for the populat...
If he will include health outcomes of those who experience homelessness in the NHS ten year plan.
The NHS 10-Year Plan will consider the change needed to meet the three health mission goals: a fairer system where everyone lives well for longer; a National Health Service that is there when people need it; and fewer lives lost to the biggest killers. Of...
What steps he is taking to improve (a) access to and (b) engagement with health and social care services for those who experience homelessness.
The Department recognises the importance of reducing barriers to services for those experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping. This is why we supported the development and implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE)...
What steps his Department taking to use NHS dietitians to help reduce health inequalities.
Dietitians have an important contribution to reducing health inequalities. The Department published Addressing health inequalities across allied health professional (AHP) services: a guide for AHP system leaders in May 2024. The guide focuses on what AHP ...
What plans his Department has to utilise the expertise of (a) dietitians and (b) other allied health professionals to tackle long-term healthcare challenges.
Dietitians are essential to a range of pathways detailed within the NHS Long Term Plan, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke as part of the multi-disciplinary team which includes the other allied health professions (AHPs).AHPs are cr...
What steps he is taking to improve the integration of (a) dietitians and (b) allied health professionals in the delivery of (i) public health and (ii) primary care.
The Department is leading a collaboration between the nations of the United Kingdom, as well as 14 Allied Health Professional (AHP) bodies, including the British Dietetic Association, to refresh the UK Allied Health Professions Public Health Strategic Fra...
What steps his Department is taking to provide Belzutifan to patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS, based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NICE has published f...
What steps his Department plans to take to reduce the waiting lists for NHS mental health services.
People with mental health issues across the country are not getting the support or care they deserve. This is why we will fix the broken system to ensure that mental health is given the same attention and focus as physical health, so that people can be co...
What his planned timeframe is for implementing recommendations of the covid-19 inquiry.
The COVID-19 Inquiry’s first report, which covered resilience and preparedness, was published on 18 July 2024, and makes 10 recommendations for the Government. As the Prime Minister’s written ministerial statement to Parliament said, the Government will c...
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure people aged between 65 and 70 who turned 65 before 1 September 2023 can access the shingles vaccine.
When a vaccination programme is expanded, decisions must be made regarding who to offer the vaccine to first. These decisions are based on advice given by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and includes evidence of the impact of the vaccine in different age groups as well as the capacity of the National Health Service to deliver the vaccination programme alongside other important healthcare priorities.From September 2023, the routine shingles vaccination programme changed from the Zostavax vaccine to the more effective Shingrix vaccine, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the health system.A phased expansion of the routinely eligible cohort also began in September 2023. The programme currently includes those aged 50 years old and over who are at increased risk of serious complications, and those turning 65 years old on or after 1 September 2023, as well as those turning 70 years old, as was previously the case. The programme is next due to be expanded on 1 September 2028 to those turning 60 years old. There is no intention to change the planned expansion of the shingles vaccination programme.Phasing the roll-out of the shingles vaccination over time to everyone aged 60 years old and over is in line with the JCVI’s recommendation, maximises cost effectiveness and population benefit, ensures consistent messaging over time to maximise coverage, takes account of NHS capacity, and is consistent with the approach taken by all four parts of the United Kingdom. This phased approach has been used in the effective implementation of previous immunisation programmes and whilst it may mean that some individuals may have to wait until the date that they would have originally been eligible, many others will receive the vaccines sooner and will benefit for longer.Anyone unsure if they are eligible for the shingles vaccination should check online or should speak to their general practitioner. Further information on shingles vaccine eligibility is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/
If his Department will take steps to enhance employment protections in the adult social care sector.
Our Plan to Make Work Pay sets out a significant and ambitious agenda to ensure workplace rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people, and deliver economic growth.Those working in social care have been ignored for too long, and so will be at the heart of our initial reforms. We will start by engaging with the sector to deliver a long overdue new deal for care workers, including establishing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement.The wider employment protections we are putting in place will also enhance protections for those in the adult social care sector. The Employment Rights Bill will be introduced in the first 100 days in Government and will play a key role in delivering aspects of our Plan to Make Work Pay. This plan will support more people to stay in work, make work more family friendly, and improve living standards. This will put more money in working people’s pockets to spend, boosting economic growth, resilience, and conditions for innovation.
What steps his Department is taking to improve recruitment and retention in the adult social care sector.
The government recognises that there are ongoing challenges with domestic recruitment in adult social care and that the sector has become overly reliant on international recruitment. While the adult social care workforce in England grew by 4.2% in 2023/24, the number of posts in adult social care filled by people with a British nationality has decreased.The government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth and reduce the reliance on international recruitment.
What steps his Department is taking to improve pay across the adult social care sector.
Ensuring workers in the United Kingdom receive fair pay for their work is a key pillar of the Plan to Make Work Pay. Building on the foundations of the creation of the National Minimum Wage, we will make sure that that minimum wage is a real living wage that people can live on. We will change the Low Pay Commission’s remit so that wages will reflect the need for pay to consider the cost of living. The Government has also committed to removing age bands so that every adult worker benefits, and we will work to ensure that the living wage is properly enforced.In addition to these changes, we know that those working in social care have been ignored for too long. They will be at the heart of our initial reforms and we will start by engaging with the sector to deliver a long overdue new deal for care workers. This will include establishing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals, working with trade unions and workers, and learning from countries where Fair Pay Agreements operate successfully.
What discussions his Department plans to have with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the (a) funding and (b) commissioning of adult social care services.
The Department of Health and Social Care has regular discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on adult social care funding, and the commissioning of adult social care services. The Department will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to understand the impact of cost and demand pressures on service delivery and budgets, and to align our approaches, support improvement, and ensure people are at the centre of care decisions.
What his Department's policy is on local authority insourcing of adult social care services.
Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population, which is why under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes planning the balance of services which should be directly provided by the local authority, or commissioned from external care providers.
What steps his Department is taking to help prevent the (a) exploitation of and (b) potential waste in public funding for agencies arranging adult social care workers from overseas.
We have seen unacceptable increases in unethical practices and exploitation of international recruits in the adult social care sector. We are committed to improving the way international recruitment works in adult social care, to ensuring individuals work for legitimate providers, and to tackling the exploitation of workers.This includes working closely with the Home Office to share concerns and intelligence. In addition, £16 million has been provided to regional partnerships this financial year which is focused on providing support to international workers affected by unethical employment practices to access appropriate services and provide pastoral support.The Government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth and reduce the reliance on international recruitment. We want it to be regarded as a profession, and for the people who work in care to be respected as professionals.