The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Smith on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with NHS England regarding the (a) commissioning of continence services and (b) guidelines for continence services.
Jane Ellison
My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets representatives from NHS England on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues, including the commissioning of local NHS services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from groups representing junior doctors on a new junior doctors’ contract.
Alistair Burt
Two letters have been received from the chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA), Dr Mark Porter in response to the Secretary of State’s request for the BMA to re-enter negotiations with NHS Employers for a new junior doctors’ contract. Dr Porter also raised the issue of the junior doctors’ contract in a meeting with the Secretary of State on 10 September. In addition, 12 correspondents have identified themselves as doctors in training and have written directly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the new junior doctors’ contract to be published; and if he will make a statement.
Alistair Burt
After the British Medical Association (BMA) left negotiations in October 2014, the Government asked the independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) to make recommendations on a new contract for junior doctors. The DDRB report published on 16 July considered evidence from employers, Government, the British Medical Association (BMA) and other interested parties and made recommendations on a new pay structure for doctors and dentists in training.
The Secretary of State accepted the recommendations of the DDRB as the basis for implementing a new contract and invited the BMA to re-enter negotiations to take forward the recommendations with NHS Employers. Although the DDRB accepted the principles of the reforms there remained significant work to finalise and agree the details of the contract and it was expected that these would be agreed between the parties on the basis of a negotiation. It is disappointing that on 13 August the BMA announced that it would not re-engage in negotiations based on the independent report and absented itself from participating in making important design decisions on the new contract.
The Government cannot accept that a Trade Union should have a veto on making changes to an outdated employment contract that the BMA agreed urgently needed reform. The Department has therefore asked NHS Employers to take forward the work of developing a new employment contract without the BMA. NHS Employers are arranging to consult with junior doctors and other interested stakeholders directly and will shortly launch a series of roadshows across the country. The Government would still welcome the BMA re-entering the negotiation.
The new contract will prioritise safe care by strengthening safeguards on doctors’ working hours and reward junior doctors more fairly for the work they do. No financial savings will be made from implementing the new contract. It will be finalised in the new year and is due to be implemented from August 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Liz McInnes on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Public Health England and NHS England’s improvement framework for hepatitis C will be published.
Jane Ellison
A publication date for the hepatitis C framework has not yet been confirmed. While NHS England is progressing the hepatitis C framework, Public Health England continues working with NHS England and Operational Development Networks to establish a process of monitoring of treatment access and uptake.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on integrating universal credit with eligibility criteria for services provided by the NHS.
Alistair Burt
The Department of Health has been part of ongoing discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions, and other Government departments, on the best approach for enabling those in receipt of Universal Credit to receive entitlement to passported benefits. It has been agreed that a system of earnings thresholds will be introduced as claimant numbers expand to ensure that these benefits continue to be targeted at those who need them most.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of delayed transfers in West Sussex; and if he will make a statement.
Alistair Burt
Action taken to address delayed transfers in West Sussex is a matter for the local health and social care community.
We understand that Crawley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Horsham and Mid Sussex CCG are monitoring any delays on a daily basis, and working closely with colleagues in social care and community health teams. Coordinated actions between health and social care include dedicated meetings focusing on delayed transfers of care held each week; proactive management of patient flow via daily ward rounds; implementation of a daily “SITREP” and escalation process for patients who are significantly delayed; and ward sponsorship by local managers to support change.
Sussex Community NHS Trust is undertaking a detailed review of these issues, and has put an action plan in place to address them.
The CCGs are also working in partnership with West Sussex County Council to develop an integrated hospital discharge model, and have already established a Hospital Rapid Discharge Team at Princess Royal Hospital which is reducing the number of patients that go on to the wards by between 25% – 30%.
We are advised that these efforts have resulted in a steady reduction in average length of stay over recent months.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to increase public understanding of diabetes and its symptoms.
Jane Ellison
Change4Life, Public Health England’s (PHE) social marketing programme aimed at families with children aged 5 to 11 gives advice about healthy lifestyles in order to lower the risks of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, some cancers and heart disease. More than 2.7 million people have engaged with the campaign.
PHE is currently developing a social marketing campaign for adults about improving their own health, encouraging them to make a number of lifestyle changes including taking more exercise, improving diet, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.
The Department, building on the National Diabetes Prevention Programme, has committed to improving the outcomes for those with and at risk of diabetes. We will announce our plans in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in children under five.
Jane Ellison
We are supporting the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of children with diabetes through a national best practice tariff, which sets out the standards of care and services that should be in place for children and young people in diabetes services. A round of peer review of all units providing care for children with diabetes was completed in September 2014. Through the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership we support the dedicated National Paediatric Diabetes Audit.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bone on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the availability of drugs not yet approved by NICE.
George Freeman
Where a drug or treatment has not been appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, funding decisions should be made by the relevant commissioner, based on an assessment of the available evidence and on the basis of an individual patient’s clinical circumstances.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2015-09-17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons his Department sought the deemed consent arrangements for grants from HM Treasury under Section 64 of the Health and Public Act 1968; and what the job titles are of the officials in his Department that were involved in those discussions.
Jane Ellison
The Department agreed deemed consent arrangements with HM Treasury to reduce the administrative burden, recognising that newer grant giving legislation did not require similar approvals, and to streamline the grants making process, whilst maintaining the same level of oversight and scrutiny of cases. The decision was made with the agreement of the Director of Group Finance and the Deputy Director – Voluntary Sector Grants.