The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luke Hall on 2016-03-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many patients in (a) Ashworth, (b) Broadmoor and (c) Rampton high security psychiatric hospitals received personal independence payment between 2012 and 2015; and what the average weekly payment of that benefit was to such recipients.
Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not readily available, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-14.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reports of the high flooding risks in 57 stations on the London Underground.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The operation and resilience of the London Underground system is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). London Underground routinely examines the risk of flooding and other issues that might affect the smooth running of the Tube service and these reports are part of that process. London Underground and TfL are investigating what more can be done to mitigate these risks and minimise any potential future disruption.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-05-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) medical assessors and (b) others considering applications for (a) personal independence payment and (b) other benefits have knowledge of (i) muscular dystrophy, (ii) neuromuscular conditions and (iii) other rare and progressive conditions.
Justin Tomlinson
All healthcare professionals carrying out assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, which includes the evaluation of how medical conditions affect claimants in their day-to-day activities. Prior to carrying out an assessment, assessors refresh their knowledge of any condition with which they are not fully familiar.
Benefit entitlement is determined by the Department’s decision makers, who receive extensive training to enable them to evaluate a claim and assess a claimant’s needs. In order to make a decision on benefit entitlement the decision maker considers all the available evidence, including the reports received from the healthcare professional and any further evidence, which may include reports from GPs, hospital doctors and other clinicians.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2016-07-20.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps are being taken to ensure adoption of the National BSR and BHPR guidelines for the management of giant cell arteritis within the NHS; and whether his Department plans to assess whether the recommendations in those guidelines are being met.
David Mowat
Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for the provision of services for people with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Whilst it would not be appropriate for NHS England to direct CCGs to adopt a particular clinical pathway, it continues to ensure that the innovative approach developed at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (FT) is shared and made available to clinicians.
There are a number of clinical guidelines that are available to support the prompt diagnosis and referral of patients with suspected GCA, including one produced by the Royal College of Physicians, which Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta, who developed the GCA pathway at Southend University Hospital NHS FT, helped to produce. This guidance provides a framework for disease assessment, immediate treatment and referral to specialist care. Furthermore, both the British Society for Rheumatology and the British Health Professionals in Rheumatology published guidelines on the management of polymyalgia rheumatica, a related condition, for general practitioners and rheumatologists. These encourage the prompt diagnosis and urgent management of GCA, helping to minimise GCA related vision loss.
The Specialised Rheumatology Clinical Reference Group at NHS England has developed proposals to establish local rheumatology networks. These are being implemented over a three year period to support consistent access to clinically effective therapies and to share good and innovative practice across the country. In addition, NHS England’s innovation team has invited Professor Dasgupta to contribute to the NHS Innovation Exchange Portal to ensure that this knowledge is shared.
On 24 June 2016, NHS England recently facilitated a webinar presented by Professor Dasgupta, which aimed to show how the fast-track pathway has significantly reduced the number of patients suffering sight-loss as an avoidable complication of GCA and, in addition, presents a case that this model is cost-saving, results in an increased patient quality of life, and successfully reduces the time to diagnosis in line with established clinical guidelines. NHS England promoted the webinar across the musculoskeletal community as well as to CCGs and patient groups through a wide range of communications channels.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Hodge on 2016-10-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many companies her Department has excluded from public procurement for (a) a conviction for wrongdoing defined by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or (b) grave professional misconduct since January 2015.
Rory Stewart
Since January 2015 there have been no instances where DFID Procurement and Commercial Department (PCD) have excluded a company from a Public Procurement for the circumstances cited.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Boateng on 2015-11-20.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the likely impact of the outcomes of the Valletta Conference on Migration in reducing youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Action Plan agreed at the Valletta Summit on 11/12 November set out a clear strategy for tackling irregular migration that focuses on the root causes as well as the consequences. The Plan highlighted in particular the importance of providing greater job opportunities for young men and women, and stepping up support to young people in acquiring labour market-relevant skills through education, vocational training and access to digital technologies. These efforts will be supported through increased EU and bilateral funding – including a new EU Trust Fund – which we assess will help tackle youth unemployment and other drivers of migration.
The UK is committed to ensuring that the pledges made at Valletta are followed up quickly and that progress is monitored. In the Horn of Africa, the main mechanism to achieve this will be the EU/African Union “Khartoum Process” on tackling migration. The UK took on the chair of the Khartoum Process on 23 November and hosted a Senior Officials Meeting in London on 24 November. Alongside our partners, we will use this process to drive forward concrete action.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Arkless on 2015-12-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the effect of Scottish Government policies on the level of new affordable social housing in Scotland.
Brandon Lewis
Delivery of affordable housing in Scotland is a devolved matter.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2016-01-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many National Clinical Directors will be appointed; and what areas those National Clinical Directors will cover after April 2016.
George Freeman
NHS England will be supported by 17 National Clinical Directors (NCDs) from 1 April 2016. 14 of these roles have been advertised and will be newly appointed. Three NCDs will continue in post into 2016/17; these are NCDs for Maternity and Women’s Health, Learning Disabilities and Innovation. The 17 roles are:
National Clinical Director (Major Programmes):
— Cancer
— Mental Health
— Diabetes and Obesity
— Learning Disabilities
— Urgent and Emergency Care
— Maternity and Women’s Health
— Innovation
National Clinical Director (Service Improvement):
― Cardiac Services
― Stroke
― Respiratory
― End of Life Care
― Diagnostics, including Imaging and Endoscopy
― Musculoskeletal
― Dementia
― Emergency Preparedness and Critical Care
National Clinical Director (Population Groups):
— Children, Young People and Transition to Adulthood
— Older People and Integrated Person-Centred Care
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Lord Bishop of Southwark on 2016-02-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conditions facing Iraqi refugees in Jordan.
Baroness Verma
The situation for many refugees in Jordan is challenging, irrespective of nationality. Services are provided by the international community and the Government of Jordan based on a system of prioritisation of the most vulnerable and Iraqi refugees are included in this system. Like all refugees, Iraqis are registered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and access assistance from UN agencies, international NGOs and national NGOs. Partners assess vulnerability in Jordan at individual, community and household levels. These vulnerability assessments take into account positive coping strategies and support networks, which are understood to be better established among the Iraqi community, including through religious institutions such as mosques and churches.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-03-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to protect schools in conflict zones.
Mr Desmond Swayne
HMG deplores the fact that armed conflict can expose students and teaching personnel to harm. We believe that better implementation of, and better compliance with, existing International Humanitarian Law will provide the best protection for civilians, including children, in all situations of armed conflict.