Tag: Clive Efford

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how his Department consulted local GPs and other health providers during the tendering process for musculoskeletal services in Greenwich; how his Department assessed the implications of the outcome of that process for the services provided by those people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

The procurement of local health services by means of competitive tendering is a matter for the local National Health Service.

We are advised that NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) undertook a review of the provision of musculoskeletal (MSK) services in the area in 2014, involving local general practitioners (GPs), secondary care clinicians, other MSK clinicians and patient groups. The CCG took account of this exercise in confirming its commissioning intentions for an integrated MSK service pathway. The CCG subsequently held a GP clinical commissioner-led provider engagement event on 2 March 2016 to seek feedback on the clinical service specification and the proposed contractual model.

We understand that, as part of the procurement process, the MSK Programme Board was fully apprised of the Our Healthier South East London initiative, the predecessor to the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) in respect of elective orthopaedic centres.

We are advised that the Invitation to Tender (ITT) developed as part of the procurement exercise explicitly stated the aspirations of these two initiatives, in addition to the proposed implementation timeline. When submitting their bids, all prospective providers were required to confirm their understanding and acceptance of the planned new model of in-patient care. Patient choice continues to apply with regard to both this local procurement and the South East London STP proposals on elective care centres.

We understand that the ITT issued to potential service providers, was divided into sections, with each section allocated a weighting. The financial weighting was designed to ensure that the selection of the preferred provider was driven by clinical quality scores whilst remaining within the CCG’s published financial envelope. The detailed clinical service specification will be used to hold the provider to account within the format of the NHS national standard contract.

Health Ministers have not received any representations from local health practitioners in Greenwich with regard to the provision of MSK services in the area.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has received representations on whether Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group was quorate at its meeting of 29 June 2016 when it awarded the contract for musculoskeletal services to Circle Holdings PLC; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

The procurement of local health services by means of competitive tendering is a matter for the local National Health Service.

The Department has not received any representations on the matter of whether Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was quorate at its meeting of 29 June 2016 when it awarded the contract for musculoskeletal services to Circle Health.

We are informed by NHS England that the CCG follows standard NHS procurement procedures and these procedures were followed for this procurement.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress his Department has made on plans to introduce a Horserace Betting Right; and if he will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch

Work is continuing on the detailed policy design of the Horserace Betting Right. We will make an announcement in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-01-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2016 to Question 22574, for what reasons, during the closure of the Bexleyheath rail line during the week beginning 11 January 2016, (a) Southeastern services on adjacent lines were cancelled, (b) there was a lack of information about alternative services and (c) staff had no information to pass onto customers about alternative services or when replacement bus services would arrive; what systems were put in place to communicate regular updates of information to staff so customers could be given accurate advice; what advice was given to staff regarding assistance for people with disabilities; what steps he is taking to determine whether the responses to the situation from Network Rail and Southeastern were adequate; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry

Following the unfortunate landslip at Barnehust, it was necessary to close the line serving Bexleyheath in order that repairs could be carried out.

As a result of the Bexleyheath line closure, Southeastern have had to run more trains on the adjacent lines to provide extra capacity for passengers. This led to minimal cancellations to the scheduled timetable on adjacent lines.

Information regarding alternative travel arrangements was provided by posters at affected stations, station announcements, on National Rail Industry systems, the Southeastern website and on social media.

Staff were given regular updates on the alternative travel arrangements and station announcements were made where appropriate. Replacement buses were in operation between Lewisham and Dartford via Bexleyheath in both directions. Other bus services were accepting Southeastern tickets, additionally, Docklands Light Railway and London Underground were accepting tickets where appropriate. Regular updates were provided to station management, who provided briefings to their station staff. The Passenger Assist service was in effect and Southeastern staff were advised to book taxis from stations that were not accessible for those passengers who required them.

My officials were in regular contact with Southeastern and Network Rail, who ensured that the line was opened as quickly as possible and that passengers were kept informed at all times.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the implications of Circle Holding plc being awarded the contract to provide musculoskeletal services in Greenwich for other services provided by Greenwich and Lewisham NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

The procurement of local health services by means of competitive tendering is a matter for the local National Health Service.

However, we are advised that NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group does not envisage that the recent award to Circle Health of the contract to provide musculoskeletal services will have any implications for other services provided by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-10-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group and Healthwatch Greenwich on patient involvement in the commissioning process prior to the granting of the contract to provide musculoskeletal services to Circle Holdings PLC; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

The provision of local health services is a matter for the local National Health Service.

There have been no meetings between Ministers at the Department and Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group and Healthwatch Greenwich about patient involvement in the commissioning process prior to the granting of the contract to provide musculoskeletal services to Circle Holdings PLC.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefit to sport of the introduction of a Sport Betting Right; and if he will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch

The government has no plans to introduce a sport betting right.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-02-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress the Food Standards Agency has made on coordinating steps in partnership with the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency and the National Crime Agency to stop the marketing of Miracle Mineral Solution as a cure for children with autism; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued advice that Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) is not safe and should not be sold as a supplement. It has been working with local authorities across the country to share knowledge, investigate and disrupt the sale of MMS and other similar products.

Further activity is being conducted with the support of the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and with the involvement of the FSA’s National Food Crime Unit. This activity is ongoing and it would not be appropriate to comment in detail.

However, the FSA has secured the removal of MMS products from some major marketplace websites, and it has shared information internationally through the National Crime Agency, alerting authorities in other countries to planned seminars at which the use of MMS is promoted.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many GP practices in Greenwich borough have vacancies for practice nurses; what the consequential cost savings were per practice in (a) 2015-16 and (b) the current financial year to date; and if he will make a statement.

David Mowat

The information requested is not centrally held.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Clive Efford on 2016-10-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has made an assessment of the procedures that Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group followed when it took its decision to award the contract for musculoskeletal services to Circle Holdings PLC; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

The procurement of local health services by means of competitive tendering is a matter for the local National Health Service.

We are informed by NHS England that Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group follows standard NHS procurement procedures and these procedures were followed for this procurement.