Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 24 April 2023.

Voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access (VPAS) delivers value for money to taxpayer and saves NHS billions, facilitating patient access to new lifesaving treatments and medicines, and supporting UK life sciences sector.

The NHS will save £7 billion by the end of 2023 thanks to a 5-year agreement with the pharmaceutical industry, which ensures the NHS can continue to be one of the fastest health systems in the world to roll out innovative medicines.

VPAS, the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access, was introduced in 2019 to keep the branded medicine bill affordable for the NHS by capping the growth of sales, while improving patient access to medicines by getting new medicines into use more quickly, and supporting our life sciences sector.

Thanks to the scheme, thousands of NHS patients have benefitted from dozens of new treatments for conditions ranging from the most common cancers, to cutting edge gene therapy for ultra-rare disorders.

Through VPAS, NHS England has:

• delivered a world-leading rollout of cystic fibrosis triple therapy, which is crucial as the prevalence of cystic fibrosis in the UK is the second highest in Europe and third globally
• secured first-in-Europe patient access for a number of new drugs, including a revolutionary lung cancer drug – sotorasib – and life-extending prostate cancer drug, darolutamide
• negotiated commercial agreements to provide 3 new treatments, in less than 3 years, for children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy – the leading genetic cause of infant mortality
• struck a series of national deals for HIV treatments and preventative drugs that will support England to meet an ambition to become the first country to end HIV transmissions before 2030

Health Minister, Will Quince, said:

Not only has VPAS delivered value for money for the taxpayer and saved the NHS billions of pounds, it has also saved people’s lives by supporting cancer patients and others with life-threatening conditions to have rapid access to new, life-saving and life-extending treatments.

The scheme is vitally important as it keeps the branded medicine bill affordable for the NHS, and ensures the UK life sciences industry can earn the money it needs to fund research and development into new and improved medicine.

The NHS buys medicines from pharmaceutical companies and is internationally competitive in the speed in adopting innovative medicines. Industry data shows there are 5 treatments available in England for every 4 in Europe, as well as almost a third more cancer drugs.

VPAS has also helped NHS England to:

• continue progress that keeps England on track to become the first country to eliminate hepatitis C ahead of the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal
• fast-track more than 100 cancer drugs to NHS patients via the Cancer Drugs Fund
• provide international leadership in the delivery of a subscription-style payment model for antibiotics to incentivise new development and help tackle antimicrobial resistance

Chief Negotiations Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care, Sir Hugh Taylor, said:

The future VPAS scheme must continue to benefit the NHS and give its patients access to the best medicines, while supporting our life sciences sector.

I’m looking forward to parties getting round the table to reach an agreement which not only benefits the NHS but will also encourage the pharmaceutical sector to continue investing in the UK.

Negotiations for the successor to the current VPAS are expected to start in the spring, with Sir Hugh Taylor appointed by the government to oversee the negotiations. The successor scheme will come into force on 1 January 2024.

NHS England’s Director for Commercial Medicines Negotiation, Rob Kettell, said:

The NHS has a track record of using its commercial capabilities to secure world-leading access to life-changing new treatments for patients at the best value for the taxpayer, with recent industry data placing the UK in the top 3 fastest G20 countries to roll-out new medicines.

This scheme has had a major impact for thousands of patients and their families, and ahead of negotiations for a new branded medicines agreement, the NHS is committed to working with government and industry to ensure that patients’ needs are at the forefront of these discussions.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 April 2023.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 11 April 2023.

Pregnant women will also be offered financial incentives to help them quit as part of a sweeping package of measures to cut smoking rates in England.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 9 April 2023.

Bold new measures to combat rising levels of youth vaping expected to be announced.

• A new ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ – backed by £3 million of government funding – to be formed to enforce rules on vaping and tackle illegal sales of vapes to under-18s
• Call for Evidence also launched to identify opportunities to stop children vaping

The government is expected to unveil tough new measures to combat the illegal sale of vapes to under-18s as part of its plans to reduce smoking and tackle youth vaping.

In his speech at Policy Exchange on Tuesday 11 April, Health Minister Neil O’Brien is expected to announce a new ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ – backed by £3 million of government funding – to enforce the rules on vaping and tackle illicit vapes and underage sales.

Working across the country, the enforcement squad led by Trading Standards will share knowledge and intelligence across regional networks and local authorities.

It will undertake specific projects such as test purchasing in convenience stores and vape shops. It will also produce guidance to help build regulatory compliance, and will have the power to remove illegal products from shops and at our borders.

The minister is also expected to announce the launch of a Call for Evidence to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes, while ensuring they remain available as a quit aid for adult smokers.

It will explore topical issues such as the marketing and promotion of vapes and the environmental impact of disposable products.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:

Smoking kills, so our priority is to prevent people smoking, and support them to quit. We remain committed to our ambition to be smokefree by 2030.

However, while vaping is a preferable alternative to smoking for adults, we are concerned about the rise in youth vaping, particularly the increasing use of disposable vaping products.

The new illicit vapes enforcement squad will work across the country and clamp down on those businesses who sell vapes to children – which is illegal – and get them hooked on nicotine. Our Call for Evidence will also allow us to get a firm understanding of the steps we can take to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes.

Smoking prevalence in England in 2021 was 13.0%, the lowest on record, thanks to measures such as doubling duty on cigarettes since 2010 and continued funding to local stop smoking services. In 2021-22, £68 million of funding from the public health grant was spent on stop smoking services by local authorities, and nearly 100,000 people quit with the support of a stop smoking service.

In addition, £35 million was committed to the NHS last year so that all smokers admitted to hospital will be offered NHS-funded tobacco treatment services.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 April 2023.

Children aged 6 months to 4 years in a clinical risk group will be eligible for a Covid vaccine.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

Children are at very low risk of harm from Covid.

However, there are a very small number of children with health conditions which make them particularly vulnerable, and for those children we want to give parents the choice as to whether they wish to vaccinate their at risk child or not.

I have accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on vaccinating children aged from 6 months to 4 years who are in a clinical risk group. It is a parental decision, and this advice is simply to enable parents of children with medical conditions to choose if they wish to have the protection.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 April 2023.

Latest data shows there are more doctors, nurses and staff than ever before working in the NHS.

• Government on track to deliver on commitment for 50,000 more nurses by 2024, with over 41,000 more nurses compared to September 2019
• New pension rules also come into force today to support senior clinicians to continue working in the NHS for longer

There are record number of doctors and nurses working in the NHS in England helping to deliver extra appointments, speed up diagnoses and cut waiting lists, according to the latest stats.

Data published today by NHS Digital shows in January 2023 there were almost 1.27 million full-time equivalent staff working in NHS trusts and commissioning bodies in England – over 48,700 more people compared to a year ago, an increase of 4%.

The latest data also shows there were over 5,100 more doctors and over 11,800 more nurses working in the NHS compared to January 2022.

Since 2010, there are now over 37,700 more doctors and over 52,400 more nurses working in the NHS. The government is also on track to deliver on its commitment for 50,000 more nurses by 2024, with over 41,000 more nurses compared to September 2019.

Separately, reforms to public sector pensions announced at Budget come into force today which will increase the annual tax-free pension allowance from £40,000 to £60,000 and remove the lifetime allowance charge. These changes will ensure doctors are not disincentivised from remaining in their NHS roles or taking on extra hours, meaning more expertise will be retained so we can continue treating patients and helping to cut waiting lists.

This is alongside wider changes to the NHS Pension Scheme to make retirement more flexible and support staff to remain in work for longer. These changes include allowing retired and partially retired staff to return to work or increase their working hours without having payments to their pension reduced or suspended, fixing the unintended impacts of inflation so senior clinicians are not taxed more than necessary and ensuring staff can continue to access the scheme when working in Primary Care Networks.

Around 22,000 senior NHS clinicians could exceed the previous £40,000 annual allowance in 2023/24 and around 31,000 clinicians have reached at least 75% of the £1.073 million lifetime allowance.

These changes will mean more senior clinicians will be incentivised to stay in the workforce and work as many hours as they want, helping boost the workforce as the NHS continues to tackle the backlogs.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

It’s crucial we have a sustainable workforce as we build a stronger, healthier NHS for the long term with patients at its centre.

We are making progress in training and recruiting a record number of staff – with over 48,700 more compared to a year ago and the NHS will soon publish a workforce plan focused on recruiting and retaining more staff.

Today’s pension changes will also help boost numbers of senior clinicians – so we can continue delivering high quality care for patients.

NHS England will publish a comprehensive workforce strategy this year to help recruit and retain more staff, with independently verified forecasts for the number of doctors, nurses and other professionals that will be needed in five, 10 and 15 years’ time.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 April 2023.

37,700 women have purchased Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescription pre-payment certificates (PPC) following the launch, saving over £1.13 million.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 April 2023.

Building on the People at the Heart of Care white paper, the government has set out plans to further digitise the social care sector and bolster the workforce.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 April 2023.

An independent review of integrated care systems (ICSs) has today published its final report.

• An independent review of integrated care systems (ICSs) has today published its final report
• ICSs were introduced across England in 2022, bringing together the NHS, local government, and other partners together to improve the health and care of the people who live and work in their area
• Chaired by former Health Secretary, Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt, the review considered how the oversight and governance of ICSs can best enable them to succeed

An independent review into integrated care systems today published its final report.

Integrated Care Systems bring together NHS, local government, social care providers, charities and other partners to deliver on four goals:

• Improving outcomes in population health and healthcare
• Tackling inequalities in outcomes, experience and access
• Enhancing productivity and value for money
• Helping the NHS support broader social and economic development

ICBs include representatives from local authorities, primary care and NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts.

The Health and Social Care Secretary commissioned Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt to lead the independent review in November 2022, asking her to consider how the oversight and governance of these systems can best enable them to succeed.

The review covered ICSs in England and the NHS targets and priorities for which ICBs are accountable, including those set out in the government’s mandate to NHS England.

Drawing on the insights of leaders from across the NHS, local government, social care providers, the charitable and the voluntary and social enterprise sector the review looked at how best to empower local leaders to focus on improving outcomes for their populations.

Organisations representing patients as well as experts in academia and think tanks also fed into the call for evidence which received more than 400 responses.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

Integrated care systems are an important part of the government’s plan to deliver more joined up and effective health and care services and to cut waiting times for patients, one of the Prime Minister’s key priorities for 2023.

Ministers will review recommendations of this report in due course.

Chair of the independent review of integrated care systems, Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt, said:

It was an enormous privilege to undertake this review, published today.

Integrated Care Systems represent the best opportunity in a generation for the urgently needed transformation that we need in our health and care system. Everyone wants them to succeed.

To fulfil their potential, however, we need not only to back our new structures, but also to change our culture. Everyone needs to change, and everyone needs to play their part.

My recommendations are intended to help the health and care system make those changes – and I hope that ministers, NHS England and others will feel able to take them forward.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said:

Integrated care systems have the power to change the way the NHS provides care for people while working alongside local government to ensure people live healthier lives.

We know health systems across the country are already taking significant action to do this and we are grateful to Patricia Hewitt for this important report – we will look in detail at the recommendations as we continue to support local areas to improve outcomes for patients.

Background

• The full report can be found here: The Hewitt Review: an independent review of integrated care systems – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Each ICS has an integrated care board (ICB), a statutory organisation responsible for developing a plan for meeting the health needs of the population, managing the NHS budget and arranging for the provision of health services in the ICS area. ICBs include representatives from local authorities, primary care and NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts.
• Each ICS also has an integrated care partnership (ICP) that brings together a broad alliance of partners concerned with improving the care, health and wellbeing of the population. The ICP is responsible for producing an integrated care strategy on how to meet the health and wellbeing needs of the population in the ICS area.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 April 2023.

From 1 April women in England will be able to access cheaper Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help with menopause symptoms.

• New HRT prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) will help around 400,000 women save hundreds of pounds annually, with costs reduced to less than £20 a year
• The certificate is available to get online or in some pharmacies, and can be used as many times as needed across the year

Women experiencing symptoms of the menopause can now access cheaper hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – the main treatment for menopause symptoms – helping to save hundreds of pounds in prescription charges.

The new HRT prepayment certificate (PPC) being rolled out today (1 April) will reduce prescription costs to just £19.30 per year and can be used against a list of eligible HRT items which includes patches, tablets and topical preparations. Patients can use the HRT PPC as many times as they need across the year.

Making HRT more accessible, by reducing the cost, is one of the ways the government is making menopause support more readily available to women, alongside working with suppliers to encourage and support HRT supply to meet growing demand.

Health and Social Secretary Steve Barclay said:

Menopause care is essential healthcare, and we are ensuring cost is no longer a barrier to women getting the medicines they need.

Better access to HRT will improve the lives of millions and gives women the freedom to take control of their symptoms.

We’ve rightly put women’s health at the top of the agenda through our Women’s Health Strategy – and continue to deliver on our commitments.

Minister for Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said:

Since we launched the Women’s Health Strategy last summer, we have made great progress in raising the profile of  health issues affecting women, including symptoms of the menopause.

Often its necessary to  use more than one type of HRT, and many women I have spoken to needed to try a few different types to get the right medication that works for them.

Everyone is different, and price should not be a barrier to treatment – reducing the price of a year’s worth of HRT to under £20 is a huge moment of levelling the playing field.

Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador for England said:

Many women do not realise that they are going through the menopause.

Helping to make them aware about the inevitability of becoming menopausal, is an important first step. The next step is improving awareness that HRT may be an option to help women manage this stage of their life course .

Making HRT easier to access will significantly improve the lives of many women who choose to use it, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Helen Simmons, a woman who is benefitting from the scheme:

As an enthusiastic supporter of any advance in menopause care I think the HRT PPC is a great start to helping women access good care and support.

I will definitely benefit from buying an HRT PPC as I currently have multiple HRT prescriptions every three months, with the majority being on the list that the PPC will cover.

The application for the certificate was easy to navigate online and I have already shared information about it on my social media pages.

HRT is a safe and effective treatment for most women going through menopause and perimenopause. It can help relieve menopause and perimenopause symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, joint pains, mood swings and vaginal dryness.

Taking HRT can also reduce the risk of hormone-related health problems including osteoporosis and heart disease.

Michael Brodie, chief executive of the NHS Business Services Authority, which delivers the HRT PPC service on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, said:

We are proud to be delivering the HRT PPC, which is a great addition to the range of NHS services we offer to help people manage their health costs. It is so important that those who rely on HRT have a more cost-effective way of accessing it.

The NHS England National Menopause Care Improvement Programme is working to improve clinical menopause care in England and reduce disparities in access to treatment. The NHS is also developing an education and training package on menopause for healthcare professionals.

The introduction of the HRT PPC delivers one of our year 1 priorities for the Women’s Health Strategy for England. Published last summer, the strategy sets out an ambitious new agenda for improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls, and to improve how the health and care system listens to women. Menopause was announced as a priority area within the strategy.

To ensure all women get the support they need, we recently announced a £25 million investment in women’s health hubs. Women’s health hubs provide integrated services for women in the community, enabling easier access to essential women’s health services such as menstrual health, contraception, pelvic pain and menopause care.

Menopause can impact all areas of a woman’s life, we recently appointed Helen Tomlinson as the government’s first Menopause Employment Champion – and have awarded grant funding to charities across England to help employers make changes to their workplace to support women’s reproductive health, which includes menopause.

How to use the new PPC:

• There are a few different ways to get the HRT PPC:
• Online on the NHS Business Service Authority website www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc
• In person at some pharmacies
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can use the textphone (or minicom) to contact the NHS Business Services Authority using the Text Relay service. Dial 18001 then the relevant phone number. This will be available from 25 May.
• The NHS Business Services Authority also offers a telephone translation service and can provider documents in large print or Braille on request.
• Patients can call 0300 330 2089 for help and support.
• To use your HRT PPC, ask your prescriber for your HRT items on a separate prescriptions to any other medicines you are prescribed (one prescription per item). This is to ensure the prescription can be processed correctly at the pharmacy.
• Take your prescription(s) and HRT PPC to a pharmacy and use it as many times as you need over 12 months.

To be aware before getting the HRT PPC:

• Check that you’re not already eligible for free NHS prescriptions using the eligibility checker on the NHS BSA website.
• Check that your medicine is covered by the HRT PPC. For a list of eligible HRT medication, visit: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-hormone-replacement-therapy-prescription-prepayment-certificate-hrt-ppc/medicines-covered-hrt-ppc
• Check whether a 3 or 12 month general PPC is more suitable for you. It covers all NHS prescriptions, not just HRT items, and may be more cost effective if you are prescribed other medicines as well as HRT. Visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc
• The HRT PPC will be valid for 12 months and there is no limit on the number of times the certificate is used before it expires. You don’t need to get it on 1 April – get it just before your next prescription to maximise your use of it over the year.