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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Hilary Benn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training (a) Atos staff and (b) staff of his Department are given in mental health for the purposes of assessing whether claimants are fit for work.

    Mike Penning

    All healthcare professionals receive training in mental health issues as part of their induction training, are required to engage in a programme of continuing medical education which includes modules on mental health issues, and have access to Mental Function Champions.

    Atos training and guidance materials are regularly reviewed and external experts including the Royal College of Psychiatrists are involved in quality assurance.

    All healthcare professionals are monitored to ensure that their work meets the required quality standards. If a problem is identified, the healthcare professional may be required to undertake tailored training, which may involve training in mental health issues if required.

    DWP staff receive training in respect of decisions concerning medical or disability issues, including mental health. Specifically learning is provided on:

    • understanding the WCA descriptors
    • gathering evidence from the claimant and medical professionals
    • using the evidence to apply the descriptors and determine capability for work.

    Within the learning emphasis is placed on the on-going support available to Decision Makers from Atos Healthcare to interpret and understand medical information.

    In the Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment published in December 2013, Doctor Litchfield made a number of recommendations related to training in mental health which have been accepted subject to further scoping work.

  • Gareth Thomas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    Gareth Thomas – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Cabinet Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Sir John Holmes independent medal review began; when that review is due to be completed; whether any preliminary reports from that review (a) have been published and (b) are due to be published; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Francis Maude

    I refer the hon. Member to the my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s statements on 30 April 2012, (Official Report), Column Ref: 55WS and 17 July 2012 (Official Report) Column Ref 132WS.

    An announcement will be made once the full set of reviews is complete and has been approvedin the usual way.

  • Richard Burden – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will commission an assessment of the Australian Compulsory Third Party Insurance system, through which premiums are paid as part of vehicle registration for its potential applicability in the UK.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    No. It is sometimes suggested that a system of centrally funded third party insurance could be introduced in this country. However, insurers have said that a change to such a system would lead to a general increase in premiums, especially for the more careful driver.　 This is because under such a system a vehicle would have to be insured for all possible drivers, including those considered to be in high risk categories.

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment his Department has made of advances in the treatment of melanoma.

    Jane Ellison

    NHS England has published a service specification for adult skin cancer services which sets out what the National Health Service must have in place to offer high quality skin cancer treatment, care and support. Embedded in this is the best practice guidance on skin cancer published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

    Improving Outcomes for People with Skin Tumours, including Melanoma published by NICE in 2006 and updated in 2010, sets out best practice for clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment care and support of patients with skin cancer, including melanoma.

    NICE is also planning to develop a skin cancer quality standard. Quality Standards are important in setting out to patients, the public, commissioners and providers what a high quality service should look like and they play a key role in helping to drive up standards of care.

    Making significant progress in ensuring people have access to the right treatment when they need it, including drugs and treatments recommended by NICE, is an objective for NHS England with regard to cancer under the mandate.

  • Nigel Evans – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Nigel Evans – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Evans on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of passport applications made in the last 12 months have been processed within (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 working days.

    James Brokenshire

    Her Majesty’s Passport Office sets out expected turnaround periods for the
    handling of passport applications based on the type of application and the location from
    which the application has been made. Straighforward applications are expected
    to be dealt with within three weeks and non-straightforward applications within
    six weeks. A minimum period is set out for dealing with overseas applications
    on a country by country basis. Details of expected turnaround periods are set
    out at www.GOV.UK.

    In the period from June 2013 to May 2014, 44.9% of straightforward passport
    applications were processed within 5 working days, 90.6% within 10 working days
    and 99.2% within 15 working days.

    In the same period, 24.3% of non straightforward passport applications were
    processed within 5 working days, 59.8% within 10 working days and 79.6% within
    15 working days.

  • Barry Sheerman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Barry Sheerman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to better retain staff in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

    Norman Lamb

    The Government’s refreshed mandate to Health Education England (HEE), published on 1 May 2014, set out the requirements of HEE regarding recruitment, training and retention for the National Health Service workforce, including staff providing children and adolescent mental health services. Underpinning the HEE mandate is a Government investment of nearly £5 billion for 2014-15.

  • Elfyn Llwyd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Elfyn Llwyd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Elfyn Llwyd on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been convicted under (a) section 2A and (b) section 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 since November 2012.

    Jeremy Wright

    I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

    The most recent figures showing the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty and sentenced to immediate custody for offences under Sections 2A and 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, in England and Wales, from 2012 to 2013 (the latest data available), can be viewed in the table.

  • Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many firms other than Wates submitted bids for the construction contract for a secure college.

    Jeremy Wright

    A competition has taken place under the Ministry of Justice’s Strategic Alliance Agreement Framework. Tenders were submitted by four bidders, Carillion, Interserve, Lend Lease and Wates.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Sadiq Khan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sadiq Khan on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much has been spent on the Public Defence Service in each month of 2014.

    Mr Shailesh Vara

    Jan

    Feb

    Mar

    Apr

    Total Monthly Expenditure

    £174,484

    £229,646

    £362,060

    £268,849

    The rise in cost over the periods January to April is due to the recruitment of advocates in readiness for the PDS Advocacy service, and the inclusion of accruals in March for costs relating to IT enhancements and facilities management.

  • Lord Walton of Detchant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Lord Walton of Detchant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Walton of Detchant on 2014-06-10.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure access to innovative medicines in order to improve the management of venous thromboembolism in the National Health Service.

    Earl Howe

    The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a number of treatments for the prevention of venous thromboembolism. National Health Service commissioners are legally required by regulations to fund those treatments recommended by NICE in its technology appraisal guidance.

    We understand that NHS England has established an Innovation Programme which ensures the commissioning system promotes and supports participation of the NHS in research, translating scientific developments into benefits for patients.