🤝 Oral Answers to Questions

• Parkinson’s Disease Care in Newcastle-under-Lyme:
  • Adam Jogee raised concerns about access to patient care for Parkinson’s disease in his constituency. The Minister, Ashley Dalton, acknowledged the issue and highlighted the government’s plan to increase appointments through the elective reform plan and the Getting It Right First Time programme.
• Support for Parkinson’s Campaigners:
  • Adam Jogee requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss the merits of adding Parkinson’s to the medical exemption list. The Minister agreed to meet with Jogee and his constituent Julie Hibbs to discuss support for Parkinson’s patients.
• Early Detection of Parkinson’s:
  • Shockat Adam discussed a potential breakthrough in early Parkinson’s detection through retinal scans. The Minister supported integrating such innovations into the NHS’s community care strategy.
• Mental Health Services Reform:
  • Munira Wilson inquired about improvements in mental health services. Stephen Kinnock outlined plans to recruit 8,500 mental health workers, place specialists in schools, and modernize the Mental Health Act to address service deficiencies.
• Capacity in Mental Health Services:
  • Concerns were raised about the capacity of mental health services, particularly relating to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The Minister emphasized the government’s neutral stance on the bill and commitment to operational feasibility.
• Innovative Mental Health Care Models:
  • Jen Craft praised the integrated care model at Thurrock community hospital and asked if it could be a blueprint for national reform. The Minister agreed to visit and explore how its model could inform broader changes.
• Suicide Prevention in Mental Health:
  • Jeremy Hunt highlighted successful efforts by Mersey Care NHS foundation trust in reducing inpatient suicides and asked about reinstating similar objectives. The Minister showed interest in exploring these strategies further.
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health:
  • Concerns were raised about rationing access to child and adolescent mental health services. The Minister acknowledged the challenges and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing specialists in schools.
• Mental Health Budget and Investment:
  • Layla Moran stressed the need for a continued mental health investment standard. The Minister confirmed the government’s commitment to this standard and to improving service delivery.
• Support for NHS Frontline Staff:
  • Chris Vince called attention to the mental health of NHS frontline workers. The Minister acknowledged the pressures and mentioned a forthcoming workforce plan to address this issue.
• Global Health and Immunization Leadership:
  • Monica Harding questioned the UK’s role in global health and immunization. Wes Streeting affirmed the UK’s commitment to global health security and collaboration with organizations like Gavi.
• Antimicrobial Resistance:
  • Concerns were raised about the rise of antimicrobial-resistant infections both in the UK and globally. The Secretary of State praised ongoing efforts led by Dame Sally Davies and stressed the importance of maintaining international focus on this issue.
• Hinchingbrooke Hospital Repairs:
  • Ben Obese-Jecty sought assurances about the repair of Hinchingbrooke Hospital due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) issues. Karin Smyth confirmed the hospital’s inclusion in the new hospital program and ongoing safety works.
• Elective Care Waiting Times:
  • Ellie Chowns highlighted long waits for elective care, questioning the government’s strategy involving private sector use. Wes Streeting defended the use of the private sector to reduce waiting times, emphasizing investment in the NHS.
• Hospice Funding and Support:
  • Several MPs raised concerns about funding for hospices, with the Minister announcing a £100 million capital boost and discussing long-term sustainability plans.
• Health Inequalities:
  • Debbie Abrahams emphasized the need to tackle health inequalities. Ashley Dalton shared the government’s commitment and measures planned for the 10-year health plan.
• Vasa Praevia Screening in Antenatal Care:
  • Connor Naismith pushed for vasa praevia screening in antenatal care. Karin Smyth explained that evidence did not support it currently but acknowledged the issue’s importance, agreeing to meet with Naismith and his constituent.
• Funding for Stepping Hill Hospital:
  • Lisa Smart inquired about funding for repairs at Stepping Hill Hospital. Karin Smyth detailed existing funding and the government’s broader plan to address hospital infrastructure.
• Special Educational Needs Assessments:
  • Charlotte Cane raised concerns about access to special educational needs assessments. The Minister discussed new funding initiatives and taskforces to improve support systems.
• Dementia Diagnosis Rates:
  • Joe Robertson questioned the commitment to meeting dementia diagnosis targets. The Secretary of State reaffirmed the goal and criticized the performance of the previous government.
• Nursing Career Progression:
  • Sojan Joseph discussed inequalities in nursing career progression. Karin Smyth highlighted the importance of making the NHS an attractive workplace for nurses and ongoing engagement with unions.
• Reducing Waiting Lists in Devolved Administrations:
  • Robin Swann appreciated the UK government’s efforts to work with devolved administrations to reduce waiting lists. Wes Streeting emphasized collaboration across the UK and maximizing health budgets.
• National HIV Testing Week:
  • The Secretary of State marked National HIV Testing Week and highlighted government plans to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 through a new action plan.
• Eating Disorders and Community Treatment:
  • Edward Argar emphasized the need for broader access to eating disorder treatment. The Secretary of State acknowledged the issue and welcomed recommendations from Beat.
• Osteoporosis and Fracture Liaison Services:
  • Argar also highlighted the need for expanded access to fracture liaison services for osteoporosis. The Secretary of State confirmed government commitment to rolling these services out by 2030.
• Rural Ambulance Services:
  • Joe Morris raised concerns about rural ambulance service coverage. Karin Smyth agreed to meet him to discuss this issue.
• Oral Health and Dental Check-ups for Children:
  • Helen Morgan called for an emergency scheme for dental check-ups for children. Wes Streeting confirmed ongoing efforts to increase urgent dentistry appointments and reform NHS dentistry.
• HIV Testing Beyond National Week:
  • Matthew Patrick sought plans for extended HIV testing. Ashley Dalton confirmed continued investment and the development of a new HIV action plan to increase testing.
• Metastatic Breast Cancer:
  • Christine Jardine raised awareness about metastatic breast cancer, leading to the Secretary of State discussing improved diagnostics and treatment in the cancer strategy.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy Shortages:
  • Lee Pitcher highlighted issues with HRT medication shortages. Karin Smyth assured ongoing efforts to resolve supply issues.
• Infrastructure Funding for New Hospitals:
  • Gagan Mohindra questioned why infrastructure funding was not prioritized for new hospitals. Wes Streeting challenged the Conservative government’s past inaction.
• Urgent Treatment Centre Staffing:
  • Peter Lamb discussed the temporary overnight closure of Crawley’s urgent treatment centre. Karin Smyth confirmed the government’s commitment to these centres.
• Parkinson’s Charity Across UK Nations:
  • Jim Shannon suggested the need for a Parkinson’s charity across the UK nations. Wes Streeting agreed on the importance of cross-border cooperation in health issues.
• NHS Dentistry Contract and Funding:
  • Catherine Atkinson and others raised concerns about NHS dentistry. Stephen Kinnock assured contract uplifts and plans to make NHS dentistry more attractive.
• GP Funding and Practices:
  • John Whittingdale raised issues with GP funding and workload. Stephen Kinnock discussed ongoing negotiations for future contracts and investment in primary care.
• Medical Cannabis Trial:
  • Tonia Antoniazzi sought assurances on the progress of a medical cannabis trial. Karin Smyth confirmed investment and progress, agreeing to meet to update on developments.
• Mental Health Hubs and Acute Services:
  • Josh MacAlister discussed the balance between community mental health hubs and acute services. Stephen Kinnock explained the role of integrated care boards and the government’s overall plan.
• Digital Therapies for Insomnia:
  • Robbie Moore highlighted the need for digital CBT for insomnia. Wes Streeting recognized the importance of digital health solutions in the government’s future health plan.
• Community Health Services Funding:
  • Daniel Francis inquired about funding for community health services. Stephen Kinnock confirmed interest in discussing specific local plans and emphasized community care in future strategies.
• Relocation of Coronary Services:
  • Steve Darling raised concerns about moving coronary services from Torbay to Exeter. Wes Streeting encouraged local discussions but remained open to further representations.

The level of disagreement during the session was relatively low but noticeable in certain exchanges. Here are some key examples and an analysis of the disagreements:

1. Mental Health Services and Waiting Times:
   • Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD) queried the capacity of mental health services in relation to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Stephen Kinnock’s response avoided a direct answer about capacity and focused on the government’s stance on the bill, indicating a subtle disagreement on priorities and readiness of mental health services.
2. Mental Health Targets:
   • Helen Morgan (North Shropshire) (LD) challenged the Secretary of State on the absence of mental health targets in the new NHS mandate. Wes Streeting’s response highlighted a disagreement on the effectiveness of targets, stating that ‘too many targets’ can lead to perverse outcomes, which contrasts with Morgan’s push for reinstatement of specific targets.
3. Elective Care Waiting Times:
   • Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) (Green) expressed concerns about long waiting times and questioned the government’s long-term plans for privatisation, showing disagreement with the government’s current approach. Wes Streeting responded by defending the use of private sector capacity and critiquing the opposition’s stance, indicating a disagreement on the role of private sector involvement.
4. Dementia Diagnosis Rates:
   • Joe Robertson (Isle of Wight East) (Con) questioned the absence of a dementia diagnosis target in NHS England’s priorities, hinting at a disagreement over prioritisation. Wes Streeting’s response justified the government’s approach by highlighting the inefficacy of previous targets under the conservative government, highlighting a disagreement in what constitutes effective policy.
5. Waiting Lists in Devolved Administrations:
   • Robin Swann (South Antrim) (UUP) asked about steps to reduce waiting lists in devolved regions and brought up a previous declined offer for cross-border treatment. Wes Streeting’s response to potentially review this offer shows a willingness to work across regions but also indicates disagreement over earlier political stances by devolved regions.

While these disagreements are evident, they are mostly centered around policy implementation, priorities, and the effectiveness of different strategies. The tone of the exchanges is largely constructive and focused on addressing health care issues, rather than outright adversarial confrontations. This contributes to the moderate rating of 2 out of 5 for disagreement.