Written questions by Cooper.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July to Question 383 on Wheelchairs: Procurement, if he will take steps to solicit feedback from ICBs on the performance of AJM Healthcare in their areas.

The Department does not have specific plans to solicit feedback from integrated care boards (ICBs) on the performance of AJM Healthcare in their areas.Data collected through the National Wheelchair Data Collection is at ICB level, therefore we do not hold specific provider data. ICBs hold accountability and responsibility for the performance of contracted provision, and any issues arising within the contracting and commissioning of wheelchair services must be reviewed and addressed by the relevant ICB.

How many of the new hospitals in the New Hospital Programme have planning permission.

18 schemes in the New Hospital Programme have been granted full planning permission and six have achieved outline planning permission.As my rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced, and as subsequently confirmed in the Chancellor’s statement on 29 July 2024, there is a full and comprehensive ongoing review of the New Hospital Programme to provide a realistic and costed timetable for delivery. This will consider the urgent need to rebuild the seven hospitals built mostly using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete to protect staff and patient safety.The Secretary of State will consider the findings and update Parliament on the outcome of the review reporting back to patients, clinicians, and local communities on the next steps for the New Hospital Programme. We will provide a clear and realistic timetable for delivery of the Programme and agree the investment needed to get patients the care they deserve.

If he will take steps to reinstate the Covid Medicines Delivery Unit to provide access to antiviral drugs for people with covid-19 infections who are clinically vulnerable.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for arranging access to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) recommended treatments, therefore it is not driven by the Department. It is up to ICBs to determine the best model of access for their eligible population.Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 are now routinely available for National Health Service patients at highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19, in line with the approach to the rollout set out in the NICE’s guidance published last year.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a national patient register for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of establishing a national patient register for congenital disorders of glycosylation. There are no plans in England for a specific registry for this condition. Metabolic patients are included in the National Disease Registration Service, which is now part of NHS England.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of including a dedicated Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation section in the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of including a dedicated section on congenital disorders of glycosylation in the UK Rare Diseases Framework. The framework was published in 2021, and provides a national vision for how to improve the lives of those living with rare diseases by addressing shared challenges, and does not focus on specific rare conditions.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the provision of NHS wheelchair services by AJM Healthcare.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services. It is therefore the responsibility of ICBs to review and assess the quality of the provision of their commissioned National Health Service wheelchair services.As such, we do not currently have any plans to assess the adequacy of the provision of NHS wheelchair services provided by AJM Healthcare. NHS England is taking steps to support ICBs to make improvements and commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services.Data on waiting times for wheelchairs provided by AJM Healthcare is not held centrally. NHS England collects quarterly data from the ICBs through the National Wheelchair Data Collection, which is available through the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/national-wheelchair/This data supports the drive for improvements in wheelchair services, although it is ICB level data that does not include specific data on individual services. Individual service data would need to be requested from ICBs.

If he will visit West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust within his first 100 days to be briefed on plans for the construction of the new hospital at Watford General.

The National Health Service is broken, and the Government is determined to fix it. We recognise the need for investment in NHS estates across the country, including at Watford General Hospital. We will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve.My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded, and a realistic timetable for delivery. He will consider this carefully then report back to patients, clinicians, and local communities to confirm any possible revisions to the schedule.

With reference to the report entitled Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public, consultation response: analysis, published on 17 February 2023, if he will make it his policy to remove the five-year rule in relation to regulators being able to consider fitness to practise concerns.

The Government will consider this issue as part of wider policy work on regulations for healthcare professionals.

Whether he will retain the previous Government's commitment to release funds to West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for the purpose of commencing construction of the new hospital at Watford General before the end of 2026.

The National Health Service is broken, and the Government is determined to fix it. We recognise the need for investment in NHS estates across the country, including at Watford General Hospital. We will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve.My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded, and a realistic timetable for delivery. He will consider this carefully then report back to patients, clinicians, and local communities to confirm any possible revisions to the schedule.

How many disabled adults have been waiting for an NHS wheelchair from AJM Healthcare for longer than (a) 6 months, (b) 12 months, (c) two years and (d) three years.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services. It is therefore the responsibility of ICBs to review and assess the quality of the provision of their commissioned National Health Service wheelchair services.As such, we do not currently have any plans to assess the adequacy of the provision of NHS wheelchair services provided by AJM Healthcare. NHS England is taking steps to support ICBs to make improvements and commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services.Data on waiting times for wheelchairs provided by AJM Healthcare is not held centrally. NHS England collects quarterly data from the ICBs through the National Wheelchair Data Collection, which is available through the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/national-wheelchair/This data supports the drive for improvements in wheelchair services, although it is ICB level data that does not include specific data on individual services. Individual service data would need to be requested from ICBs.