Every parliamentary written question tabled by Helen Maguire this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 321–340 of 363 · Department of Health and Social Care
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of introducing fixed recoverable costs in lower-value clinical negligence cases on patients’ access to legal expertise.
Currently, the Government is considering the way forward on a wide range of matters relating to clinical negligence reform, and we will announce our position in due course.
How much of the Claimant’s legal costs paid by the NHS in all clinical negligence claims under £25,000 in 2023-24 were expert fees.
NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the national Health Service in England. The following table shows the total legal costs paid for claimants due to clinical negligence claims closed in the financial year 2023/24, where damages were paid up to £25,000:Damages trancheClaimant legal costs paid by NHSR£1 to £1,500£2,422,432£1,501 to £25,000£94,364,395Total£96,786,827Claims closed in 2023/24 will often have been settled in previous years, as costs can take some time to finalise after an agreement on damages. NHSR does not record a breakdown of claimant legal costs between profit costs and disbursements in its claims management system. It also does not record a breakdown for expert fees.
What data is held by NHS Resolution on the breakdown of Claimant costs in clinical negligence claims under £25,000.
NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the national Health Service in England. The following table shows the total legal costs paid for claimants due to clinical negligence claims closed in the financial year 2023/24, where damages were paid up to £25,000:Damages trancheClaimant legal costs paid by NHSR£1 to £1,500£2,422,432£1,501 to £25,000£94,364,395Total£96,786,827Claims closed in 2023/24 will often have been settled in previous years, as costs can take some time to finalise after an agreement on damages. NHSR does not record a breakdown of claimant legal costs between profit costs and disbursements in its claims management system. It also does not record a breakdown for expert fees.
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of his Department's implementation of the recommendations on stronger clinical leadership and management roles outlined in the paper entitled High Quality Care For All: NHS Next Stage Review Final Report, published in June 2008.
There are no current plans to assess implementation of the 2008 High Quality Care for All report.The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the National Health Service has strong and effective leadership in place. As Lord Darzi stated in his recent independent report on the NHS in 2024, “the NHS has many strong and capable leaders”, although we know there is more work to do to strengthen NHS leadership. That is why there is a significant programme of work underway to improve NHS management and leadership, including our commitment to establish an NHS College of Executive and Clinical Leadership and to introduce professional standards for, and regulation of, NHS managers. This builds on a wider programme of work being led by NHS England to develop standards, a code of practice, and a curriculum for NHS managers and leaders.
What steps he is taking improve training pathways for medical professionals.
In February this year, NHS England launched an extensive engagement and listening exercise to help shape the future of postgraduate medical training. The review will hear about best practice, listen to concerns, including issues around training pathways and the capacity, quality, and inclusivity of training, and will explore ideas and thoughts about how postgraduate medical training could evolve for the future. An engagement exercise will run through to June this year, with findings reported in the summer.To reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future, we have launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s five long-term missions. Ensuring we have the right people, in the right places, with the right skills will be central to this vision. We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again.
If he will make an estimate of the number of qualified medical professionals unable to progress in their training pathways in the most recent period for which figures are available.
We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it. It is not possible, from the data held, to consistently and accurately identify unique applicants, as many applicants will apply to more than one specialty training pathway We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.Post graduate medical training consists of several different phases of training courses, depending on the speciality choices a doctor makes. After graduating, doctors will typically do a two year foundation programme, followed by speciality training. Speciality training can be a single “run through” programme or can be core training followed by competitive entry into higher speciality training. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/training-doctorIn 2024, there were 59,698 total applications across all medical specialty training pathways in the United Kingdom, for the 12,743 speciality training posts that were available. This data covers all round one and round two specialty training pathway programmes. The Department does not hold information on the number of individual, or unique, applicants that this comprises of in order to make and estimate on the specific progression of medical professionals. The timing of progression, from foundation years training to medical specialty training, will depend on a wide variety of factors, including personal preferences for future specialty training programmes, development of current strengths and skills, personal factors influencing the timing of progression, and the NHS’s demand for specialty training roles.Once medical professionals have entered a training pathway, progress outcomes within that pathway are collected and reported by the General Medical Council in its Annual Review of Competency Progression reports. This information is available at the following link:https://edt.gmc-uk.org/progression-reports/arcp
What steps his Department is is taking to help tackle delays in the transfer of care.
It is a priority for the Department to tackle delays in the transfer of care, and to ensure that people receive the care that they need.On 30 January 2025, the Government published a revised policy framework for the £9 billion Better Care Fund. The new BCF Policy Framework for the 2025-2026 financial year supports local areas to use pooled funding in way that delivers greater impact for those receiving integrated health and social care.Under the new framework, local authorities and National Health Service integrated care boards are accountable for providing timely and joined-up support for people with more complex health and care needs, and for achieving more timely and effective discharge from acute, community, and mental health hospital settings.
What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of polluted rivers on public health.
The Department is currently undertaking work to assess the human health impacts associated with recreational activities in inland waterways such as rivers.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the timeline for the New Hospital Programme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that programme meets revised completion targets.
The review of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) has provided a credible plan and timeline to deliver the schemes, as set out in the NHP Plan for Implementation published in January 2025 on the GOV.UK website, and which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcomeWe are working at pace to ensure that the seven hospitals built wholly or primarily from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the NHP will be replaced as quickly as possible, to protect patient and staff safety.The NHP continues to work with trusts in the programme to progress their schemes in line with the timelines set out in the published Plan for Implementation.
What steps he is taking to prevent community pharmacies from operating at a financial loss when dispensing medicines for which the purchase price exceeds the NHS drug tariff reimbursement rate.
We have now concluded the consultation on funding for 2024/25 and 2025/26, and have agreed with Community Pharmacy England to increase the community pharmacy contractual framework to £3.073 billion. This deal represents the largest uplift in funding of any part of the National Health Service, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26.There are two arrangements in place to avoid pharmacy contractors dispensing at a loss and to ensure that overall, they are paid enough as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) funding. These are the medicine margin and the concessionary price arrangements.The community pharmacy reimbursement arrangements include an amount of medicines margin, the difference between the reimbursement price and the price the pharmacy was charged by the supplier, that pharmacies are allowed to retain as part of the CPCF funding. The Department assesses the medicine margin through a quarterly medicine margin survey, which ensures that overall, pharmacies are paid more than what it cost them to purchase medicines.The concessionary prices are granted to ensure that pharmacy contractors are fairly reimbursed for any prescriptions dispensed during that given month, where they may suddenly face challenges in obtaining stock at the Drug Tariff reimbursement price. In addition, there is a ‘retrospective top-up payment for concessionary prices’, which provides an additional payment to contractors when the margin survey indicates that despite a concessionary price, there was an under payment.
What his Department's timetable is for publishing the results of the consultation entitled Pharmacy supervision, which closed on 29 February 2024.
The Government is committed to publishing the response to the public consultation entitled Pharmacy Supervision, and to bringing forward the associated legislation later this year.
If he will make an estimate of the current number of hospital beds occupied by patients who are medically fit for discharge.
Data collections that monitor the number of patients who are medically fit for discharge but who are not discharged are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/discharge-delays/acute-discharge-situation-report/
What processes his Department undertook in its impact assessment into proposals for the Care Quality Commission to regulate sporting and cultural events; and if he will publish that work.
The Manchester Arena Inquiry Volume Two report recommended that the Government make changes to the law to enable the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to regulate event healthcare at sporting venues and gymnasiums and at temporary sporting and cultural events, to ensure public safety.The Government has considered the impacts of this change, and a public consultation allowed stakeholders to provide information on the potential effects. A de minimis impact assessment was developed, which looked at a range of options and considered the impact on the event sector and event healthcare providers. The assessment includes costs, benefits, and risks.An updated de minimis assessment will be published before the Statutory Instrument is laid before Parliament. This will outline the direct cost to business. The Government and the CQC continue to engage with stakeholders within the health, sports, and events sector regarding the changes in the regulations and their impact.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of implementing nurse-led mobile PSA blood testing clinics in deprived communities on (a) costs to and (b) staff productivity in the NHS.
Tackling health inequalities is a priority for the Government. Men aged 50 years old or over can ask their general practitioner for a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, even if they do not have symptoms. This applies to anyone aged 50 years old or over in any part of England.Screening for prostate cancer is currently not recommended in the United Kingdom. This is because of the inaccuracy of the current best test. Whilst it is recognised that the PSA test can be a valuable diagnostic tool in certain contexts, such as for men who present with symptoms, its limitations mean it is not currently recommended for population-level screening.We are finding the best way to test for prostate cancer, which is why we are investing £16 million towards the Prostate Cancer UK led TRANSFORM screening trial, which is seeking to find better ways of catching prostate cancer in men.The UK National Screening Committee, an independent scientific committee which advises ministers on screening, is also currently reviewing the evidence for both population wide screening and targeted prostate cancer screening. If the UK National Screening Committee makes a positive recommendation regarding screening for prostate cancer, an impact assessment will be produced using the HM Treasury Green Book methodology, which considers wider social and economic impacts.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of providing mobile PSA blood testing clinics in deprived communities on rates of early prostate cancer detection.
Tackling health inequalities is a priority for the Government. Men aged 50 years old or over can ask their general practitioner for a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, even if they do not have symptoms. This applies to anyone aged 50 years old or over in any part of England.Screening for prostate cancer is currently not recommended in the United Kingdom. This is because of the inaccuracy of the current best test. Whilst it is recognised that the PSA test can be a valuable diagnostic tool in certain contexts, such as for men who present with symptoms, its limitations mean it is not currently recommended for population-level screening.We are finding the best way to test for prostate cancer, which is why we are investing £16 million towards the Prostate Cancer UK led TRANSFORM screening trial, which is seeking to find better ways of catching prostate cancer in men.The UK National Screening Committee, an independent scientific committee which advises ministers on screening, is also currently reviewing the evidence for both population wide screening and targeted prostate cancer screening. If the UK National Screening Committee makes a positive recommendation regarding screening for prostate cancer, an impact assessment will be produced using the HM Treasury Green Book methodology, which considers wider social and economic impacts.
What steps his Department is taking to help increase research into the causes of prostate cancer in men of sub-Saharan African ancestry.
The Department funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on prostate cancer. NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.These investments are pivotal towards efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes. The TRANSFORM trial is an important example of this. On 19 November 2023, the Government and Prostate Cancer UK announced the £42 million TRANSFORM screening trial to find the best way to screen men for prostate cancer, to find it before it becomes advanced and harder to treat.Prostate Cancer UK is leading the development of the trial with the Government contributing £16 million through the Department. One of the aims of the trial is to address some of the inequalities that exist in prostate cancer diagnosis today. For example, one in four black men will develop prostate cancer, double the risk of other men, and often at a younger age. The trial will ensure that at least 10% of the men who are invited to participate in the trial are black.The NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health, including prostate cancer.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the number of anaesthetists on maternity care.
There has been no such assessment. Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual National Health Service employers. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.We are committed to training the staff we need, including anaesthetists and all other medical specialities, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.We have launched the 10-Year Health Plan which will set out a bold agenda to reform and repair the NHS. A central part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again.
What steps he is taking to reduce the late diagnosis of (a) rare and (b) less common cancers.
Improving early diagnosis rates is a key priority for the Government for all cancer types, including rare and less common cancers. We are improving public awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, streamlining referral routes, and increasing the availability of diagnostic capacity through the roll-out of more community diagnostic centres.NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms as well as encouraging ‘body awareness’ to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an earlier point.We are also committed to improving waiting times for cancer treatment, so that people with cancer, including rarer cancers, can get access to the care they need more quickly. The National Health Service has delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, as the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and faster treatment.Finally, the National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology. The plan will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care, to improve the experiences and outcomes for people with cancer, including rare and less common cancers.
If he will take steps to increase the level of research into (a) multi-cancer early detection tests and (b) other innovative cancer screening methods.
Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), invests over £1.6 billion per year in health research. In 2023/24, the NIHR invested £133 million on cancer research.Our investment plays a crucial role in underpinning the research funded by our partners. Examples of research into multi-cancer early detection tests currently funded by the NIHR in partnership with the Offices for Life Sciences are miONCO-Dx, a novel test which aims to detect 12 of the most lethal and common cancers at an early stage, and Enlighten, which explores a new means of detecting cancerous cells by analysing protein traces in blood samples. The NIHR also co-funds Cancer Data Driven Detection (CD3), a major new national research initiative in partnership with Cancer Research UK, which uses data to revolutionise our understanding of individual cancer risk, and to allow early detection of cancers. On 4 February 2025, the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health trial is backed by £11 million of Government support via the NIHR. The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health, including early detection and innovative cancer screening methods.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a target for at least 75% of children and young people to be (a) diagnosed and (b) have cancer ruled out within 10 days of their first symptom presentation to a clinician.
We are committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster so that more patients survive, including children and young people. The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will outline our approach to delivering this.In the meantime, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has set out detailed guidance for general practitioners on the symptoms of cancer in children and young people, recommending referral within 48 hours for those presenting with a range of potential cancer symptoms.The Department is also taking steps to improve waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment across all cancer patient groups, including children and young people. This will be achieved by delivering an extra 40,000 scans, appointments, and operations each week to ensure that patients are seen and treated as quickly as possible.To further support timely investigation after referral, we are working with the NHS to maximise the pace of the roll-out of additional diagnostic capacity, delivering the final year of the three-year investment plan for establishing community diagnostic centres, with capacity prioritised for cancer.On 4 February 2025, the Department relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce. The taskforce will explore a range of issues, including early detection and diagnosis, in order to identify areas of improvement for this patient group.