The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 980 tabled · 929 answered

Written questions by Evans.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Evans this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (980)Department of Health and Social Care (455)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (86)Department for Education (83)Department for Transport (72)Treasury (55)Department for Work and Pensions (42)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (41)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (28)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (27)Home Office (25)Ministry of Defence (20)Ministry of Justice (15)

Showing 441455 of 455 · Department of Health and Social Care

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9 Jan 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

How many and what proportion of NHS staff have been vaccinated for flu (a) this year and (b) at this stage in the flu cycle in each of the last four years.

Reply

The UK Health Security Agency publishes monthly official statistics on flu vaccine coverage for frontline healthcare workers. The second monthly report of the 2024 to 2025 season was published on 19 December 2024, covering the period from 1 September to 30 November 2024, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-and-covid-19-vaccine-uptake-in-frontline-healthcare-workers-monthly-data-2024-to-2025Data for the previous seasons is also available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/vaccine-uptake#seasonal-flu-vaccine-uptake:-figuresThe following table shows the percentage of seasonal flu vaccine uptake, the survey response rate, and the number of vaccinated people within those who answered the survey, rounded to the nearest hundred, from 2020/21 to 2024/25: 2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/21Percentage uptake32.2%38.5%41.8%52.5%70.6%Survey response rate79%79.8%90.4%82.3%96.1%Number of vaccinated survey responders333,100386,700461,000486,000750,800Notes:the data on the number of vaccinated survey responders is not extrapolated to represent a 100% response rate, as the number of vaccinated people is based on only those who have responded to the survey.the data for 2024/25 is not comparable to previous seasons due to this year’s programme starting four weeks later than previous seasons.the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

8 Jan 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What steps his Department is taking to increase the level of flu vaccine uptake.

Reply

The Department works closely with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu vaccine. This is supported by a national Get Winter Strong marketing campaign to encourage uptake of the flu vaccine.For the autumn 2024 flu vaccination programme, NHS England has provided a range of resources and tools to support the vaccination offer to frontline health and social care workers. For example, National Health Service payslips were used to encourage eligible colleagues to get their vaccines, as were NHS social media channels, which included videos from spokespeople, including the Chief Nursing Officer for England, and resources and messages have been shared through established frontline health and care worker networks, including unions and representative bodies.There is also a comprehensive range of information leaflets, promotional materials, and other resources to inform members of the public and health care professionals. This includes leaflets translated into over 30 languages, and available in easy read and large print formats, braille, and British Sign Language. These are available at the following link: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.htmlIn addition, improved reporting via NHS England’s Federated Data Platform is providing more detailed regional and integrated care board (ICB) level uptake intelligence than has been possible in previous campaigns. ICBs are being encouraged to work with the highest performing trusts in their region to share best practice and lessons learned, and to provide additional support for those providers where uptake is low. The UKHSA publishes weekly data on flu vaccine uptake in eligible groups, which is available at the following link:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-season The following table shows the latest data covering vaccination from 2021/22 up to 5 January 2025, as a percentage and broken down by patient group, and the comparative periods in previous years: Patient group2024/252023/242022/232021/2265-year-olds and over73.8%77.1%78.7%82.5%At risk38.6%40.4%46.7%53.0%Pregnant women33.8%31.0%33.6%39.8%Two-year-olds40.9%43.2%40.4%48.7%Three-year-olds42.5%43.5%42.9%50.7%The data for school aged children and health care worker vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available, respectively, at the following two links: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-uptake-in-children-of-school-age-monthly-data-2024-to-2025 www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-and-covid-19-vaccine-uptake-in-frontline-healthcare-workers-monthly-data-2024-to-2025The following table summarises the latest data on vaccination from 2021/22 up to 30 November 2024, for children in primary and secondary school and for health care workers:Cohort2024/252023/242022/232021/22Primary school49.1%48.1%48.0%39.5%Secondary school32.6%29.5%N/A26.2%Health care workers32.2%38.5%41.8%52.5% Adult social care setting vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monthly-statistics-for-adult-social-care-england#latest-reportThis year there was less time to complete vaccinations as the campaign for all adults, apart from pregnant women, started in early October 2024 rather than in September, as in previous years. This was based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, that it is better to vaccinate closer to when flu circulates because of waning vaccine effectiveness.It should be noted that for most eligible groups, flu vaccination reached the highest levels of uptake ever achieved in the programme during the pandemic, but has dropped back since then in adults.

8 Jan 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the level of uptake for the flu vaccine in each of the last four years for which data is available.

Reply

The Department works closely with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu vaccine. This is supported by a national Get Winter Strong marketing campaign to encourage uptake of the flu vaccine.For the autumn 2024 flu vaccination programme, NHS England has provided a range of resources and tools to support the vaccination offer to frontline health and social care workers. For example, National Health Service payslips were used to encourage eligible colleagues to get their vaccines, as were NHS social media channels, which included videos from spokespeople, including the Chief Nursing Officer for England, and resources and messages have been shared through established frontline health and care worker networks, including unions and representative bodies.There is also a comprehensive range of information leaflets, promotional materials, and other resources to inform members of the public and health care professionals. This includes leaflets translated into over 30 languages, and available in easy read and large print formats, braille, and British Sign Language. These are available at the following link: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.htmlIn addition, improved reporting via NHS England’s Federated Data Platform is providing more detailed regional and integrated care board (ICB) level uptake intelligence than has been possible in previous campaigns. ICBs are being encouraged to work with the highest performing trusts in their region to share best practice and lessons learned, and to provide additional support for those providers where uptake is low. The UKHSA publishes weekly data on flu vaccine uptake in eligible groups, which is available at the following link:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-season The following table shows the latest data covering vaccination from 2021/22 up to 5 January 2025, as a percentage and broken down by patient group, and the comparative periods in previous years: Patient group2024/252023/242022/232021/2265-year-olds and over73.8%77.1%78.7%82.5%At risk38.6%40.4%46.7%53.0%Pregnant women33.8%31.0%33.6%39.8%Two-year-olds40.9%43.2%40.4%48.7%Three-year-olds42.5%43.5%42.9%50.7%The data for school aged children and health care worker vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available, respectively, at the following two links: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-uptake-in-children-of-school-age-monthly-data-2024-to-2025 www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-and-covid-19-vaccine-uptake-in-frontline-healthcare-workers-monthly-data-2024-to-2025The following table summarises the latest data on vaccination from 2021/22 up to 30 November 2024, for children in primary and secondary school and for health care workers:Cohort2024/252023/242022/232021/22Primary school49.1%48.1%48.0%39.5%Secondary school32.6%29.5%N/A26.2%Health care workers32.2%38.5%41.8%52.5% Adult social care setting vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monthly-statistics-for-adult-social-care-england#latest-reportThis year there was less time to complete vaccinations as the campaign for all adults, apart from pregnant women, started in early October 2024 rather than in September, as in previous years. This was based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, that it is better to vaccinate closer to when flu circulates because of waning vaccine effectiveness.It should be noted that for most eligible groups, flu vaccination reached the highest levels of uptake ever achieved in the programme during the pandemic, but has dropped back since then in adults.

8 Jan 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the levels of the uptake of the flu vaccine.

Reply

The Department works closely with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu vaccine. This is supported by a national Get Winter Strong marketing campaign to encourage uptake of the flu vaccine.For the autumn 2024 flu vaccination programme, NHS England has provided a range of resources and tools to support the vaccination offer to frontline health and social care workers. For example, National Health Service payslips were used to encourage eligible colleagues to get their vaccines, as were NHS social media channels, which included videos from spokespeople, including the Chief Nursing Officer for England, and resources and messages have been shared through established frontline health and care worker networks, including unions and representative bodies.There is also a comprehensive range of information leaflets, promotional materials, and other resources to inform members of the public and health care professionals. This includes leaflets translated into over 30 languages, and available in easy read and large print formats, braille, and British Sign Language. These are available at the following link: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.htmlIn addition, improved reporting via NHS England’s Federated Data Platform is providing more detailed regional and integrated care board (ICB) level uptake intelligence than has been possible in previous campaigns. ICBs are being encouraged to work with the highest performing trusts in their region to share best practice and lessons learned, and to provide additional support for those providers where uptake is low. The UKHSA publishes weekly data on flu vaccine uptake in eligible groups, which is available at the following link:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-season The following table shows the latest data covering vaccination from 2021/22 up to 5 January 2025, as a percentage and broken down by patient group, and the comparative periods in previous years: Patient group2024/252023/242022/232021/2265-year-olds and over73.8%77.1%78.7%82.5%At risk38.6%40.4%46.7%53.0%Pregnant women33.8%31.0%33.6%39.8%Two-year-olds40.9%43.2%40.4%48.7%Three-year-olds42.5%43.5%42.9%50.7%The data for school aged children and health care worker vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available, respectively, at the following two links: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-uptake-in-children-of-school-age-monthly-data-2024-to-2025 www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-and-covid-19-vaccine-uptake-in-frontline-healthcare-workers-monthly-data-2024-to-2025The following table summarises the latest data on vaccination from 2021/22 up to 30 November 2024, for children in primary and secondary school and for health care workers:Cohort2024/252023/242022/232021/22Primary school49.1%48.1%48.0%39.5%Secondary school32.6%29.5%N/A26.2%Health care workers32.2%38.5%41.8%52.5% Adult social care setting vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monthly-statistics-for-adult-social-care-england#latest-reportThis year there was less time to complete vaccinations as the campaign for all adults, apart from pregnant women, started in early October 2024 rather than in September, as in previous years. This was based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, that it is better to vaccinate closer to when flu circulates because of waning vaccine effectiveness.It should be noted that for most eligible groups, flu vaccination reached the highest levels of uptake ever achieved in the programme during the pandemic, but has dropped back since then in adults.

8 Jan 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

Whether he has had recent discussions with NHS England on flu vaccine uptake among staff working in (a) the NHS and (b) social care settings.

Reply

The Department works closely with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu vaccine. This is supported by a national Get Winter Strong marketing campaign to encourage uptake of the flu vaccine.For the autumn 2024 flu vaccination programme, NHS England has provided a range of resources and tools to support the vaccination offer to frontline health and social care workers. For example, National Health Service payslips were used to encourage eligible colleagues to get their vaccines, as were NHS social media channels, which included videos from spokespeople, including the Chief Nursing Officer for England, and resources and messages have been shared through established frontline health and care worker networks, including unions and representative bodies.There is also a comprehensive range of information leaflets, promotional materials, and other resources to inform members of the public and health care professionals. This includes leaflets translated into over 30 languages, and available in easy read and large print formats, braille, and British Sign Language. These are available at the following link: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.htmlIn addition, improved reporting via NHS England’s Federated Data Platform is providing more detailed regional and integrated care board (ICB) level uptake intelligence than has been possible in previous campaigns. ICBs are being encouraged to work with the highest performing trusts in their region to share best practice and lessons learned, and to provide additional support for those providers where uptake is low. The UKHSA publishes weekly data on flu vaccine uptake in eligible groups, which is available at the following link:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-season The following table shows the latest data covering vaccination from 2021/22 up to 5 January 2025, as a percentage and broken down by patient group, and the comparative periods in previous years: Patient group2024/252023/242022/232021/2265-year-olds and over73.8%77.1%78.7%82.5%At risk38.6%40.4%46.7%53.0%Pregnant women33.8%31.0%33.6%39.8%Two-year-olds40.9%43.2%40.4%48.7%Three-year-olds42.5%43.5%42.9%50.7%The data for school aged children and health care worker vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available, respectively, at the following two links: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-uptake-in-children-of-school-age-monthly-data-2024-to-2025 www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-and-covid-19-vaccine-uptake-in-frontline-healthcare-workers-monthly-data-2024-to-2025The following table summarises the latest data on vaccination from 2021/22 up to 30 November 2024, for children in primary and secondary school and for health care workers:Cohort2024/252023/242022/232021/22Primary school49.1%48.1%48.0%39.5%Secondary school32.6%29.5%N/A26.2%Health care workers32.2%38.5%41.8%52.5% Adult social care setting vaccine uptake is published monthly, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monthly-statistics-for-adult-social-care-england#latest-reportThis year there was less time to complete vaccinations as the campaign for all adults, apart from pregnant women, started in early October 2024 rather than in September, as in previous years. This was based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, that it is better to vaccinate closer to when flu circulates because of waning vaccine effectiveness.It should be noted that for most eligible groups, flu vaccination reached the highest levels of uptake ever achieved in the programme during the pandemic, but has dropped back since then in adults.

16 Dec 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What estimate his Department has made of the percentage of funding announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 that will be allocated by NHS bodies to fund increases in National Insurance Contributions.

Reply

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, and this enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department, from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The ...

8 Nov 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

Whether he plans to continue to support the TRANSFORM prostate cancer screening trial.

Reply

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, and the Government is strongly committed to supporting research into cancer. The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Res...

5 Nov 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What steps his Department plans to take to support (a) hospices, (b) GPs and (c) care homes, in the context of proposed changes to employer National Insurance contributions.

Reply

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The emp...

11 Sept 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What recent discussions he has had with (a) NHS England and (b) drug companies to secure supplies of ADHD medication.

Reply

The Department has been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. As a result ...

11 Sept 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

If he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on encouraging young people to pursue careers in (a) hospitals and (b) community pharmacies.

Reply

It is the role of NHS England to work with National Health Service secondary care, community providers, and universities to ensure there is a supply of staff to take on the available roles providing NHS services in pharmacies, and to promote the vast arra...

2 Sept 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

How much money has been collected through NHS claims for charges from overseas visitors in the last five reported financial years.

Reply

The Department is committed to working with NHS England to ensure effective implementation of The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015.The Department publishes data on the income identified from chargeable overseas visit...

2 Sept 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What discussions he has had with NHS England on improving efforts to gather NHS charges from overseas visitors.

Reply

The Department is committed to working with NHS England to ensure effective implementation of The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015.The Department publishes data on the income identified from chargeable overseas visit...

2 Sept 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

How many NHS claims for charges from overseas visitors were processed by the NHS in the last five reported financial years.

Reply

The Department is committed to working with NHS England to ensure effective implementation of The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015.The Department publishes data on the income identified from chargeable overseas visit...

2 Sept 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a royal commission on social care.

Reply

The Government is determined to tackle the challenges facing adult social care. We want everyone to live an independent, dignified life. That is why we will build consensus on the long-term reform needed to create a National Care Service. We will engage w...

30 Aug 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

If he will ask NHS England to monitor the (a) uptake of locally implemented waste reduction schemes and (b) impact of such schemes on levels of unused medicines.

Reply

NHS England is leading a programme on medicine optimisation which aims to help patients to improve outcomes and safety, take medicines as intended, avoid taking unnecessary medicines, and reduce wastage. Community pharmacies also offer the New Medicines Service, providing further support to patients newly prescribed certain medicines, and the Discharge Medicines Service, enabling hospitals to refer recently discharged patients to a community pharmacy for support with new medication. Structured Medicine Reviews are offered by general practices (GPs), where pharmacists are part of multi-disciplinary teams to review patients’ medication, optimise their medication, and prevent wastage. In addition, electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) allows a GP to send repeat prescriptions to a patient’s pharmacy to manage the dispensing of the specific medicines required. As part of the eRD service, the pharmacy is required to make sure that the patient still needs all of their medicines, and dispense to the patients only those that are needed. The national overprescribing review from 2021 set outs a series of practical and cultural changes necessary to ensure patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their needs, while ensuring value for money. The impact of these and other measures is not centrally monitored.

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