Every parliamentary written question tabled by Saqib Bhatti this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 301–316 of 316 · this parliament
With reference to the oral answer of 23 July 2024 from the Minister for Secondary Care, Official Report, column 510, whether he plans to announce further steps on the delivery of neighbourhood heal
As my Rt hon. Friend the Minister for Secondary Care sets out, we have committed to trialling Neighbourhood Health Centres to bring together a range of services under one roof. This is part of our broader ambition to move towards a Neighbourhood Health Se...
If he will publish a dementia strategy.
Everyone should have access to high quality care that supports choice and control, and enables people to live independent, dignified lives. This includes people living with dementia. We know that the health and social care system faces significant challen...
Whether it is his policy to ringfence dentistry budgets within the budgets of integrated care boards.
NHS England has issued guidance on the ringfencing of dental budgets for 2024/25 and will be reviewing for the next financial year. Ringfencing funding for future years will be reviewed as part of the Planning Guidance process. The guidance is available a...
With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Faster, simpler and fairer: our plan to recover and reform NHS dentistry, published on 7 February 2024, whether he plans to continue the Smi
We are currently reviewing the policy paper, including proposals for a Smile for Life programme, and what elements can be taken forward effectively. We will implement our Dental Rescue Plan and prioritise initiatives that will see the biggest impact on ac...
When he plans to respond to the consultation entitled Proposal for a tie-in to NHS dentistry for graduate dentists which closed on 18 July 2024.
We are considering the responses received to the consultation and our position on this proposal will be set out in due course. The Government is determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry and strengthening the workforce is key to our ambition...
When he plans to respond to the consultation on the provisional registration for overseas-qualified dentists.
No date has been set. The Government is determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, and strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions. Dentists that meet our high standards should be able to enter the workforce efficiently, and we are exploring the best ways to achieve this, including whether there is merit to the introduction of a provisional registration status for overseas-qualified dentists.
At what proportion of NHS spending he plans to set funding for GPs.
We greatly value the critical role general practitioners (GPs) play, and we are determined to address the issues they face by shifting the focus of the National Health Service beyond hospitals and into the community. Under the previous government, primary care and GPs have been receiving a smaller proportion of NHS resources, and we’re committed to reversing that. Departmental budgets for 2025/26 will be confirmed at my Rt hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Budget, on 30 October 2024.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential value for money of providing financial incentives for GPs to deliver continuity of care.
While an official assessment has not been made, the Government has committed to bringing back the family doctor for those who would benefit from seeing the same clinician regularly, for example those living with chronic illness. Improved continuity of care with the same general practitioner (GP) is associated with better health outcomes, fewer GP appointments over time, and fewer accident and emergency attendances. This will be achieved by incentivising GPs to see the same patients, and we will work with the profession and engage with stakeholders to inform how this is delivered.Delivering our other commitments relating to GPs will also support improvements in the provision of continuity of care. For instance: building capacity in practices by training thousands more GPs; guaranteeing face-to-face appointments for all those who want one; delivering a modern appointment booking system; and shifting resources to primary and community care services over time.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential value for money of including GPs in the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme
Over a thousand newly qualified GPs will be recruited through changes to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, as a result of additional funding to address GP unemployment over 24/25. The change will allow patients to get access to the care they need through increasing appointments.The change follows extensive engagement and consideration of options to support employment of additional GPs who have been trained and can provide necessary clinical capacity in general practice. No explicit assessment has been made of the potential value for money of the change.
What steps he is taking to improve access to dentistry in rural areas.
We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist particularly in more rural and coastal areas. This Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.We also know that the most common reason children aged five to nine are admitted to hospital is to have rotting teeth removed. That is why we will also introduce a supervised tooth-brushing scheme for children aged three to five, targeting the areas of highest need.From 1 April 2023, the responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards across England.
Whether he plans to build Midland Metropolitan University Hospital by 2030.
The new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is currently in construction and is expected to open to patients in the next year.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, we will be undertaking a full and comprehensive review of the New Hospital Programme to provide a realistic and costed timetable for delivery.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.
Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is for delivering the exascale supercomputer facility in Edinburgh.
The programme remains subject to HMG business case approvals, and we will provide further updates in due course.
Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is for phasing out animal testing.
The Government has committed to partnering with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing. Discussions on this subject are already underway, but no specific timetable has been published. The Government, via UK Research & Innovation, continues to fund the development of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research through the National Centre for 3Rs (NC3Rs).
Innovation and Technology, what steps he plans to take to help support the semiconductor industry.
The Government is committed to building on the UK’s world-class strengths in the semiconductor sector to accelerate growth and unlock real-world benefits for UK citizens. Our focus is on enhancing the UK’s enabling environment to make this a top place to sustainably grow a business in the semiconductor sector, including support for innovation, skills and commercialisation. Deepening collaboration with international partners, including the EU and G7, is a key part of this approach and will ensure that the UK continues to be a credible player on the international stage.
Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is for the next launch from a UK spaceport.
The next UK launch will be delivered by Rocket Factory Augsburg from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland later this year. This will be the first vertical launch from the UK and will be a significant step for the UK space sector. Several UK spaceports are now in, or close to being, in operation.
Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to commission an impact assessment on the proposed phasing out of animal testing.
The Government has committed to partnering with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the requirements for phasing out of animal testing. Any policy changes as a result of this work will be assessed appropriately.