Written questions by Green.

What progress he has made with Cabinet colleagues on implementing the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review 2020.

Seven of the nine recommendations have been previously accepted by the Government, in full, in part, or in principle, and four of these have been successfully implemented, including:- issuing an unreserved apology on behalf of the healthcare system;- appointing Dr Henrietta Hughes as the first ever Patient Safety Commissioner in England in respect of medicines and medical devices; and- establishing nine specialist mesh centres, which are in operation across England.Work is ongoing in respect of the remaining recommendations, including working across the Government to consider the recommendations in the Hughes Report, which looked into and provided advice on redress for those affected by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

If his Department will take steps to encourage students to take up careers in neurology.

We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. A central and core part of the 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 acr...

What estimate he has made of the number of consultants specialising in the treatment of Parkinson's disease required to meet current needs of patients.

We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. A central and core part of the 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 acr...

What funding the Government provides for research into a cure for Parkinson's disease.

The Government’s responsibility for delivering Parkinson’s disease research is shared between the Department of Health and Social Care, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department of Science, I...

What steps his Department is taking to promote awareness of early symptoms of Parkinson's disease amongst GPs.

General practitioners (GPs) are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge, including of Parkinson’s disease, remains up-to-date, and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This activity should incl...

With reference to his strategy for NHS workforce planning, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of shortages in the number of clinicians specialising in neurology on the adequacy o

Currently, there are no specific plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of shortages in the number of clinicians specialising in neurology on the adequacy of care for patients with Parkinson's disease or other neurological conditions.As of Ju...

What data his Department currently holds on waiting lists for treatment for Parkinson's Disease in England.

The Department does not hold data specifically on the number of people waiting for treatment for Parkinson’s disease in England. The Department does hold data on waiting times for neurology, but not broken down by specific conditions. The latest data for ...

What assessment he has made of the number of specialist Parkinson's Nurses required to meet the current needs of patients.

The Department does not hold data specifically on the number of people waiting for treatment for Parkinson’s disease in England. The Department does hold data on waiting times for neurology, but not broken down by specific conditions. The latest data for ...

What steps his Department is taking to help improve the treatment of long covid in the NHS.

Since 2020, the National Health Service in England has invested significantly in supporting people with long COVID. This includes setting up specialist post-COVID services nationwide for adults, and children and young people, as well as investing in ensur...

What steps his Department is taking to reduce risks to patient safety from the use of online consultation tools in general practice.

Although patient safety incidents related to online consultation tools are extremely rare, even a single incident is one too many, and the Government takes them very seriously. NHS England published the Primary Care Patient Safety Strategy (PCPSS) on 26 S...

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations contained in the Health Services Safety Investigations Body's report entitled Digital tools for o

While patient safety incidents related to online consultation tools are very rare, even one is too many, and the Government takes these very seriously. NHS England produced guidance on the implementation of digital services in May 2024. The guidance provi...

What steps his Department is taking to help increase public awareness of the symptoms of thoracic endometriosis.

The Government recognises the significant challenges faced by women with endometriosis, and is committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service. Information for the public on endometriosis symptoms and treatments can be fo...

What steps his Department is taking to strengthen the enforcement of no smoking policies on NHS hospital grounds in England.

Smoking has been prohibited by law in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed workplaces and public places, including hospital buildings, throughout the United Kingdom since July 2007. Smoke-free legislation in England forms part of the Health A...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of designating brain tumours as a clinical priority.

While the Department has not made a formal assessment, it spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer the largest area of spend at over £121.8 million...

What steps his Department is taking to support further research into levels of prostate cancer amongst black men.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer. The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer the largest area of spend at more than £121.8 milli...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending free NHS prescriptions to people with Parkinson's disease.

There are no current plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide r...

If he will make an assessment of the accessibility of treatment for terminal lung condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on the NHS.

NHS England is committed to improving outcomes for people with respiratory conditions, particularly through early and accurate diagnosis, which is a priority area under the NHS Long Term Plan.A key component of an early and accurate diagnosis for a number...

What steps his Department is taking to increase the capacity of interstitial lung disease specialist centres, in the context of increased eligibility for antifibrotic treatment.

NHS England is responsible for the commissioning of interstitial lung disease (ILD) services and funds the high-cost, anti-fibrotic treatments. Access to these treatments was widened to people with non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with the publication o...

When his Department plans to respond to the recommendations of the report by the Patient Safety Commissioner entitled The Hughes report, published on 7 February 2024.

The Government will consider the recommendations of The Hughes Report and the relevant Minister is due to meet with the Patient Safety Commissioner this week.To prevent future harm, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, NHS England, and others have taken action to strengthen oversight of valproate prescribing. For example, nine specialist mesh centres are in operation across England, ensuring that women with complications of mesh inserted for urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse get the right support in every region, and we have maintained the national pause on the use of pelvic mesh, which has been in place since July 2018.