Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2020 evidence review of gender-affirming hormones for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria was not referenced in the list of resources which informed NHS England’s decision on the prescription of gender-affirming hormones for children and adolescents.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
NHS England has not adopted a new policy for gender-affirming hormones. NHS England made a consequential amendment to their gender-affirming hormones policy to bring it into alignment with the new puberty suppressing hormones policy. This planned update was set out in the puberty suppressing hormones policy consultation documents.
NHS England has put additional safeguards on the use of cross-sex hormones, for instance that any prescription to young people aged between 16 and 18 years old must be approved by a national multi-disciplinary team.
NHS England will continue to review the gender affirming hormone policy in line with the latest clinical advice, and will take note of recommendations set out in the Cass Review, once the final report has been delivered.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Royal College of General Practice on the interim report of the Dr Hilary Cass review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care in February 2022.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
No discussions have been had with the Royal College of General Practitioners about the Cass Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People. NHS England commissioned the review and we look forward to the final report, which will be published soon.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours, Pathway to a Cure – breaking down the barriers, published on 28 February 2023, what is the expected timescale to develop a strategy for adequately resourcing discovery, translational and clinical research into brain tumours as recommended by the report; and whether they will commit to ring fencing the recommended £110 million for this resourcing.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care welcomes the All-Party Parliamentary Group report, recommendations of which continue to be worked through with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, UK Research and Innovation and the Medical Research Council (MRC), and with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The report recommended action by the research funding agencies on coordinating activities and making funding available. We are taking steps to ensure that funders work closely together to coordinate work along the translational pathway, from the discovery and early translational science typically supported by the MRC, feeding through to the applied health and care research funded by the NIHR.
It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. As with other Government funders of health research, the NIHR does not allocate funding for specific disease areas. The level of research spend in a particular area is driven by factors including scientific potential and the number and scale of successful funding applications.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what policy NHS England has on literature, posters and other guidance with reference to the recording or description of the sex of patients.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is clear that biological sex matters and that there are different health needs between the sexes. We have been clear that removing language around biological sex and women has the potential for unintended adverse health consequences. Language used in healthcare settings, whilst being inclusive, should use clear terms that everyone can understand.
As set out in Women’s Health Strategy, we are working with National Health Service bodies to ensure that women are properly represented in communications and guidance.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the General Medical Council concerning its removal of the words "mother" and "women" from its internal guidance for pregnant or menopausal staff; and whether this reflects advice to doctors on how to treat and describe patients.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
No specific discussions have been had. Ministerial meetings are routinely published on GOV.UK.
The General Medical Council (GMC) is independent from the Government and its internal guidance is produced for employees of the GMC, not for doctors registered therewith.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have reviewed all NHS advice to staff as to the language used to describe female patients.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
We have been clear that biological sex matters and it is important to use appropriate language that recognises the separate health and biological needs of men and women.
No review has taken place on all advice to National Health Service staff, but we continue to work with NHS bodies to ensure that women are properly represented in communications and guidance.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they last met the General Medical Council; and what was covered on the agenda.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government meets with the General Medical Council (GMC) on a regular basis.
The Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care (Will Quince MP) last met with the GMC on 19 July 2023. The agenda covered the following items:
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the budget for falls prevention; and whether they have any plans to allocate a portion of that budget to Fracture Liaison Services in order to (1) diagnose osteoporosis early, and (2) prevent hip fractures.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
NHS England does not have a specific budget on a national level for falls prevention, which is a focus within certain policy programmes, including Enhanced Health in Care Homes. The Department continues to work with NHS England on the consideration and implementation of musculoskeletal policy, including Fracture Liaison Services.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that alcohol harm rates do not increase following the increase in relative affordability of alcohol compared to fruit juice and other non-alcoholic drinks, given the link between alcohol affordability and harm.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
We continue to monitor the impact of the alcohol affordability on alcohol consumption and associated harms. The reforms of alcohol duty will, for the first time, tax all alcohol according to strength, helping to target problem drinking by taxing products associated with alcohol-related harm at a higher rate of duty. These reforms will be implemented from 1 August 2023.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure consumer health awareness on alcohol product labels by way of (1) the Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines, and (2) other health-promoting means, such as (a) ingredient, and (b) calorie, listing.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
We have announced the intention to consult on whether to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on prepacked alcohol and alcohol sold in on-trade businesses such as pubs and restaurants. The consultation will also seek views on whether the provision of the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines should be mandatory or continue on a voluntary basis. Respondents may also suggest additional labelling requirements for consideration, such as ingredient listing. The consultation will launch in due course.
The Department continues to promote the low risk drinking guidelines through public health messaging, including the ‘Better Health’ campaign and the Drink Free Days app.