Asked by: Baroness O'Neill of Bexley (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that General Practitioner and Dentistry services are prepared for increased demand arising from future housing developments.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for planning and commissioning healthcare services which meet the reasonable needs of the people for whom they are responsible.
ICBs should evaluate the changing needs of the populations for which they are responsible and plan new service provision as required, including planning for future demand for General Practice and Dentistry as a result of new housing developments.
To support with pressure on primary care estates, particularly in areas of housing growth, the Government has committed to review the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and planning guidance to raise the priority of primary care infrastructure needed to support an increase in demand for services.
We continue to work closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities to ensure these commitments are met through the latest NPPF refresh and negotiations on the future Infrastructure Levy following the passage of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.