Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 1 February (HL1933), what were the agreed efficiency standards for breast cancer screening prior to the restoration of services since the COVID-19 pandemic; and what are the agreed efficiency standards now.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The standards for breast screening include an acceptable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 70%, and an achievable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 80%. Full details about the changes to breast screening standards before and after COVID-19, are available on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to respond to the survey by Facial Palsy UK published on 1 March, and if so when; and what assessment they have made of the fact that nearly 90 per cent of respondents called for a clearer understanding of which type of specialist provides care for patients with facial palsy.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Disability within the Equality Act 2010 is not defined through each specific condition, but rather in general terms. The general definition of disability, for the purposes of the act, is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
A person with facial paralysis or facial palsy may experience difficulties with communication, which may have a substantial and long-term effect, in accordance with the act. The Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that the right support is in place, including for those with health conditions such as Bell’s palsy.
We have made it clear to local commissioners that we expect NHS Talking Therapies to be integrated into physical healthcare pathways. Our NHS Long Term Plan commits to an additional £2.3 billion a year for the expansion of mental health services by 2024, so that an additional two million people, including those with Bell’s palsy, can access National Health Service-funded mental health support. The Department received Facial Palsy UK’s survey on pathways of care for people with facial palsy on 27 February 2024. We will reply as soon as possible.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what specialist provision is available for “further support or counselling if there are emotional consequences of persistent facial paralysis or paresis”, as mentioned in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for Bell’s palsy referral.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Disability within the Equality Act 2010 is not defined through each specific condition, but rather in general terms. The general definition of disability, for the purposes of the act, is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
A person with facial paralysis or facial palsy may experience difficulties with communication, which may have a substantial and long-term effect, in accordance with the act. The Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that the right support is in place, including for those with health conditions such as Bell’s palsy.
We have made it clear to local commissioners that we expect NHS Talking Therapies to be integrated into physical healthcare pathways. Our NHS Long Term Plan commits to an additional £2.3 billion a year for the expansion of mental health services by 2024, so that an additional two million people, including those with Bell’s palsy, can access National Health Service-funded mental health support. The Department received Facial Palsy UK’s survey on pathways of care for people with facial palsy on 27 February 2024. We will reply as soon as possible.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether (1) facial paralysis, and (2) facial palsy, are primarily recognised as a disability of communication.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Disability within the Equality Act 2010 is not defined through each specific condition, but rather in general terms. The general definition of disability, for the purposes of the act, is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
A person with facial paralysis or facial palsy may experience difficulties with communication, which may have a substantial and long-term effect, in accordance with the act. The Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that the right support is in place, including for those with health conditions such as Bell’s palsy.
We have made it clear to local commissioners that we expect NHS Talking Therapies to be integrated into physical healthcare pathways. Our NHS Long Term Plan commits to an additional £2.3 billion a year for the expansion of mental health services by 2024, so that an additional two million people, including those with Bell’s palsy, can access National Health Service-funded mental health support. The Department received Facial Palsy UK’s survey on pathways of care for people with facial palsy on 27 February 2024. We will reply as soon as possible.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of integrated care board performance reports; and what discussions they have had with NHS England concerning that matter.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department undertakes regular discussion with NHS England on the performance and oversight of the integrated care boards (ICBs). Statutory ICBs were established on 1 July 2022 and since then they have made real progress in understanding the health needs of their populations, setting out their plans, developing the infrastructure needed for collaboration, and bringing health and social care organisations together to serve the needs of their communities.
NHS England conducted an annual performance assessment of the ICBs for the 2022/23 financial year, from July 2022 to March 2023, and published the guidance Annual assessment of integrated care boards 2022-23: supporting guidance, for the ICBs. While conducting the assessments, NHS England considered how successfully each ICB: led the National Health Service within its integrated care system (ICS); performed its statutory functions; delivered on guidance set out by NHS England or my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding its functions, with a particular focus on the objectives set out in the priorities and operational planning guidance; and contributed to each of the four fundamental purposes of an ICS, which are improving population health and healthcare, tackling unequal outcomes and access, enhancing productivity and value for money, and helping the National Health Service support broader social and economic development.
These annual assessments included an assessment of how well the ICB performed the following specific duties, required under the terms of the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Care Act 2022:
- the duty to improve the quality of services;
- the duty to reduce inequality of access and outcome;
- the duty to take appropriate advice;
- the duty to facilitate, promote, and use research;
- the duty to have regard to the effect of decisions, also known as the triple aim;
- the duty to consult patients and the public about decisions that affect them;
- the financial duties; and
- the duty to contribute to wider local strategies.
NHS England published a summary of the assessment reports as part of its 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts. All ICBs also published their individual Annual Reports and Accounts for 2022/23, on their websites. The Department is working with NHS England on its approach to the annual performance assessment for 2023/24.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of integrated care boards in the financial year 2022–23.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department undertakes regular discussion with NHS England on the performance and oversight of the integrated care boards (ICBs). Statutory ICBs were established on 1 July 2022 and since then they have made real progress in understanding the health needs of their populations, setting out their plans, developing the infrastructure needed for collaboration, and bringing health and social care organisations together to serve the needs of their communities.
NHS England conducted an annual performance assessment of the ICBs for the 2022/23 financial year, from July 2022 to March 2023, and published the guidance Annual assessment of integrated care boards 2022-23: supporting guidance, for the ICBs. While conducting the assessments, NHS England considered how successfully each ICB: led the National Health Service within its integrated care system (ICS); performed its statutory functions; delivered on guidance set out by NHS England or my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding its functions, with a particular focus on the objectives set out in the priorities and operational planning guidance; and contributed to each of the four fundamental purposes of an ICS, which are improving population health and healthcare, tackling unequal outcomes and access, enhancing productivity and value for money, and helping the National Health Service support broader social and economic development.
These annual assessments included an assessment of how well the ICB performed the following specific duties, required under the terms of the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Care Act 2022:
- the duty to improve the quality of services;
- the duty to reduce inequality of access and outcome;
- the duty to take appropriate advice;
- the duty to facilitate, promote, and use research;
- the duty to have regard to the effect of decisions, also known as the triple aim;
- the duty to consult patients and the public about decisions that affect them;
- the financial duties; and
- the duty to contribute to wider local strategies.
NHS England published a summary of the assessment reports as part of its 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts. All ICBs also published their individual Annual Reports and Accounts for 2022/23, on their websites. The Department is working with NHS England on its approach to the annual performance assessment for 2023/24.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the scope of the Major Conditions Strategy does not include hundreds of neurological conditions.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government announced a Major Conditions Strategy in January 2023, focusing on six groups of conditions that account for over 60% of ill health and early death in England. This has allowed us to look at similarities in approach across these conditions,and where there might be opportunities to ensure care is better centered around the patient. This means that many of the solutions identified in the final strategy may benefit patients and users of health and social care services beyond the six major condition groups, including neurological conditions.
The Department has worked closely with a range of stakeholders to develop the strategy, including people with lived experience and organisations representing patients, carers, and conditions. This includes engagement with the Neurological Alliance.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to work with NHS England, commissioners and providers to use the new optimal clinical pathways for the benefit of patients with neurological conditions.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
New optimal clinical pathways for a range of neurological conditions were developed by the National Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG). These pathways set out what good treatment, care and support should look like across a range of neurological conditions. They also help to guide and facilitate the commissioning of high-quality, effective neurology services by integrated care boards (ICBs). The optimal clinical pathways are published on the NNAG website in an online-only format.
No formal assessment has been made of the potential impact of the new optimal clinical pathways for those with neurological conditions. The Department is working with the NHS England Neurology Transformation Programme in developing a toolkit of resources for ICB commissioners. The NHS England toolkit includes reference to the new optimal clinical pathways developed by the NNAG, signposting them as a resource for use in the continued development of local services.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of new optimal clinical pathways for those with neurological conditions.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
New optimal clinical pathways for a range of neurological conditions were developed by the National Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG). These pathways set out what good treatment, care and support should look like across a range of neurological conditions. They also help to guide and facilitate the commissioning of high-quality, effective neurology services by integrated care boards (ICBs). The optimal clinical pathways are published on the NNAG website in an online-only format.
No formal assessment has been made of the potential impact of the new optimal clinical pathways for those with neurological conditions. The Department is working with the NHS England Neurology Transformation Programme in developing a toolkit of resources for ICB commissioners. The NHS England toolkit includes reference to the new optimal clinical pathways developed by the NNAG, signposting them as a resource for use in the continued development of local services.
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the estimate from the British Dental Association that only 700 of approximately 8000 NHS contract holders in England will benefit from the increase in payment per unit of dental activity.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
On 7 February 2024, we published Our Plan to Recover and Reform NHS Dentistry. The Dentistry Recovery Plan will make dental services faster, simpler, and fairer for patients and will fund around 2.5 million additional appointments or more than 1.5 million additional courses of dental treatment.
Units of dental activity (UDA) rates vary around the country but in recognition of the fact that where rates are lowest it is harder for dentists to sustain their National Health Service work, we announced in Our Plan to Recover and Reform NHS Dentistry that we will raise the minimum UDA value to £28. This will mean that almost 1,000 contracts will see an uplift to their UDA rate this year, supporting them and making treatment of NHS patients more sustainable. We have also developed guidance to support local commissioning by integrated care boards, including how they can consider addressing UDA rates locally to support better delivery of dental care for patients. The plan also includes a number of other commitments to make NHS dentistry more attractive and sustainable, including new patient payments and Golden Hellos.
We are developing further recommendations for dental contract reform to properly reflect the care needed by different patients, and to remunerate practices more fairly. We expect to develop options for consultation with the dental profession in advance of a further announcement later this year. Any changes would be phased in from 2025 onwards.