Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letter sent by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners and the British Beauty Council concerning regulations on non-surgical aesthetic procedures on 26 October 2022.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
A response to the letter was sent on the 17 January 2023.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to implement the recommendations of the NHS Health Check programme review, Preventing illness and improving health for all: a review of the NHS Health Check programme and recommendations, updated on 9 December 2021.
Answered by Neil O'Brien - Shadow Minister (Policy Renewal and Development)
The Department is modernising the NHS Health Check to deliver the recommendations made in the review. This includes an evaluation of digital NHS Health Checks trialled in Cornwall to inform the development of a national programme.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to remove the requirement for care homes to recommend residents undergo PCR testing where more than two covid-19 cases inside a care setting have been confirmed.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Government’s guidance on outbreak testing, where more than two COVID-19 cases inside a care setting have been confirmed, is informed by public health advice. This aims to ensure that positive cases of COVID-19 can be identified and to prevent transmission. We continue to keep this guidance under review.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December to Question 99757, what the reason is for the delay in publishing the Department's response.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
We are ensuring the response represents the latest Government position on the recommendations made by the Committee and we have written to the Chair to explain the delay.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the evidential threshold for the General Medical Council to pass on evidence to the police of malpractice in consultations by unregistered medical professionals from requiring an intent to deceive to recklessness.
Answered by Will Quince
There are no current plans to make a specific assessment. On 24 March 2021, we published ‘Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public’, which sought views on the proposals to reform the regulatory framework for health and care professionals. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published shortly and will provide further information, including on proposed changes to the protection of title offences.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to respond to the Second Report of the Health and Social Care Committee entitled The impact of body image on mental and physical health, published on 2 August 2022, HC 114.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
We are finalising the Government’s response to the Committee’s report and we expect it to be published in early 2023.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department plans to take steps to provide advice to people travelling to Turkey for (a) aesthetic and (b) cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Caroline Johnson - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
The Government urges anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure to find a reputable, safe and competent practitioner subject to statutory regulation or on an accredited voluntary register overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. Using a registered practitioner provides assurance that they are appropriately qualified, registered and insured.
Those considering a cosmetic procedure abroad are urged to research the standards and qualifications which apply in that country. Individuals should ensure that adequate insurance arrangements are in place and that they have access to appropriate aftercare in the United Kingdom. NHS.UK has published guidance for people considering travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery, as well as general safety advice and information on individual procedures. The Royal College of Surgeons and the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons also provide information online.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress her Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals to amend the licensing requirements for cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Caroline Johnson - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
Officials are considering how a future licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England might be implemented. Any future licensing requirements would be subject to stakeholder engagement and public consultation to inform the scope and details of the scheme. No timetable for implementation has yet been determined.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the (a) BE FAST mnemonic used in the United States and (b) the FAST test used in the UK in assisting members of the public in detecting symptoms of stroke.
Answered by Will Quince
There are no plans to make a comparative assessment. Internal analysis of the Act FAST campaign for stroke suggests that the campaign has delivered 4,400 additional thrombolysis treatments since its launch in 2009.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects NICE's review of Evusheld to be concluded.
Answered by Robert Jenrick - Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
On 10 August 2022, the Department referred tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld) to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to evaluate its clinical and cost effectiveness for preventing COVID-19. Between 29 July and 12 August, NICE consulted with stakeholders on the suggested remit, draft scope and list of consultees and commentators.
NICE has commenced this evaluation and currently expects to publish draft guidance in April 2023, with final guidance to follow in May 2023. In discussion with AstraZeneca, NICE is expediting the appraisal process by bringing forward the deadline for the manufacturer’s evidence submission.