Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the effectiveness of the National Wound Care Strategy Programme in co-ordinating wound care policy prior to its closure in March 2025, and (2) the potential benefits of developing a Modern Service Framework for wound care.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Community health services, including wound care, are locally commissioned to enable systems to best meet the needs of their communities. No discussions have been held about the appointment of a National Clinical Director, and integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the delivery of wound care.
An independent evaluation of the National Wound Care Strategy was undertaken by the Health Innovation Wessex and was presented to the Chief Nursing Officer and shared with provider and ICB Chief Nurses in April 2025. The Government has not made an assessment on developing a modern service framework for wound care.
Standardising Community Health Services, first published 2025, with further detail added in 2026, sets clear expectations of the core community health services ICBs should be providing that will help to ensure consistent delivery of community health services, support effective commissioning, and improve patient access to care. This included expectations for ICBs providing specialist tissue viability or wound care. Work is underway to align current data collections to the definitions set out in Standardising Community Health Services.
The Government has not made an assessment of the cost of wound care to the National Health Service, and this includes whether procurement frameworks reflect total pathway value.
NHS Supply Chain’s frameworks are not simply focussed on price, as they provide value through the provision of product hierarchies and Information for Clinical Choice to enable clinicians to make better informed decisions on the right product for their patients. In addition, NHS Supply Chain actively explores innovation and value-based healthcare opportunities with suppliers and NHS customers across its wound care frameworks, to deliver increased value across the patient pathway.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which procurement frameworks for wound care products in the National Health Service reflect total pathway value, including the costs of unhealed wounds, rather than unit product cost alone.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Community health services, including wound care, are locally commissioned to enable systems to best meet the needs of their communities. No discussions have been held about the appointment of a National Clinical Director, and integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the delivery of wound care.
An independent evaluation of the National Wound Care Strategy was undertaken by the Health Innovation Wessex and was presented to the Chief Nursing Officer and shared with provider and ICB Chief Nurses in April 2025. The Government has not made an assessment on developing a modern service framework for wound care.
Standardising Community Health Services, first published 2025, with further detail added in 2026, sets clear expectations of the core community health services ICBs should be providing that will help to ensure consistent delivery of community health services, support effective commissioning, and improve patient access to care. This included expectations for ICBs providing specialist tissue viability or wound care. Work is underway to align current data collections to the definitions set out in Standardising Community Health Services.
The Government has not made an assessment of the cost of wound care to the National Health Service, and this includes whether procurement frameworks reflect total pathway value.
NHS Supply Chain’s frameworks are not simply focussed on price, as they provide value through the provision of product hierarchies and Information for Clinical Choice to enable clinicians to make better informed decisions on the right product for their patients. In addition, NHS Supply Chain actively explores innovation and value-based healthcare opportunities with suppliers and NHS customers across its wound care frameworks, to deliver increased value across the patient pathway.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - 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 Integrated Care Boards collect and publish standardised data on (1) wound care patient outcomes and (2) wound care expenditure.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Community health services, including wound care, are locally commissioned to enable systems to best meet the needs of their communities. No discussions have been held about the appointment of a National Clinical Director, and integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the delivery of wound care.
An independent evaluation of the National Wound Care Strategy was undertaken by the Health Innovation Wessex and was presented to the Chief Nursing Officer and shared with provider and ICB Chief Nurses in April 2025. The Government has not made an assessment on developing a modern service framework for wound care.
Standardising Community Health Services, first published 2025, with further detail added in 2026, sets clear expectations of the core community health services ICBs should be providing that will help to ensure consistent delivery of community health services, support effective commissioning, and improve patient access to care. This included expectations for ICBs providing specialist tissue viability or wound care. Work is underway to align current data collections to the definitions set out in Standardising Community Health Services.
The Government has not made an assessment of the cost of wound care to the National Health Service, and this includes whether procurement frameworks reflect total pathway value.
NHS Supply Chain’s frameworks are not simply focussed on price, as they provide value through the provision of product hierarchies and Information for Clinical Choice to enable clinicians to make better informed decisions on the right product for their patients. In addition, NHS Supply Chain actively explores innovation and value-based healthcare opportunities with suppliers and NHS customers across its wound care frameworks, to deliver increased value across the patient pathway.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government (1) which Minister, (2) which National Clinical Directors and (3) who within (a) the Department of Health and Social Care, (b) NHS England, and (c) the Department for Work and Pensions, holds responsibility for the delivery and co-ordination of wound care services in England; and (4) what assessment they have made of the need for a National Clinical Director for Wound Care.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Community health services, including wound care, are locally commissioned to enable systems to best meet the needs of their communities. No discussions have been held about the appointment of a National Clinical Director, and integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the delivery of wound care.
An independent evaluation of the National Wound Care Strategy was undertaken by the Health Innovation Wessex and was presented to the Chief Nursing Officer and shared with provider and ICB Chief Nurses in April 2025. The Government has not made an assessment on developing a modern service framework for wound care.
Standardising Community Health Services, first published 2025, with further detail added in 2026, sets clear expectations of the core community health services ICBs should be providing that will help to ensure consistent delivery of community health services, support effective commissioning, and improve patient access to care. This included expectations for ICBs providing specialist tissue viability or wound care. Work is underway to align current data collections to the definitions set out in Standardising Community Health Services.
The Government has not made an assessment of the cost of wound care to the National Health Service, and this includes whether procurement frameworks reflect total pathway value.
NHS Supply Chain’s frameworks are not simply focussed on price, as they provide value through the provision of product hierarchies and Information for Clinical Choice to enable clinicians to make better informed decisions on the right product for their patients. In addition, NHS Supply Chain actively explores innovation and value-based healthcare opportunities with suppliers and NHS customers across its wound care frameworks, to deliver increased value across the patient pathway.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the annual cost of wound care to the National Health Service in England across (1) primary, (2) secondary, (3) community and (4) social care settings.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Community health services, including wound care, are locally commissioned to enable systems to best meet the needs of their communities. No discussions have been held about the appointment of a National Clinical Director, and integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the delivery of wound care.
An independent evaluation of the National Wound Care Strategy was undertaken by the Health Innovation Wessex and was presented to the Chief Nursing Officer and shared with provider and ICB Chief Nurses in April 2025. The Government has not made an assessment on developing a modern service framework for wound care.
Standardising Community Health Services, first published 2025, with further detail added in 2026, sets clear expectations of the core community health services ICBs should be providing that will help to ensure consistent delivery of community health services, support effective commissioning, and improve patient access to care. This included expectations for ICBs providing specialist tissue viability or wound care. Work is underway to align current data collections to the definitions set out in Standardising Community Health Services.
The Government has not made an assessment of the cost of wound care to the National Health Service, and this includes whether procurement frameworks reflect total pathway value.
NHS Supply Chain’s frameworks are not simply focussed on price, as they provide value through the provision of product hierarchies and Information for Clinical Choice to enable clinicians to make better informed decisions on the right product for their patients. In addition, NHS Supply Chain actively explores innovation and value-based healthcare opportunities with suppliers and NHS customers across its wound care frameworks, to deliver increased value across the patient pathway.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of food delivery services on levels of alcohol consumption and any resultant impact on public health.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care, working in close collaboration with colleagues at the Home Office, are in the early stages of assessing the impact of food delivery services on levels of alcohol consumption and any resultant impact on public health, reflecting the importance of ensuring that the licensing regime remains robust and effective.
A roundtable was convened by both Minister Jones, Minister for Policing and Crime, and Minister Hodgson, Minister for Public Health and Prevention on 15 June, to explore the impact of rapid alcohol deliveries on consumption, the potential impact on harms, and potential solutions. We are also commissioning research to bridge evidence gaps.
The delivery of alcohol is regulated under the Licensing Act 2003, responsibility for which rests with the Home Office. This Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce health inequalities arising from substance misuse.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to ensuring that anyone with a drug or alcohol problem can access the help and support they need. Funding for drug and alcohol treatment can reduce societal inequalities and contribute to the Government’s mission to increase opportunity for all.
Local authorities are responsible for commissioning community alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services as part of their public health responsibilities. Over the next three years, through the Public Health Grant, we are providing local authorities with £3.4 billion of ringfenced funding for drug and alcohol prevention, treatment, and recovery. Conditions of the Public Health Grant include that local authorities use the funding solely for the purposes of commissioning and providing drug and alcohol services, and they have a comprehensive plan based on the assessment of local need and which has been developed with local health, housing, employment, children and families, and criminal justice partners.
The Department delivers a robust monitoring and assurance programme, and quality improvement interventions, for local authorities commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services. The number of adults in treatment is now the highest since reporting began, with latest annual statistics showing that between April 2024 and March 2025 there were 329,646 adults aged 18 years old and over in contact with community drug and alcohol treatment services.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Cheshire West and Chester Council framework for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, who is responsible for determining whether a person who lacks mental capacity is validly consenting to their care placement; whether that determination rests with the managing authority of the care setting rather than an independent qualified professional such as a social worker, approved mental health professional, or best interests assessor; and, if so, what safeguards exist to prevent the recurrence of the conditions that led to the abuse scandal at Winterbourne View Hospital.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government remains firmly committed to safeguarding and protecting the rights of people lacking capacity.
As seen in the attached document, The Department published an update on GOV.UK on 15 June in response to the judgement. The update includes initial steers on what the judgment means, including for the assessment of valid consent, for practitioners and all those involved in supporting individuals where is a deprivation of liberty. We are working with a range of stakeholder partners and charities to develop follow-up guidance as quickly as possible.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are one of several ways that United Kingdom legislation protects people’s rights. Since Winterborne, the Care Act 2014 was implemented and provides explicit safeguards for adults with care and support needs.
As recommended by Baroness Casey, we are working at pace to set up a new National Adult Safeguarding Board to strengthen national oversight and accountability of the safeguarding system and to and to undertake a review of adult safeguarding statutory duties and powers.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any regional variation in access to drug, alcohol and smoking cessation services.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to ensuring all areas offer high-quality drug, alcohol, and smoking cessation services, with action to support consistent provision nationwide.
For smoking, we have invested an additional £70 million in both 2024/25 and 2025/26 to support local authority-led Stop Smoking Services in England to help people quit. From April 2026, we have provided an additional £260 million over three years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29, and ring-fenced all funding for smoking cessation services within the Public Health Grant, meaning at least £153 million per annum is protected for these services. This will ensure there is a comprehensive offer across local authorities in England and that there is more equitable funding across all regions. The additional funding is weighted toward local authorities with the highest smoking rates to ensure we target areas with the greatest need. We have also has launched a Self-Assessment and Service Improvement Tool to support local authorities to strengthen Stop Smoking Services delivery and improvement, and ensure a minimum standard of service.
For drugs and alcohol, the Department continues to work with all local areas to address unmet need to drive improvements in continuity of care. This includes the Unmet Need Toolkit which can be used by local areas to assess local need and plan to meet it. From 2026, all drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding is through the Public Health Grant, with £3.4 billion ringfenced for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery over three years. One of the conditions of the Public Health Grant is that all local authorities that receive the grant work with partners to develop a plan to address drug and alcohol need in their community, and this plan is agreed with the Department.
Asked by: Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol in England.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Under our Health Mission, this government is committed to prioritising public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.
We do not currently have any plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol in England. However, we are continuing to work closely across government to better understand what can be done to address the drivers of alcohol-related harms.