Asked by: Jeremy Lefroy (Conservative - Stafford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans to continue to participate in the European Reference Networks for patients with complex or rare medical conditions after the UK leaves the EU and the expiry of the implementation period.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The Government has noted the importance of continued collaboration with European partners in the 2017 policy paper ‘Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper’. European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare diseases patients were cited in the paper as an example of collaboration that the United Kingdom and European Union should discuss in the negotiations, given the mutual benefit.
The Government has set out three key principles in developing a new regulatory system post EU exit: patients should not be disadvantaged; innovators should be able to get their products into the UK market as quickly and simply as possible; and we continue to play a leading role promoting public health. The Government will be guided by these principles in its negotiations with EU partners.
Asked by: Jeremy Lefroy (Conservative - Stafford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timetable for negotiations on the new pharmaceutical price regulation scheme is; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Steve Brine
Informal discussions have already begun with industry regarding future medicines pricing arrangements. Formal negotiations will begin shortly.
Asked by: Jeremy Lefroy (Conservative - Stafford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the monitoring of individual Quality Statement measures in the NICE Quality Standard on Spondyloarthritis, to be published in June 2018.
Answered by Steve Brine
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standards are concise sets of statements designed to drive quality improvements within a particular area of care and cover the National Health Service, public health and social care. They are derived from the best available evidence, normally NICE guidance but also other sources of NICE-accredited guidance, and are developed by NICE in collaboration with health and social care professionals, their partners and service users. The Department does not have any arrangements for monitoring the uptake of NICE quality standards centrally as they are not mandatory, although health and care commissioners are expected to take them fully into account.
Asked by: Jeremy Lefroy (Conservative - Stafford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timetable is for the publication of the Rheumatoid and Early Inflammatory Arthritis Annual Report; and whether that report will include additional data collection for spondyloarthritis patients.
Answered by Steve Brine
In August 2017, a new three year Rheumatoid and Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit was commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP). HQIP manages the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme on behalf of NHS England.
The British Society for Rheumatology was awarded the contract to run the audit, which will assess the care provided by rheumatology services in England and Wales, and the health outcomes this achieves for people living with inflammatory arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.
Building on the previous audit, which ran from 2014-16, it will provide more focused and precise data and employ real-time feedback to support local quality improvement. The audit is expected to launch in May this year, with first reports expected in the autumn of 2019. More information can be found at the following link:
www.rheumatology.org.uk/Knowledge/Excellence/Audits
Asked by: Jeremy Lefroy (Conservative - Stafford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on negotiating a new Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme.
Answered by Steve Brine
Informal discussions have already begun with industry regarding future medicines pricing arrangements. Formal negotiations will begin during 2018.
Asked by: Jeremy Lefroy (Conservative - Stafford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will immediately suspend the use of medical procedures involving vaginal mesh implants.
Answered by Jackie Doyle-Price
The Government does not support a suspension or ban of the use of surgical mesh devices. The view of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is that surgical mesh devices are acceptably safe when used as intended and as part of an appropriate treatment pathway where the associated risk and benefits are considered, and where surgical mesh devices conform to the requirements of the current legislation in the European Union.
As a Department we are committed to improving the outcomes for all patients involved. We continue to work closely with MHRA, NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and professional bodies. MHRA continue to review available evidence to ensure our regulatory position is up to date, liaising with EU partners and non-EU regulators.
Asked by: Jeremy Lefroy (Conservative - Stafford)
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 publish its consultation on adult social care.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
The Government has committed to publishing a Green Paper by summer 2018, setting out its proposals for reform.
In developing the Green Paper, it is right that we take the time needed to debate the many complex issues and listen to the perspectives of experts and care users, building consensus around reforms which can succeed. This is why we are starting a process of initial engagement over the coming months through which the Government will work with experts, stakeholders and users to shape the long-term reforms that will be proposed in the Green Paper.