Asked by: Antoinette Sandbach (Liberal Democrat - Eddisbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals in EU countries who will potentially face increased healthcare costs in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
The Government has proposed to all European Union Member States that when we leave, we should maintain the existing healthcare arrangements until 31 December 2020, with the aim of minimising disruption to healthcare provision for United Kingdom nationals and EU citizens.
After the UK leaves the EU, the majority of UK nationals who currently live or work in EU Member States will still have options for accessing healthcare under local rules. Depending on the country, it will generally be possible to access healthcare through legal residency, current or previous employment, or through joining a social insurance scheme and contributing a percentage of their income as other residents need to do. Some people may need to purchase private health insurance while applying or if they are not eligible for local schemes.
Asked by: Antoinette Sandbach (Liberal Democrat - Eddisbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on the supply chains for medicines and medical supplies of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; what steps he is taking to protect ongoing supplies of medicines and medical supplies; and if he will update the dear colleague letter of the 27 June 2019 entitled No deal Brexit contingency planning assumptions for continuity of supply of medicines and medical products.
Answered by Chris Skidmore
As part of a responsible Government, the Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for European Union exit. We want to reassure patients that we should be fully prepared for leaving on 31 October, and that our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and medical products remains uninterrupted when we leave the EU.
The Department is implementing a multi-layered approach, which consists of stockpiling where possible, securing freight capacity, changing or clarifying regulatory requirements, procuring additional warehousing, working closely with industry to improve trader readiness and putting in place the National Supply Disruption Response to manage potential shortages. This should ensure the continuity of supply of medicines and medical products following EU exit.
We continue to engage with stakeholders and update our communications regularly. We are looking to update Members shortly.
Asked by: Antoinette Sandbach (Liberal Democrat - Eddisbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether GP’s have authority to request cervical cancer smear tests when patients under 25 show symptoms of cervical cancer.
Answered by Steve Brine
As part of the delivery of essential medical services under the General Medical Services Contract Regulations, general practitioner practices must offer consultation and, where appropriate, physical examination for the purposes of identifying the need, if any, for treatment or further investigation. Practices should carry out treatment or further investigation as is necessary and appropriate, including the referral of a patient to other services or other health care professionals.
Patients aged over 25 are, of course, eligible for the cervical screening programme.