International Healthcare Outcomes

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts

Thursday 19th May 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

I had a meeting only a few days ago with the person responsible for primary care—a doctor herself. One of the issues we discussed is how we make more effective use of different levels of primary care. What is interesting here is that primary care has, over time, taken on some of the services that used to be provided by secondary care. At the same time, some of those primary care services are now being contracted out or delegated out to, say, pharmacists or physiotherapists, et cetera. We are looking at a solution-focused way of tackling these issues, rather than focusing on who provides the care.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, as part of a solution-focused diagnosis, NICE has recently made a recommendation to reduce the waiting list for breast cancer diagnosis by suggesting the use of magnetic diagnosis. What acceptance will the department give to this proposal from NICE?

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

I regularly read recommendations from NICE, as do the relevant policy officials. Yesterday, for example, I was asked to the review the NICE business plan for the next few years, so the department will review the NICE recommendations. However, if the noble Baroness will allow me, I will have to write to her on the exact details.