Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with representatives from the Welsh Government on the potential implications of the joint report by UK Health Security Agency and the Office for National Statistics on the effect of the summer 2022 record temperatures on excess mortality, published 7 October 2022.
Answered by Neil O'Brien
We continue to have regular discussions with colleagues from the devolved administrations on a range of issues, including the impact of heatwaves. We are currently assessing evidence and actions in response to this summer’s temperatures, including the report of 7 October.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the joint report by the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for National Statistics showing the effect of the summer 2022 record temperatures on excess mortality, published 7 October 2022; and what discussions he had had with Cabinet colleagues on this matter.
Answered by Neil O'Brien
We continue to have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on health issues, including the impact of heatwaves. We are currently assessing evidence and actions in response to this summer’s temperatures, including the report of 7 October.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to investigate the impact of rising temperatures on mortality.
Answered by Neil O'Brien
The UK Health Security Agency has established the Centre for Climate and Health Security which will investigate the impact of rising temperatures and identify and promote interventions to protect public health. The Centre for Climate and Health Security is developing the Single Adverse Weather and Health Plan, which is expected to be published in 2023. The Plan aims to improve existing guidance on reducing health risks associated with adverse weather events, including extreme heat. It will also address the health risks identified in the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment and contribute to prevention and adaptation actions in the health sector and local communities. In addition, the Plan will update the evidence on the health impacts of climate change using the latest UK Climate Projections and include the projected number of heat-related deaths per year.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that the cost of energy remains affordable for people reliant on home dialysis.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Provisions are in place for patients receiving haemodialysis treatment at home to be reimbursed by their usual dialysis provider for additional direct energy costs as a result of their treatment.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to help support kidney patients on home dialysis with energy costs after the end of the Energy Price Guarantee.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Provisions are in place for patients receiving haemodialysis treatment at home to be reimbursed by their usual dialysis provider for additional direct energy costs as a result of their treatment.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
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 help social care staff can access ongoing learning opportunities to specialise in dementia care.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
No formal assessment has been made. Through Skills for Care, the Government provides a range of resources and toolkits for social care providers to attract, train and retain staff. This includes the Workforce Development Fund, which enables employers to apply for financial support towards the development of staff and can include training staff to care for those with dementia.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of findings of the APPG on Dementia's latest report Workforce Matters: Putting People Affected by Dementia at the Heart of Care.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
No formal assessment has been made. Through Skills for Care, the Government provides a range of resources and toolkits for social care providers to attract, train and retain staff. This includes the Workforce Development Fund, which enables employers to apply for financial support towards the development of staff and can include training staff to care for those with dementia.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed 20 per cent fee increase for registrants to the Health and Care Professional Council.
Answered by Will Quince
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is independent from Government and is responsible for setting its registration fees policy. Any changes to its fees are included in rules which must be laid before Parliament.
On 22 September 2022, the HCPC opened a consultation on a proposal to increase the fees it charges registrants and applicants. The HCPC published an online equality impact assessment alongside its consultation, which is due to close on 15 December 2022.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the geographic distribution of secondary care hepatology services in England.
Answered by James Morris
In 2017, Public Health England published ‘The 2nd Atlas of variation in risk factors and healthcare for liver disease in England’, which collated the distribution of liver services by hospital trusts in England. The services were categorised through criteria such as adequate staffing levels and assessed against liver disease hospital admission and population mortality rates.
The Atlas showed variation in levels of current provision of liver disease services as defined by whole time equivalent staffing levels, with 16 district general hospitals meeting the criteria for an adequately staffed acute service. The maps illustrated the need for greater provision of liver services in the deprived areas with the highest rates of liver disease morbidity and mortality.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
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 14 June 2022 to Question 15354 on Evusheld, whether his Department has received advice from clinicians on the most appropriate option for the use of Evusheld.
Answered by Maggie Throup
We are currently considering the advice received.