Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings he has had with (a) NHS clinical teams specialising in the care and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), (b) researchers, (c) patients and (d) patient group representatives on ME/CFS.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024/25. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.
In 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the management and diagnosis of ME/CFS. The NICE’s guideline provides recommendations on principles of care for people with severe ME/CFS, including hospital care, and adapting a multidisciplinary approach with access to a range of health and social care professionals based on needs. Although NICE guidance is not mandatory, the Government does expect healthcare commissioners to take the guidelines fully into account in designing services to meet the needs of their local population, and to work towards their implementation over time.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not yet had any meetings with National Health Service clinical teams specialising in myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), ME/CFS researchers, patients, or patient group representatives.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to produce a national myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) strategy.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024/25. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.
In 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the management and diagnosis of ME/CFS. The NICE’s guideline provides recommendations on principles of care for people with severe ME/CFS, including hospital care, and adapting a multidisciplinary approach with access to a range of health and social care professionals based on needs. Although NICE guidance is not mandatory, the Government does expect healthcare commissioners to take the guidelines fully into account in designing services to meet the needs of their local population, and to work towards their implementation over time.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not yet had any meetings with National Health Service clinical teams specialising in myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), ME/CFS researchers, patients, or patient group representatives.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on support for research into (a) care and (b) treatment for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) specifically on research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Departmental officials are working with the NIHR on behalf of my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The NIHR and the Medical Research Council are committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment of long COVID and ME/CFS, and are actively exploring next steps for research in these areas.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress his Department has made on building a new healthcare facility to replace Weybridge Community Hospital.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Since the fire at Weybridge Community Hospital in 2017, the NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been working on plans to develop a replacement health centre. The planning application is due to be submitted shortly, following a public consultation to be held this month. Pending the approval of the planning application, the ICB will then submit a business case seeking approval for the funding for the new facility, which will be delivered by NHS Property Services. As with all schemes, this will need to be considered alongside other capital investment priorities, in the light of the forthcoming Spending Review.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on reviewing guidance for the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (b) treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We have had no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on reviewing its guidance for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
The NICE develops its guidance independently and keeps its published guidelines under active surveillance so that it is able to update its recommendations in light of any significant new evidence. Decisions on updates to existing guidance are made by the NICE’s Prioritisation Board in line with the NICE’s published common prioritisation framework. The NICE does not currently have plans to update this guideline.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
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 effectiveness of the public information campaign for RSV vaccination uptake; and what further communication he plans for (a) people over 80 and (b) other ineligible groups.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
To raise awareness of the potential vaccination benefits and increase awareness of the programmes amongst health professionals, parents, carers, and the wider public, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides a comprehensive suite of public facing resources and assets. This includes information leaflets in multiple languages and accessible formats, for instance easy read, British Sign Language, and braille. The UKHSA also provides comprehensive clinical guidance, including e-learning programmes and training for healthcare professionals.
Following the public information campaign, as of 30 September 2024, 663,674 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations have been administered across England since the programme commenced on 1 September 2024. This includes 611,527 vaccines given to the older adult cohort and 39,223 to the maternity cohort. Statistics on the RSV vaccination programme for England will continue to be published weekly, and are available at the following link:
www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/vaccinations-rsv/
Consideration is being given to development and publication of an asset to inform people who are currently not eligible.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to introduce the Oliver McGowan training Code of Practice.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Under the Health and Care Act 2022, a Code of Practice must be issued to guide providers registered with the Care Quality Commission on how to meet their statutory requirement on learning disability and autism training under the same Act. The Oliver McGowan draft Code of Practice was consulted on last year. We will set out further information on our plans for the Code of Practice in due course.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies for the (a) care and (b) treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) of the report entitled Maeve Boothby O’Neill: Prevention of Future Deaths Report, published on 8 October 2024.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
Our deepest sympathies go out to Maeve’s family and friends in this tragic case. Every patient deserves to have their condition understood and treated to the highest standard, and this is a heart-wrenching example of a patient falling through the cracks.
The Department has received a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report, which we are currently reviewing. It is important that we learn the lessons from every PFD report, and we will consider the report carefully before responding appropriately.
We are committed to improving the care and support for all those affected by myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It is a priority to publish the response to the 2023 consultation on the ME/CFS interim delivery plan. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024/25.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what advice he has received from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities on the harm to health of drinking in public houses compared to (a) private residences and (b) other settings; and whether he plans to introduce an alcohol harm reduction strategy.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people in living longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to understand how to best reduce alcohol related harms.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish a mental ill health strategy.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has no plans to publish a mental ill health strategy. We will fix the broken system to ensure that we give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health, and that people can be confident in accessing high quality mental health support when they need it.
As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, this Government will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, which will also help ease pressure on the busy mental health services. We will also introduce a specialist mental health professional in every school in England and roll out Young Futures hubs in every community.
The Mental Health Bill announced in the King’s Speech will deliver the Government’s manifesto commitment to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983. It will give patients greater choice, autonomy, enhanced rights and support, and ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect throughout treatment.