Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much Barnett Consequential funding the Welsh Government will receive from spending announced in the NHS Dental Recovery Plan for England.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom
This is a fully funded £200 million plan, and the National Health Service spending totals will be set at the budget, in the usual way. As with all England-only health funding, anything related to this plan will be subject to Barnett Consequential funding in the usual manner within the block grant.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on its long-term strategy to prevent and reduce obesity in Wales, including on (a) improving and enhancing front of pack nutrition labelling on pre-packed products and (b) creating conditions which incentivise advertising companies to promote healthier alternatives and products which support positive choices.
Answered by Neil O'Brien - Shadow Minister (Policy Renewal and Development)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Devolved Governments on measures to improve health and wellbeing across the United Kingdom. These include discussions on domestic strategies and the delivery of UK-wide policies to reduce obesity, including food labelling and supporting consumers to make healthier choices.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the UK's 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance; and what progress his Department has made on reducing the impact of resistance on animals.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The United Kingdom’s 20 year vision to contain and control antimicrobial resistance (antimicrobial resistance) by 2040, and the first in a series of five year national action plans (NAPs), both published in 2019, were co-developed with the devolved administrations, including the Welsh Government. The vision and NAP take a ‘One Health’ and whole of Government approach. The Welsh Government leads on one of the eight programmes within the NAP and sits on the UK wide delivery board, which provides oversight of delivery. Ministers last met to discuss progress in tackling the threat of antimicrobial resistance at a Ministerial round-table in May 2022. Working closely with the devolved administrations, Government has begun the process of developing the next AMR NAP, 2024-2029, which will be designed to maintain progress towards delivery of the 20 year vision.
The UK’s annual report on Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance, Sales and Surveillance (UK-VARSS 2021) showed that, in 2021, the UK recorded the lowest antibiotic use in food producing animals to date and that, since 2014, sales of veterinary antibiotics have reduced by 55% and sales of antibiotics critical in human health decreased for the seventh consecutive year, falling by 83%. Reflecting this, the UK has measured overall decreasing trends of resistance in healthy poultry and pigs since AMR monitoring began in 2014.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Health Promotion Taskforce will publish its progress on plans to tackle health inequalities.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The Health Promotion Taskforce is a Cabinet Committee. It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions in Cabinet and its Committees is not shared publicly. Any actions agreed by the Taskforce will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Health Promotion Taskforce will be given a remit to act outside of the Department of Health and Social Care.
Answered by Maggie Throup
As a Cabinet Committee, the Health Promotion Taskforce can take collective decisions in areas which are determinants of health beyond the remit of Department to reduce health disparities.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Health Disparities White Paper will commit to cross-government action on the social determinants on health.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The health disparities white paper will review the factors which affect people’s health and how health inequalities can be addressed. The specific policy content of the white paper will be confirmed in due course. In addition, the Health Promotion Taskforce has been established to co-ordinate cross-Government efforts to improve the nation’s health.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to fund research into mitochondria cells and the effect upon them in relation to sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. We will continue to work with stakeholders to consider how best to support continued research into ME/CFS.