Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to increase radiotherapy cancer treatment (a) capacity and (b) access; what assessment he has made of the role of radiotherapy treatment services in (i) reducing waiting times and (ii) tackling the cancer treatment backlog; and if he will meet with leading radiotherapy professionals to discuss the backlog in cancer care and treatment.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
In 2022/23, NHS England and NHS Improvement intend to undertake a capacity and demand review of external beam radiotherapy capacity, to support local systems to plan radiotherapy provision, including the replacement of equipment. NHS England and NHS Improvement have committed to review the payment arrangements for radiotherapy, to ensure that appropriate incentives are in place to encourage providers to increase access to new treatments and techniques and to upgrade and replace equipment.
New radiotherapy methods are being delivered to address current backlogs through targeted treatment in fewer hospital visits, minimising patient time in hospital. Radiotherapy activity is also included in the Elective Recovery Fund, which aims to support National Health Service providers increase capacity in elective services, including for cancer treatment.
On 18 May 2022, I met with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Radiotherapy to discuss a range of issues, including the backlog in cancer care. The meeting included radiotherapy professionals.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
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 adequacy of psychosocial provision for people with Cystic Fibrosis.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
NHS England’s adult and paediatric cystic fibrosis service specifications set out national standards for cystic fibrosis services, including the importance of access to multidisciplinary teams involving appropriately trained clinical psychologists and social workers. There are regular review meetings between the regional commissioning teams and providers to ensure compliance with service standards. Those with long term conditions such as cystic fibrosis can also access psychological support via Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services.
Health Education England has supported a 60% expansion in the clinical psychology training intake in the past two years. Trainees can undertake specialist placements and upon qualification take up posts across a wide range of settings, including working with adults and children with cystic fibrosis.
The white paper, ‘People at the Heart of Care’, is supported by at least £500 million to develop and support the adult social care workforce over the next three years. We are also supporting the social care workforce through the development of a post-graduate mental health social work programme, the Education Support Grant and Social Work Bursaries.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will (a) make a comparative assessment of the adequacy of respite support for carers in (i) England and (ii) Northern Ireland and (b) publish the findings from that assessment.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
We have no plans to make an assessment. However, we will invest up to £25 million to improve the support provided to unpaid carers in England. We expect this funding will identify and test a range of new and existing interventions, which could include respite and breaks, peer group and wellbeing support. We will also work with the sector, including local authorities, to explore different models of respite, how respite services are accessed by carers and any barriers which carers may experience in accessing these services.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the NHS takes to ensure that the costs of abortion services provided on the NHS by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service are an accurate reflection of the costs involved.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The information requested is not held centrally. Contracting and funding abortion services and assurance of spend is a matter for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). It is for CCGs to take appropriate steps to ensure the costs of abortion services provided through the National Health Service by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service are an accurate reflection of the costs involved.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Social Care, what steps the NHS takes to monitor and review its funding of abortions carried out by third-party providers.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The information requested is not collected centrally. Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for commissioning abortion services and monitoring funding and contracts.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how her Department (a) records and (b) reports on the allocation of NHS funding for abortion; and whether that information is presented in a searchable format.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The information requested is not collected centrally. Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for commissioning abortion services and monitoring funding and contracts.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how NHS funding on abortion is recorded and reported by his Department; and whether that information is available in a searchable format.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The information requested is not collected centrally. Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for commissioning abortion services and monitoring funding and contracts.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding the NHS has spent on repeat abortions over the last year.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The information requested is not collected centrally. Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for commissioning abortion services and monitoring funding and contracts.