Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is planning to fund a public health campaign to let people know how to protect themselves against the effects of air pollution.
Answered by Steve Brine
The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to make sure the best evidence and information is available to the public. Public Health England (PHE) has developed a work programme to support national and local actions to reduce the health burden in England attributable to air pollution. The programme includes raising awareness of the health effects of air pollution and supporting related work of national and local Government.
In addition, the Department, NHS England and PHE’s Health and Wellbeing Alliance are undertaking a feasibility study on behavioural insights, which aims to improve understanding of how people, particularly vulnerable populations, best receive communications during localised events of elevated air pollution. Results are expected later this year. Currently, PHE disseminates Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs United Kingdom Air Information Resource’s tweets issued during significant high air pollution episodes through PHE’s social media account.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Government on steps to ensure that information concerning levels of air pollution reaches children, parents and schools; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Steve Brine
The Department of Health and Social Care, including Public Health England (PHE), is fully engaged in discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the development of the Government’s Clean Air Strategy at ministerial and official level. Communication of the best information and advice on air pollution to protect vulnerable groups, including children, will be an important part of the implementation of the Government’s Clean Air Strategy.
The Department, NHS England and PHE’s Health and Wellbeing Alliance are undertaking a feasibility study on behavioural insights, which aims to improve understanding of how people, particularly vulnerable populations, best receive communications during localised events of elevated air pollution. This includes children, parents and schools. Results are expected later this year. Currently, PHE disseminates Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs United Kingdom Air Information Resource’s tweets issued during significant high air pollution episodes through PHE’s social media account.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on encouraging clinical commissioning groups to require providers to complete the Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) self-assessment tool and apply for accreditation with UKAS and achieve accreditation within the duration of their contract.
Answered by Steve Brine
NHS England does not collect information about the progress made on encouraging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to require providers to complete the Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) self-assessment tool and apply for accreditation with United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and achieve accreditation within the duration of their contract.
However, Commissioning Services for People with Hearing Loss – a Framework for CCGs, published in July 2016, strongly encourages CCGs to expect providers to have completed the IQIPS self-assessment tool and applied for accreditation with UKAS, and achieve accreditation within the duration of their contract. This is reflected in the model service specification for adults.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to debate of 24 March 2017, HC Deb Volume 623, col 1111, on cochlear implantation, what progress his Department has made on finalising new proposals from NICE on cochlear implants.
Answered by Steve Brine
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently received a significant amount of information regarding its published technology appraisal guidance on cochlear implants and as a result it needs to conduct a more in-depth consideration which has resulted in a delay. NICE is in the process of analysing the evidence and aims to go out to consultation on a Review Proposal in early 2018. The Review decision will be published after the consultation.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will ensure that physical activity programmes will be funded at a commensurate level to that made available for nutritional schemes in phase two of the Child Obesity Strategy.
Answered by Steve Brine
Physical activity and sport are a key part of our Childhood Obesity Plan and have an important role in maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people. Through the plan we have committed to invest revenue from the soft drinks industry levy in child health and physical activity, including doubling the primary PE and sport premium to £320 million a year from the 2017-18 academic year and £100 million in 2018-19 for the healthy pupils capital fund.
We will consider future funding as we continue to deliver our world-leading plan.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Government has plans to create a national all-encompassing campaign to promote the importance and value of physical activity in combating the child obesity to children across all areas.
Answered by Steve Brine
We welcome the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a fit and healthy childhood’s report on “Physical activity in early childhood” which provides a valuable contribution to the debate as we continue to deliver our world-leading Childhood Obesity Plan.
Physical activity is a key part of our plan and has an important role in maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people. We continue to invest in school sport through programmes such as the primary PE and sport premium, School Games, and Change4Life Sports Clubs, to encourage children to be active.
Local authorities are being given over £16 billion to spend on public health over the five years of the 2015 Spending Review. We know that many are prioritising action to tackle obesity and increase physical activity according to their local need.
Public Health England has developed “Everybody Active Every Day”, a national implementation framework for physical activity. This will support increased physical activity in local communities by: focussing across the whole life-course; consolidating evidence and providing a structured approach; and enabling local and national organisations to work together.