Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to ensure that living well with HIV is prioritised in local commissioning by integrated care boards.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
HIV services are open access, and any adults with a diagnosis of HIV can self-refer. Any service diagnosing HIV in adults can refer to any specialised HIV service provider.
As set out in the NHS England Roadmap, adult specialised HIV inpatient and outpatient services have been identified by NHS England as key areas for greater integrated care systems (ICS) leadership and integrated care boards (ICBs). Integrating the commissioning of HIV treatment services with ICBs will allow local systems to simplify and strengthen HIV care pathways with other services through effective local partnerships, including psychosocial support and mental health services, for a more holistic approach to care.
The Service Specification for Adult HIV services (2013) sets out the standards of care that HIV providers are expected to meet. Services are expected to support people living with HIV to live well by collaborating with other health, social care, and community providers. Since most people living with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy have a near normal life expectancy and may develop additional needs associated with an increased risk of other long-term conditions, providers are expected to ensure that people have access to relevant screening and assessment for long-term conditions, and are sign-posted to non-HIV services where appropriate.
ICBs are responsible for developing a plan for meeting the health needs of the population, managing the National Health Service budget, and arranging for the provision of health services in the ICS area.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the import of dogs with cropped ears.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is already an offence in England and Wales to carry out a non-exempted mutilation, including the cropping of a dog’s ears or the docking of their tails. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 creates tougher penalties for anyone convicted of such an offence face, either being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.
We are aware that Selaine Saxby MP has introduced a Private Members’ Bill on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. In accordance with Parliamentary convention, the Government will set out its formal position on this Bill when it receives its Second Reading.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to publish a summary of the outcome of the consultation entitled Changes to the rules on bringing pets into Great Britain.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We are carefully reviewing the feedback gathered from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders, and a summary will be published in due course.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Answer of 6 September 2023 to Question 195098 on Buildings: Disability, on what date he plans to publish the results of research his Department commissioned into demographics, ergonomic requirements and experiences of disabled people, as part of a full review relating to Part M of the Building Regulations.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
Announcements will be made in due course.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require local authorities to adopt unadopted roads that are (a) in a state of disrepair and (b) subject to public right of way.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The position under the 1980 Highways Act has not changed under successive governments.
The Department has no plans to review those parts of the Highways Act 1980 which cover the process for local highway authority adoption of private roads into the public road network. The legislation ensures that any new roads that are adopted and then maintained at public expense are built to the required standard. The Department provides advice to developers and highway authorities on these matters, which can be found on gov.uk at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adoption-of-roads-by-highway-authorities.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of NHS supplies of (a) Methylphenidate, (b) Lisdexamfetamine, (c) Guanfacine and (d) other Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medications.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Shortages of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) including methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and guanfacine have primarily been driven by regulatory issues at key manufacturing sites and capacity constraints at third party manufacturing sites, compounded by steady increases in demand. These issues have resulted in global supply disruptions. The Department has been working closely with the respective manufacturers and some issues including shortages of guanfacine have now been resolved. However, we know that there continue to be disruptions to the supply of some other medicines, which should resolve by April 2024.
We have well-established processes to manage supply issues and continue to work with the respective manufacturers and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the supply disruptions are resolved as soon as possible.
We understand how frustrating and distressing medicine shortages can be and we want to assure patients that we are working with the respective manufacturers to resolve the issues with ADHD medicine supply in the United Kingdom as soon as possible and to help ensure patients are able to access these medicines in the short and long term.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the global supply of (a) Methylphenidate, (b) Lisdexamfetamine, (c) Guanfacine and (d) other Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medications.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Shortages of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) including methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and guanfacine have primarily been driven by regulatory issues at key manufacturing sites and capacity constraints at third party manufacturing sites, compounded by steady increases in demand. These issues have resulted in global supply disruptions. The Department has been working closely with the respective manufacturers and some issues including shortages of guanfacine have now been resolved. However, we know that there continue to be disruptions to the supply of some other medicines, which should resolve by April 2024.
We have well-established processes to manage supply issues and continue to work with the respective manufacturers and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the supply disruptions are resolved as soon as possible.
We understand how frustrating and distressing medicine shortages can be and we want to assure patients that we are working with the respective manufacturers to resolve the issues with ADHD medicine supply in the United Kingdom as soon as possible and to help ensure patients are able to access these medicines in the short and long term.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to reduce the medication initiation waiting time for people who receive a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
With respect to referral and treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), healthcare professionals, commissioners and providers should have due regard to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline NG87: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management. This guideline, updated in September 2019, aims to improve recognition and diagnosis, as well as the quality of care and support for people with ADHD. The guideline also covers considerations on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD.
More specifically, the guideline states that for children aged five years old and over and for adults, medication should be offered if ADHD symptoms are still causing a significant impairment in at least one domain after environmental modifications have been implemented and reviewed. The guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87
Overall, the decision and timescale for initiating medication should be a clinical decision based on the individual patient.
We are aware of current disruptions to the supply of medicines used for the management of ADHD. The Department has been working closely with the respective manufacturers to ensure that the supply disruptions are resolved as soon as possible.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 6 September 2023 to Question 195098 on Buildings: Disability, when he plans to publish the results of the research on the demographics, ergonomic requirements and experiences of disabled people commissioned as part of the review relating to part M of the building regulations.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 195098 on 6 September 2023.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including receipt of PIP as a qualifying requirement for the Energy Company Obligation scheme.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
ECO4 includes flexible eligibility (ECO Flex), which allows local authorities and energy suppliers to refer households even if they do not meet the eligible benefits criteria. Households may qualify for support if they have a severe long-term health condition which could be affected by living in a cold home.
The Great British Insulation Scheme aims to drive delivery of the most cost-effective insulation to a wider pool of households.