Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of instructing the General Medical Council to regulate (a) physician and (b) anaesthesia associates on the quality of care.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Introducing statutory regulation for these roles will enhance patient safety. Regulation will provide a standardised framework of governance and assurance for clinical practice and professional conduct, to enable anaesthesia associates (AAs) and physician associates (Pas) to make a greater contribution to patient care.
The assessment of the appropriate regulatory body for PA and AA regulation was completed in 2019 following a public consultation. Most respondents to the consultation were in favour of the General Medical Council (GMC) taking on regulation.
Regulation by the GMC will mean that the organisation will have responsibility and oversight of doctors, AAs and PAs, allowing them to take a holistic approach to the education, training and standards of all three roles. This will enable a more coherent and co-ordinated approach to regulation and, by making it easier for employers, patients, and the public to understand the relationship between these roles and doctors, help to embed them in the workforce.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to help support reconstruction in Nepal.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the recent earthquake in Nepal, the UK supported the initial humanitarian response through the distribution of prepositioned relief items, support to broader UN coordination and through contributions to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Disaster Response Emergency Fund. Subsequently, the UK has made contributions of £200,000 to the World Food Programme to help deliver unconditional humanitarian cash to 1,730 families, and a contribution of £200,000 to the Start Fund Nepal which is working with local governments to construct temporary shelters, providing winterisation support to affected communities and helping the most vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of cat abductions.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We understand the devastating impact that the theft of a pet can have. We have already introduced legislation to extend compulsory microchipping to cats in England from 10 June 2024. The new legislation is intended to increase the likelihood that lost or stolen pet cats can be reunited with their keeper.
The Government launched a Pet Theft Taskforce in May 2021 in response to concerns about a perceived increase in pet theft during covid restrictions. The Taskforce published its findings and recommendations in September of that year, including the creation of a specific offence. We are making improvements to the cat and dog microchipping regime in England in line with the taskforce’s recommendations.
The Honourable Member for Southend-West introduced a Pet Abduction Bill on 6 December and I welcome her interest in improving animal welfare. In accordance with parliamentary convention, the Government will set out its formal position on this Bill when it receives its Second Reading.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on reports of Israel’s use of artificial intelligence to identify targets in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have met with a range of senior Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog, to discuss Israel's approach to the campaign in Gaza. They have stressed the critical importance of abiding by International Humanitarian Law, minimising civilian casualties, and of acting in a way that delivers long-term security. It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on military intelligence matters.