Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the evidential threshold for the General Medical Council to pass on evidence to the police of malpractice in consultations by unregistered medical professionals from requiring an intent to deceive to recklessness.
Answered by Will Quince
There are no current plans to make a specific assessment. On 24 March 2021, we published ‘Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public’, which sought views on the proposals to reform the regulatory framework for health and care professionals. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published shortly and will provide further information, including on proposed changes to the protection of title offences.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to respond to the Second Report of the Health and Social Care Committee entitled The impact of body image on mental and physical health, published on 2 August 2022, HC 114.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
We are finalising the Government’s response to the Committee’s report and we expect it to be published in early 2023.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department plans to take steps to provide advice to people travelling to Turkey for (a) aesthetic and (b) cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Caroline Johnson
The Government urges anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure to find a reputable, safe and competent practitioner subject to statutory regulation or on an accredited voluntary register overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. Using a registered practitioner provides assurance that they are appropriately qualified, registered and insured.
Those considering a cosmetic procedure abroad are urged to research the standards and qualifications which apply in that country. Individuals should ensure that adequate insurance arrangements are in place and that they have access to appropriate aftercare in the United Kingdom. NHS.UK has published guidance for people considering travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery, as well as general safety advice and information on individual procedures. The Royal College of Surgeons and the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons also provide information online.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress her Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals to amend the licensing requirements for cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Caroline Johnson
Officials are considering how a future licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England might be implemented. Any future licensing requirements would be subject to stakeholder engagement and public consultation to inform the scope and details of the scheme. No timetable for implementation has yet been determined.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the (a) BE FAST mnemonic used in the United States and (b) the FAST test used in the UK in assisting members of the public in detecting symptoms of stroke.
Answered by Will Quince
There are no plans to make a comparative assessment. Internal analysis of the Act FAST campaign for stroke suggests that the campaign has delivered 4,400 additional thrombolysis treatments since its launch in 2009.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects NICE's review of Evusheld to be concluded.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
On 10 August 2022, the Department referred tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld) to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to evaluate its clinical and cost effectiveness for preventing COVID-19. Between 29 July and 12 August, NICE consulted with stakeholders on the suggested remit, draft scope and list of consultees and commentators.
NICE has commenced this evaluation and currently expects to publish draft guidance in April 2023, with final guidance to follow in May 2023. In discussion with AstraZeneca, NICE is expediting the appraisal process by bringing forward the deadline for the manufacturer’s evidence submission.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is legal for practitioners who are not GMC-registered to conduct consultations with patients in the UK.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
Doctors practising medicine in the United Kingdom must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold a licence to practise. However, the GMC does not legally define what constitutes a consultation, which can depend on the individual purpose of the consultation. Medical practitioners who are not registered with the GMC can, in specific contexts, legally conduct consultations with patients in the UK.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2022 to Question 18823 on Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Licensing, when he expects the public consultation on the future licensing scheme to commence.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
Officials are currently considering how a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures could be implemented. This includes a potential timetable for a public consultation to inform the development of the scheme.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether practitioners of aesthetic treatments are required to undertake a mandatory risk assessment of each patient prior to treatment.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
Practitioners carrying out non-surgical cosmetic treatments are not required to undertake a mandatory risk assessment of patients. However, we encourage anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner and reflect on the possible impact of the procedure on their physical and mental health.
Choosing a practitioner subject to statutory regulation or on a voluntary register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority provides assurance that they hold the requisite knowledge, qualifications and insurance to safely perform the procedures being offered.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on the Government's proposal to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
In April 2022, we introduced legislation through the Health and Care Act 2022 to provide powers for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England. The scope and details of any future licensing scheme will be set out in secondary legislation and subject to stakeholder engagement and public consultation. Officials are currently assessing the implementation of these plans.