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 the provision of dentistry in Halton in the last (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) 12 months and (d) two years.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government plans to tackle the challenges patients face when trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

From 1 April 2023, the responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. The NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB is responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need, and determine the priorities for investment across the ICB area. NHS Dental Statistics, published by NHS Digital, provides data on dental activity in England. The latest annual report is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statistics

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 using Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme funding to employ GPs.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme is subject to annual review as part of the consultation on the GP Contract, with both professional and patient representatives. NHS England works closely with the Department to implement any changes identified as part of this process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate his Department has made of when Halton Hospital Campus will be completed.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is concerned by the condition of healthcare infrastructure at Halton Hospital, and across the National Health Service estate. We recognise that change is desperately needed to tackle unsuitable facilities, and to deliver an NHS that is fit for the future.

We recognise that strategic, value for money investments in capital projects are critical to providing good quality care. In line with the Government’s plans to deliver an NHS fit for the future, and as part of our internal Spending Review preparations, the Department is reviewing capital requirements. Timescales associated with the Spending Review are yet to be confirmed.

However, Warrington and Halton Hospitals have received funding through NHS England’s Targeted Investment Fund for the reconfiguration of theatres, wards, and the endoscopy unit, to deliver additional capacity and provide patients with the care they deserve.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the regional disparities in Housing First services.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The previous Government commissioned an evaluation of the Housing First pilots, which is currently ongoing. Reports are made available here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of publishing a strategy to help tackle youth homelessness.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high and too many families are living in temporary accommodation. We will take the action needed to tackle this issue and develop a long-term, cross-government strategy, through working with mayors, councils and other key stakeholders, to end homelessness for good. Critical to tackling homelessness is building more affordable homes. We will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will he make an assessment of the adequacy of NHS employment opportunities for newly qualified GPs.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has made a number of recruitment and retention schemes available to boost the general practice (GP) workforce. While many newly qualified practitioners will subsequently take roles in GPs, others will contribute to the National Health Service in different ways or may choose to work elsewhere.

The Government recently announced changes to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme which allows primary care networks to recruit GPs through the scheme for 2024/25. This is an emergency measure for 2024/25 whilst the Government works with the profession to identify a longer term solution.

Accelerating construction work and lower carbon construction vehicles

Ban trophy hunting imports