Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his Department’s 10 Year Health Plan will support patients with multiple sclerosis in receiving adequate (a) care and (b) support.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The three shifts outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan will support people with long-term conditions, including those with multiple sclerosis, to better manage their condition and access services closer to home. For example, it will empower them to access their medical history and allow them to book and manage their appointments and medication.
In addition, by 2028/29, neighbourhood health teams will be organised around the needs of their patients. The plan will create joined-up working across hospitals and into community settings, with multi-disciplinary teams who can provide wrap-around support services.
By 2030, one million patients with long-term conditions will be offered personal health budgets, which will enable them to use National Health Service resources and to determine the care that best suits their needs.
Patients will be able to self-refer to services where clinically appropriate through My Specialist on the NHS App. This will accelerate their access to treatment and support. The NHS App will provide access to advice, guidance, self-care support, and appointment management. Patients will be able to manage their care in one place, giving them direct access to, and preference over the services they need.
As part of the NHS App, My Medicines will enable patients to manage their prescriptions, and My Health will enable patients to monitor their symptoms and bring all their data into one place.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the NHS England Getting It Right First Time neurology programme on the (a) quality and (b) consistency of multiple sclerosis care.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) National Specialty Report made recommendations designed to improve neurology services nationally and to support the National Health Service to deliver care more equitably across the country. The National Specialty Report highlighted differences in how services are delivered and offered an unprecedented opportunity to share successful initiatives between trusts to improve patient services nationally.
Building on the GIRFT National Specialty Report, the Neurology Transformation Programme has developed a model of integrated care for neurology services to support integrated care boards to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including those with multiple sclerosis (MS). This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions.
The Neurology Transformation Programme has developed a national data dashboard for integrated care systems to monitor delivery of MS care, including for disease-modifying therapies. Additionally, NHS England has also developed guidance for systems on improving access to disease-modifying treatments for MS closer to home, which includes successful delivery models and good practice case studies.
The Neurology Transformation Programme is working with the National Clinical Director for Neurology and the Neurology Clinical Reference Group to develop a revised service specification for neurology. The updated service specification will further build on the specific recommendations in the GIRFT report and will include specific guidance for pathways for MS and other neuroinflammatory conditions.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to consult health professionals as part of the changes to the Carr-Hill formula funding model for GP practices.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The review of the Carr-Hill formula will draw on a range of evidence and advice from experts, such as the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation, and will involve consultation with the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association. Further detail on the review will be confirmed in due course.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing non-cash incentives for voluntary blood donors on donation volumes.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT has a Donor Recognition Scheme (DRS) that thanks donors, using personalised emails at various milestones, digital badges, and for higher donation thresholds, distributes pin badges and formal certificates. Further information on the DRS is available at the following link:
https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/recognising-donors/
NHSBT’s strategic objective is to grow and diversify the donor base to meet evolving hospital needs, and to reduce health inequalities. To support this, the DRS is being reviewed. The new approach will shift the emphasis from recognition alone to retention, with a stronger focus on engaging newer donors. In the coming year, a series of pilots will shape a new donor recognition and retention proposition that will improve access and engagement of donors, and build a more sustainable donor base. These pilots will play a critical role in shaping a scheme that supports NHSBT’s goals of equitable access, long-term engagement, and sustainability in blood donation.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered launching a time-limited regional pilot of a blood-donor loyalty programme that awards perks to donors.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT has a Donor Recognition Scheme (DRS) that thanks donors, using personalised emails at various milestones, digital badges, and for higher donation thresholds, distributes pin badges and formal certificates. Further information on the DRS is available at the following link:
https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/recognising-donors/
NHSBT’s strategic objective is to grow and diversify the donor base to meet evolving hospital needs, and to reduce health inequalities. To support this, the DRS is being reviewed. The new approach will shift the emphasis from recognition alone to retention, with a stronger focus on engaging newer donors. In the coming year, a series of pilots will shape a new donor recognition and retention proposition that will improve access and engagement of donors, and build a more sustainable donor base. These pilots will play a critical role in shaping a scheme that supports NHSBT’s goals of equitable access, long-term engagement, and sustainability in blood donation.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps (a) his Department and (b) NHS Blood and Transplant are taking to increase the number of blood donations.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT has been using several initiatives to increase blood donations and in turn improve blood stocks.
For instance, the Department provided seed-funding to support NHSBT’s work to increase collection capacity and resilience, including the new Brixton Donor Centre which opened in December 2024. Additionally, the newly re-opened donor centre in Southampton and the Brighton donor centre that will open later in the year will increase NHSBT’s capacity to collect more blood.
National Blood Week, between 9 and 13 June 2025, saw campaigns seeking to recruit donors, particularly for blood groups where demand is high, and to increase the number of bookings. Messaging included a strong call to action for a million people to become regular donors.
NHSBT has a hotline to enable priority donors, which are currently O negative, B negative, and Ro donors, to find an available appointment. This function will be available for online and app bookings later in June 2025.
A Marketing Automation Tool was launched in September 2024 that will enable NHSBT to personalise the messages it sends to donors so that over the coming year, more of the communication donors receive will be relevant to them, making it easier for them to book an appointment at a time and place that suits them.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on access to fertility treatment for same sex couples.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has not had recent discussions with the Minister for Women and Equalities on access to fertility treatment for same sex couples.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients continue to receive ADHD medication without cost when their shared care agreement has come to an unpredicted end.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to medication services for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Services are underpinned by relevant guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which provides evidence-based guidance for the health and care system on best practice.
It is for the responsible clinician to decide on the most appropriate treatment plan to manage ADHD, in discussion with their patient. This decision is based on the clinician’s expertise regarding treatment options, evidence, risk and benefits and the patient’s personal circumstances as part of a shared decision-making process. The NICE guideline on the diagnosis and management of ADHD provides recommendations that healthcare professionals should account for when considering treatment options.
Shared care within the National Health Service refers to an arrangement whereby a specialist doctor formally transfers responsibility for all or some aspects of their patient’s care, such as prescription of medication, over to the patient’s general practitioner (GP).
The General Medical Council (GMC), which regulates and sets standards for doctors in the United Kingdom, has made it clear that GPs cannot be compelled to enter into a shared care agreement. Shared care is not part of the GP contract and as such, participation is voluntary. GP practices may decline such requests on clinical or capacity grounds. A GP who has previously agreed to a shared care agreement but can no longer support it must provide a clear rationale for their decision. Both the GP and the specialist clinician share responsibility for ensuring continuity of care for the patient.
ADHD medication prescribed by an NHS doctor is subject to prescription charging, unless the patient meets the criteria for a prescription charge exemption. This is the case regardless of a shared care agreement being in place.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish rates of sectioning under the Mental Health Act 1983 by diagnosis of (a) bipolar and (b) other mental health conditions for each of the last five years.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
An individual is detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 if they pose a serious risk to themselves or others and they require care in a hospital setting. Detentions are not made based on diagnoses of severe mental health conditions.
NHS England is currently exploring a methodology to analyse diagnoses of individuals detained under the Mental Health Act and initial results are expected to be published in May 2025. Therefore, the information requested is not available for the last five years.
Asked by: Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what training is provided to early intervention in psychosis teams on (a) recognising and (b) supporting people with bipolar.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise how important it is for individuals with bipolar to get the right care and support they need. NHS England commissions training for staff working in early intervention in psychosis services to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy for both psychosis and bipolar disorder.
Mental health professionals are required to complete core training as part of their roles, which includes information on awareness of bipolar disorder and how it presents. The comprehensive assessment of at-risk mental states is an assessment tool used by mental health professionals and researchers to identify individuals who are at high risk of developing psychosis.