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Written Question
Domestic Abuse
Tuesday 8th July 2025

Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)

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 training of frontline NHS staff on (a) the definition of domestic abuse, (b) how professionals should respond to immediate and long-term risk and (c) the opportunity of perpetrator incarceration in engaging and safeguarding victims in the long term.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

All National Health Service staff complete mandatory safeguarding training, which includes a focus on domestic abuse. This training gives staff the skills and knowledge to identify and respond to all forms of domestic abuse, as set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which includes physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, psychological, emotional, or other abuse. All professionals are trained to identify the immediate and long-term risks of domestic abuse using blended learning methods including e-learning, in-person training, and supervision. Patient facing clinicians and staff complete more detailed mandatory safeguarding training, including further domestic abuse training relevant to their role. National mandatory safeguarding training for all NHS staff is being strengthened for launch in early 2026. This will reinforce the safeguarding responsibilities of staff and will support them in identifying and responding to victims of abuse.

We are committed to making sure that those who have experienced violence and abuse can access the support they need, to manage short and long-term risk. We also know that for many survivors, the emotional and psychological aftermath can last long after the abuse itself ends and the perpetrator is incarcerated. Mental health support is one of the vital parts of the road to recovery. Anyone in England experiencing a mental health crisis, including domestic abuse and assault victims, can speak to a trained NHS professional at any time of the day through the mental health option on NHS 111. In addition, the 8,500 mental health workers we are recruiting will be trained to support people experiencing mental health challenges, including those who have experienced violence and abuse. The NHS is also piloting more specialised support and has launched local pathfinder projects for enhanced trauma-informed mental health support for survivors with the most complex needs.


Written Question
Mental Health Services: Poverty
Thursday 19th June 2025

Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what cross-Departmental research his Department has commissioned into the link between (a) debt, (b) benefit sanctions, (c) child maintenance arrears and (d) suicide risk; and what mental health interventions are in place for people in financial hardship.

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

We recognise the effect that financial pressures, such as debt collection practices, benefit sanctions, and child maintenance arrears, can have on some people’s mental health and their risk of developing suicidal thoughts.

The cross-Government, cross-sector suicide prevention strategy for England includes financial difficulty as a priority area for action and sets out work Government departments are doing to address this. For example, the Department for Work and Pensions has committed both to strengthening its guidance for staff to better support customers who disclose that they are experiencing suicidal thoughts, and mandating mental health awareness training for all frontline staff.

We have also worked with colleagues at HM Treasury and the Money and Pensions Service to promote the mental health Breathing Space scheme, which gives those with mental ill health facing financial difficulties space to receive debt advice, without pressure from creditors or mounting debts.

This is in addition to the mental health support available through general practitioners, NHS Talking Therapies, and NHS 111.


Written Question
Mental Health Services: Hertfordshire
Monday 9th June 2025

Asked by: Victoria Collins (Liberal Democrat - Harpenden and Berkhamsted)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure people in mental health crises receive adequate support in emergency services in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

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

The Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board commissions mental health services to meet the needs of its population, including for people living in Harpenden and Berkhamsted. The integrated care board continues to monitor the effectiveness and quality of these services.

The National Health Service, local councils, police, and experts by experience continue to work together through Hertfordshire’s Crisis Care Concordat, to implement service and pathway improvements to ensure that people experiencing a mental health crisis receive timely, effective, and appropriate support.

This includes implementing the Right Care, Right Person approach which minimises the involvement of police in the care of people with mental health needs, where this is appropriate.

The integrated care board has developed a range of services to support people in mental health crisis. A new mental health urgent care centre has opened in Stevenage, which offers a safe space and a multidisciplinary team to provide support. Options for a similar model in West Hertfordshire are being explored. Nightlight services, delivered by the Herts Mind Network, provide emotional support, advice, and sanctuary space for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Additionally, mental health response vehicles are being rolled out across the country. Each vehicle is staffed by a paramedic with enhanced medical training and a registered mental health practitioner, enabling expert care to be delivered directly at the scene.

People of all ages in England who are experiencing a mental health crisis can speak to a trained NHS professional at any time of the day via the NHS 111 service. This service gives people the chance to be listened to by a trained member of staff who can help direct them to the right place.


Written Question
Juries: Mental Health Services
Tuesday 18th February 2025

Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what welfare support is provided to those who have completed jury service on cases that include traumatic evidence of physical or mental harm to others.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government wants to help jurors feel supported as they undertake this important civic duty. Those suffering distress as a result of their service are provided with guidance advising them to access services through their GP or the NHS 111 National Mental Health Helpline. We are also currently running a pilot to test the need for enhanced support through end-of-trial interventions, enhanced support and training for Jury Officers, and a Juror Support Helpline offering up to six counselling sessions.

The test began in October last year in 15 courts and will conclude at the end of March. The results will be evaluated to help assess long term support needs for jurors.


Written Question
Dental Services: Southend on Sea
Wednesday 10th January 2024

Asked by: Anna Firth (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will meet the hon. Member for Southend West to discuss NHS dental provision in Southend.

Answered by Andrea Leadsom

Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.

Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.

From 1 April 2023, 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. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.

Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.


Written Question
Dental Services: Southend on Sea
Wednesday 10th January 2024

Asked by: Anna Firth (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase the capacity of NHS dentists in Southend.

Answered by Andrea Leadsom

Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.

Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.

From 1 April 2023, 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. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.

Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.


Written Question
Dental Health: Southend on Sea
Wednesday 10th January 2024

Asked by: Anna Firth (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve dental hygiene in Southend.

Answered by Andrea Leadsom

Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.

Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.

From 1 April 2023, 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. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.

Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.


Written Question
Dental Services: Southend on Sea
Wednesday 10th January 2024

Asked by: Anna Firth (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of NHS dental treatment in Southend.

Answered by Andrea Leadsom

Ministers are always keen to discuss issues regarding National Health Service dentistry.

Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make NHS work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.

From 1 April 2023, 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. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has put in place initiatives to improve access to dental care for the whole population. The Dental Access Pilot allows dentists to be open outside of their normal working hours to see patients in need, self-referred or referred from NHS 111. Up to 4 December 2023, just under 4,000 additional patients have been seen because of this work. The pilot will continue until March 2025.

Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.


Written Question
Dental Services: St Helens North
Wednesday 10th January 2024

Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of NHS dental treatment in St Helens North constituency.

Answered by Andrea Leadsom

Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make National Health Service work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the NHS and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.

From 1 April 2023, 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. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.

Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.


Written Question
Dental Services: St Helens North
Wednesday 10th January 2024

Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help increase capacity of NHS dentists in St Helens North constituency.

Answered by Andrea Leadsom

Our plan for dentistry, to be published shortly, will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022, which included changes to banding and the introduction of a minimum Units of Dental Activity value. Our plan will include addressing how we continue to improve access, particularly for new patients; and how we make National Health Service work more attractive to ensure NHS dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the NHS and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places by 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.

From 1 April 2023, 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. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment.

Patients who are struggling to find a local dentist can contact NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre for assistance or contact NHS 111 if seeking urgent care.