Asked by: Simon Jupp (Conservative - East Devon)
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 support applicants for continued healthcare funding who appeal a decision to (a) NHS England and (b) the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
A public information leaflet is on the GOV.UK website in multiple languages, explaining the full process for appealing to NHS England or to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, as well as the eligibility decisions for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). This leaflet is available at the following link:
CHC guidance, named the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care, states that any individual being considered for CHC at the screening or referral stage should be given a copy of this leaflet, along with any relevant local information about processes and contact details. This guidance is available at the following link:
NHS England has also commissioned a free Information and Advice Service for CHC from Beacon. This service provides independent and high-quality support on navigating CHC assessments and care planning, or to appeal against a decision about CHC eligibility. Further information is available at the following link:
https://beaconchc.co.uk/how-we-can-help/free-information-and-advice-on-nhs-continuing-healthcare/
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of processes for social care users to (a) acquire the care they need and (b) file complaints.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government has made up to £8.1 billion available over this year and next to strengthen adult social care provision with the aim of ensuring everyone can access high quality care that enables choice, control and independence.
Local Authorities are responsible for the delivery of social care. Local authorities must assess individuals’ care and support needs and, where the person is eligible, meet those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014.
By law, all health and social care services must have a procedure for dealing efficiently with complaints, and anyone who has seen or experienced poor-quality care has the right to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care.
If an individual is not satisfied with the way a provider or local authority has dealt with a complaint, they may escalate it to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman who can investigate individual concerns.
Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of complaints that have been made to the Care Quality Commission about social care providers in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Over the last 12 months, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) received 31,904 complaints related to adult social care services. The CQC does not have legal powers to resolve complaints, but it uses the information it receives from complaints to help shape its regulatory activity.
People receiving care have a right to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care. By law, all health and social care services must have a procedure for dealing efficiently with complaints. In the first instance, a complaint should be made to the service provider. If the care is funded or arranged by a local council, a complaint can be made to them as well. If someone has made a complaint to the care provider or local council and are unhappy with the response, they can make a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
My Rt. Hon friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, does not intend to make a statement at this time.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how much the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman spent on equality and diversity training in the 2022-23 financial year.
Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service.
The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms part of our drive to improve productivity across the public sector by driving down waste and improving performance.
The findings and actions of the audit will be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Annual Review of Local Government complaints in England for 2022-2023, published on 26 July 2023, on trends in the number of upheld complaints for (a) special educational needs and disabilities provision for children and young people, (b) adult care services and (c) housing.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's Annual Review of Local Government Complaints forms one part of the wider intelligence on the health of the local government sector, including on emerging trends, which the Ombudsman provides the Department. We are grateful for the Ombudsman's ongoing valuable work to improve public services.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has taken recent steps to (a) review the level of satisfaction and (b) seek views on how better to resolve the disputes of patients using the complaints systems in the NHS.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
National Health Service complaints are initially handled at a local level, so learning lessons from complaints, including the levels of satisfaction or how to improve complaints resolution, is led by the relevant local NHS organisation. At a national level, the Government is working with stakeholders to improve the way the NHS listens to and responds to complaints, including through the NHS Complaint Standards. The NHS Complaint Standards were developed by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman by drawing on their experience of patient complaints and in collaboration with stakeholders, and they provide guidance to the NHS on a model complaint handling service, which includes a particularly focus on early resolution and on learning from complaints.
Asked by: Christopher Pincher (Independent - Tamworth)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of Birmingham City Council's decision to use of bed and breakfast facilities at significant distances from that city to accommodate homeless families; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Legislation is clear that local authorities must ensure temporary accommodation is suitable in relation to the applicant and all members of their household. This requires an assessment of all aspects of the accommodation, including location.
We are clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, avoid placing households out of their borough. Placing households in temporary accommodation outside of the local area should be a last resort.
Applicants may request a review of their TA if they feel it is unsuitable. If an applicant is not satisfied with how the council has handled their case, they may complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or take legal action in the courts.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Labour - Weaver Vale)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing temporary accommodation under a national regulator.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Temporary accommodation (TA) in England is subject to national regulation. Legislation is clear that local authorities must ensure TA is suitable in relation to the applicant and all members of their household. Housing authorities should, as a minimum, ensure that all TA is free of Category 1 hazards as identified by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
If local authorities identify the presence of a category 1 hazard, they have a duty under the Housing Act 2004 to take enforcement action. We have given local authorities strong powers, including financial penalties of up to £30,000, for the most serious and prolific offenders.
Applicants may request a review of their TA if they feel it is unsuitable. If an applicant is not satisfied with how the council has handled their case, they may complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or take legal action in the courts.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Labour - Weaver Vale)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current regulations on temporary accommodation.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Temporary accommodation (TA) in England is subject to national regulation. Legislation is clear that local authorities must ensure TA is suitable in relation to the applicant and all members of their household. Housing authorities should, as a minimum, ensure that all TA is free of Category 1 hazards as identified by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
If local authorities identify the presence of a category 1 hazard, they have a duty under the Housing Act 2004 to take enforcement action. We have given local authorities strong powers, including financial penalties of up to £30,000, for the most serious and prolific offenders.
Applicants may request a review of their TA if they feel it is unsuitable. If an applicant is not satisfied with how the council has handled their case, they may complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or take legal action in the courts.
Asked by: Emily Thornberry (Labour - Islington South and Finsbury)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the press release entitled The GPA rated best UK public sector workplace experience, published by the Government Property Agency on 15 March 2023, which (a) Departments and (b) executive agencies have undertaken Leesman Office surveys since 1 January 2020 to assess the views of their staff concerning the main offices in which they work.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
GPA has launched 9 office based surveys with Leesman, starting in January 2021. The full list of departments, agencies and bodies as listed as such on the UK Government Departments, agencies and public bodies website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations) that have taken part in Leesman surveys through GPA can be found below:
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Cabinet Office
Care Quality Commission
Companies House
Consumer Council For Water
Criminal Cases Review Commission
Crown Commercial Service
Crown Prosecution Service
Defence Equipment and Support
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Department for Education
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Department for International Trade
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Department for Work & Pensions
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Environment Agency
Government Internal Audit Agency
Government Legal Department
Government Property Agency
Health and Safety Executive
Health Education England
Health Research Authority
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
HM Treasury
Home Office
Homes England
Infrastructure and Projects Authority
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Legal Aid Agency
Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Natural England
NHS
NHS England
Office for National Statistics
Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted)
Office of Rail and Road
Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman
Regulator of Social Housing
Serious Fraud Office
Small Business Commissioner
Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA)
Trade Remedies Authority
UK Health Security Agency
Other organisations/groups:
Asylum Protection
Border Force
Government Art collection
HM Passport Office
Immigration Enforcement (IE)
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
Pubs Code Adjudicator
Single Competent Authority (SCA)
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)