Human Medicines (Authorisation by Pharmacists and Supervision by Pharmacy Technicians) Order 2025

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 21st October 2025 Grand Committee

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their valuable contributions to today’s debate. I noted the discussion between noble Lords about whether they could agree with several noble Lords at one time; the answer is yes because I can do so, too. I feel that the questions asked will shine a useful light.

I am grateful for the support that this order has received and for the understanding that it is about releasing capacity and meeting what people need these days, as compared to the situation in 1933—or, indeed, at any time since then. This is about our move from hospital to community; our reliance on and welcoming of the whole pharmacy sector; and what that sector can bring to us. This sector is a tremendously important part of our National Health Service and allows us to provide services when, where and how we need them; I add my thanks to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and their professional bodies for their work in this area. I hope that, overall—I picked this point up—noble Lords will see that this order is about supporting pharmacy services, supporting patients and cutting the red tape that frustrates both the sector and those who use it.

I turn to the specific questions asked by noble Lords; I will of course be glad to write if I do not manage to address any of them. The noble Baroness, Lady Hollins, my noble friend Lady Ritchie and the noble Lord, Lord Scriven, raised concerns about the order, particularly in respect of pharmacy technicians’ qualifications. Let me say at the outset—this is quite a good framing, really—that pharmacists are of course absolutely critical in delivering pharmaceutical services, but the fact is that they cannot deliver without a dedicated team. That is what we are building on.

Pharmacy technicians are ready for these changes. Their training and expertise enable them to take responsibility for many activities that would previously have been the sole responsibility of the pharmacist. I can certainly say that post-registration training and professional guidance will be supporting these changes into practice. I say this to noble Lords: the answer to a number of the questions that have been legitimately asked is the professional guidance, because, as I know noble Lords will understand, this cannot all be laid out in legislation.

The noble Baroness, Lady Hollins, and the noble Lord, Lord Kamall, asked about definitions in respect of clinical checks. Let me start by talking about the professional guidance, which will set out what the pharmacist’s role is to be—including when and how there will be a need for a clinical check. It is important to say that the sector wanted pharmacy technicians to be able to work autonomously; that falls outside what “supervision” traditionally means. Therefore, we are introducing a second form of delegation, which will allow pharmacists to authorise a pharmacy technician to undertake or supervise dispensing activities without the need for direct supervision by the pharmacist. We are aware that we need to give the sector the legal clarity that noble Lords have asked for with regard to what “supervision” means in this context; I can refer noble Lords to a detailed annexe that was published alongside the consultation, but the point is well made.

The noble Baroness, Lady Hollins, my noble friend Lady Ritchie and the noble Lord, Lord Scriven, raised various questions in respect of what I will refer to as indirect supervision en masse and the need for a responsible pharmacist. So let me give the reassurance that these proposals do not remove supervision or change the legal requirement that a responsible pharmacist must be signed in at a registered premises when dispensing activities are taking place and when open to the public. We have stressed at every stage of formulating this policy our commitment to maintaining the legal requirement that noble Lords are rightly concerned about, whereby every community pharmacy must have a pharmacist on the premises.

The noble Lord, Lord Scriven, asked why there is a reference to “any member of staff”. The reason is that pharmacists will be able to authorise any member of staff to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions but they must be authorising only staff who are trained, competent and confident to undertake a task. There will be updated professional standards and guidance to ensure that good governance supports the safe implementation of these changes in practice. Therefore, it could not be, for example—the noble Lord might have had this in mind—an assistant in a supermarket who happens to be working in the pharmacy. That would not meet what is required. Again, that is an important point.

The noble Baroness, Lady Hollins, asked how authorisations will be tracked and what happens if there is conflict. I go back to my opening comments that practice matters cannot be set out in law. They will be addressed in professional standards and guidance, as I have said. That will be set by the regulators and professional leadership bodies to support the implementation of these changes into practice, and we look forward to working with those bodies. That should include professional expectations for record-keeping requirements when an authorisation is given. Training is to make clear to all staff—I return to the point raised by the noble Lord, Lord Scriven—that they need to follow standard operating procedures for when the authorisation is given, when they should consult the pharmacist and when a supply should not go ahead. That will all be part of that.

My noble friend Lady Ritchie and the noble Lord, Lord Kamall, asked about matters relating to Northern Ireland. As I mentioned, when pharmacy technicians become a registered profession in Northern Ireland, which is expected by April 2027, we will work with the Northern Ireland Department of Health to enact the other changes as soon as possible.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend Lady Merron for that helpful information. Initially, up-and-running pharmacy technicians were to be registered by 2025. Why the two-year delay in terms of Northern Ireland? Maybe she would be so good as to ask Minister Nesbitt.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I cannot give a specific answer, but I will be pleased to write to my noble friend and other noble Lords about the timetable rather than land Minister Nesbitt in it in any way, which I would never wish to do. But I can give the assurance to noble Lords that officials are in regular contact with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, and the measures we are talking about have been developed in collaboration with the devolved Governments and the four chief pharmaceutical officers across the UK. I hope that will be helpful.

The noble Baroness, Lady Bennett, asked about a focus on improved training before the regulations. Pharmacy technicians undertake two years of focused training in clinical settings, and they can provide clinical and dispensing services that are appropriate to their level of training at the point of registration. However, additional post-registration training is widely available to support technicians to prepare for these new roles. Assurance is also provided by the annual revalidation for all pharmacy technicians across the country. If we combine this with robust standard operating procedures and professional guidance, it will provide a clear frame- work to ensure that pharmacists can be confident to authorise pharmacy technicians to carry out, or to supervise others carrying out, activities while ensuring patient safety, which is at the heart of this, as well as service.

HIV: Testing and Medical Care

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Monday 20th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Although I cannot answer specifically, I would be very happy to write to the noble Lord about what information is in pharmacies. I know the noble Lord will appreciate, as your Lordships’ House has welcomed, the greater use of pharmacies, not least because they are more accessible for those who otherwise would be disadvantaged.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, HIV testing rates are vital. When the Minister meets the devolved Ministers for the nations and regions, particularly the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland, I ask that she talks to them about this important area, with particular reference to Positive Life Northern Ireland, which is a voluntary body doing enormously good work with those with HIV. It received a shortage of funding, or did not receive funding, from the department this year.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Monday 13th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure all people with Alzheimer’s disease have access to a timely and accurate diagnosis to improve access to care and quality of life.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

My Lords, in the 10-year plan we announced that we would deliver the first ever modern service framework for frailty and dementia to reduce unwanted variation and narrow inequality in diagnosis and care for those living with dementia. It will set national standards and redirect NHS priorities to provide the best care and support, which will be central, along with access to a timely and accurate diagnosis.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer, but I will press her a little further. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, one in three people in the UK living with dementia currently do not have a diagnosis. Unlike other major conditions, such as heart disease or cancer, dementia does not have national waiting time targets. Therefore, what plans do the Government have to introduce an 18-week referral to treatment target to give those people with dementia, and their carers and families, parity with other conditions?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

In our development of the modern service framework for frailty and dementia we are engaging with a wide group of partners, because we need to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes. I hope my noble friend will welcome that we are going to be considering what interventions should be supported to improve diagnosis waiting times—which are, I certainly agree, too long in many areas. In addition, we are considering all the options to help reduce variation, including reviewing metrics and targets, as my noble friend refers to.

Suicide Reduction

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Monday 8th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the rate of suicide.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

My Lords, our Plan for Change clearly commits to a renewed focus on preventing suicides. We know that one-third of all suicides are committed by people who are in contact with mental health services, and our new 10-year health plan sets out how we will strengthen and improve those services. We are committed to delivering an ambitious cross-government suicide prevention strategy to extend our reach, and recently published the new Staying Safe from Suicide guidance.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for her Answer. Wednesday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day; can my noble friend give the House further assurances that the Government are intent on delivering the suicide prevention strategy for England and the implementation of the ambitions contained therein? Will the Government work with civil society, including charities such as the Samaritans—which is currently subject to some restructuring—to ensure that suicide prevention is an integral part of the delivery of the NHS 10-year plan, to which the Minister has already referred?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am very pleased to be able to provide the assurances that my noble friend seeks. I reiterate our commitment to implementing the strategy. My colleagues and I continue to work closely with our trusted partners in civil and voluntary society and elsewhere. The Secretary of State will be joining the Samaritans this week at their World Suicide Prevention Day event. I am also pleased that the e-learning module from NHS England’s Staying Safe from Suicide guidance, which I mentioned earlier, will be launched later this week.

Creon

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Thursday 5th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the shortage of Creon, a cancer medication, reported by the National Pharmacy Association, and what steps they plan to take to prevent similar shortages in future.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

My Lords, while some supply constraints remain, predominantly with the higher-strength product, Creon stock is regularly being delivered to pharmacies. Alternative products and unlicensed imports are also available. Guidance has been issued to the NHS on prescribing available alternatives and utilising serious shortage protocols to limit quantities dispensed, with actions for integrated care boards to ensure that patients are not left without Creon or an alternative. We continue to work on the long-term supply resilience of Creon.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer, but there are some suggestions that pharmacies are struggling to obtain this important medication, which addresses pancreatic enzyme therapy. Given the struggles that pharmacies are facing, could my noble friend the Minister therefore outline what consideration has been given by the Government to provide a national plan to address shortages and to support patients with alternative care? What approval would be given to highly trained pharmacists to use their professional judgment to supply alternative medicines, where that is medically safe and appropriate, in the event of the prescribed version being unavailable to ensure that patients can enjoy longer, healthier lives?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I can say to my noble friend that serious shortage protocols are a tool that we have and use to manage and mitigate medicine and medical devices shortages. They enable community pharmacists to supply a specified medicine or device in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, with the patient’s consent, without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber. They are used in cases of serious shortage, and we develop those protocols with input from expert clinicians. In addition, we are currently examining options around pharmacists’ flexibilities, including how any risks could be managed, and further details will be set out on this. I hope this gives some reassurance to my noble friend.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Treatments

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Thursday 1st May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I understand the point the noble Lord is making; I was glad to have the chance of a discussion with him yesterday. I also thank him for his campaigning on such an important matter. I share his view about the need to ensure speed and efficacy. To that point, I say to him that since March this year, as part of the regulation action plan, NICE and the MHRA have been building on the systems we already have in place to make sure that there is rapid access. To prepare for a new generation of dementia treatments, NHS England is working closely with regulators to ensure that arrangements are in place to support the adoption of any new licensed and NICE-recommended treatments as soon as possible. As the noble Lord will understand, it is important that we have the right treatments that do the job and are available. On some of the more recent ones, I understand the disappointment, but the fact is that no disease-modifying treatments are currently available. However, science is developing, and I am sure we will discuss this further.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, more than 150 treatments are in the Alzheimer’s medicine pipeline. Can I encourage the Minister, along with her ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care, to take all steps to ensure that the UK remains globally competitive as a centre for dementia clinical trials?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend raises a very important point. In terms of trials, I will certainly be signing up—and I encourage noble Lords and their friends and families to do likewise—to Join Dementia Research, which is a collaboration between NIHR and a number of excellent charities, including the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Scotland, to take part in trials. There is no need to be a particular age or to have a diagnosis of dementia. I hope that noble Lords will join me in supporting this endeavour.

Pharmacy Opening Hours

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Thursday 20th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I appreciate the noble Baroness’s views. Indeed, community pharmacies in England are dispensing around 1.1 billion NHS medicines with a value of over £10 billion each year. Prescribing is of course a clinical decision. We are nevertheless keeping an eye on the situation, of course. What matters is that people seek help, and I am very glad to say that pharmacies are playing an increasing role in the availability of assistance, so people do not always have to go to GPs, particularly for some of the more common conditions.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that community pharmacies play a vital role in addressing NHS waiting lists through the administration of the vaccination programme—whether it is influenza or the Covid-19 vaccine—and thereby contribute to the reduction in the waiting lists that are faced by many hospitals throughout the UK? Will all efforts be made by government to ensure that the challenges faced by community pharmacies at present will be resolved in the near future?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I certainly agree with my noble friend’s point. I hope that she has noticed my enthusiasm for the role that pharmacies play. The introduction of Pharmacy First was a tremendous contribution to some common-sense approaches so that people who have common conditions can more immediately access services. Many of us will have experienced that. As I have said, we will conclude matters shortly and look forward to making the decision about future funding known ASAP.

Autism and Learning Disabilities: Hospital Detention

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 11th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Regrettably, that person’s experience is not a lone example. That is why, for example, the Mental Health Bill will limit the scope to detain people with a learning disability and autistic people, so that they can be detained under Section 2(3) only if they have a co-occurring mental disorder that requires hospital treatment. That is key because, in the times that we are talking about, people were detained just because of autism or a learning disability. That is not acceptable.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I welcome my noble friend the Minister and advise her that your Lordships’ House has a specialist committee that is dealing with the review of the Autism Act 2009. I encourage my noble friend and her ministerial colleagues, both in health and social care and in education, to undertake a review of that Act to ensure that it is fit for purpose, for the needs of autistic people.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am very grateful to the committee for its work and I am certainly looking forward to its report. The Government will respond to that report within two months. It is indeed vital work that is being undertaken.

Musculoskeletal Health: Chiropractors

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Wednesday 26th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to incorporate a role for chiropractors in national musculoskeletal health prevention strategies.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

My Lords, improving health outcomes for over 17 million people in England with musculoskeletal conditions forms a key part of this Government’s commitment to build an NHS for the future. Healthcare professionals play a vital prevention role in supporting people to self-manage their conditions. NHS England does not commission chiropractic care nationally. However, ICBs have their own clinical or commissioning policies and so may commission a limited amount of such treatment, based on the needs of the local population.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for her Answer. I say initially that I am someone who avails periodically of chiropractic services. Will my noble friend the Minister, along with her ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care, review the allied health professions list to include chiropractors working within the NHS to deal with musculoskeletal conditions, which in turn could alleviate the burdens on an already overburdened NHS? Could this also be included in the national health plan, which I hope will be published shortly?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I recognise the importance of mitigating the long-term burdens of MSK conditions, which are considerable, and the role that healthcare professionals, including allied healthcare professionals, can play in supporting not just prevention but early detection and the management of conditions. I know that chiropractic care is appreciated in a number of cases, including that of my noble friend. However, clinical evidence from systemic reviews does not support national commissioning of chiropractic treatment, as I mentioned, although ICBs can commission these services. To the point on the 10-year plan—a report on that is expected in the spring, as my noble friend referred to—I place on record that I am grateful to the British Chiropractic Association, the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, Versus Arthritis and the Royal Osteoporosis Society for ensuring that the voices of the MSK community have been well heard in the consultation.

Care Homes: Safety Ratings

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Wednesday 5th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I agree that public confidence is absolutely crucial. That is why honesty is very important and why the Secretary of State accepted in full the recommendations of Dr Dash’s review into the CQC, which was published in October. In addition to new executive leadership, a recruitment process is under way for new non-executive leadership, including the chair, which is very important. I agree with the noble Baroness on the importance of the patient voice, because that will lead to greater confidence. There is a long road to go down, but I am absolutely confident that we are well on the way.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, organisations such as the Medical Defence Union report that new healthcare providers are facing severe delays registering with the Care Quality Commission. These delays are slowing down the process of registering new patients to access services. Can my noble friend the Minister outline what discussions the Government have had, or will have, with the Care Quality Commission to resolve this issue?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I assure my noble friend that the department has discussions with the CQC at fortnightly meetings. Those discussions are about performance, including clearing the backlog of registration of new providers, and this will continue in order to make the necessary improvements that my noble friend seeks.

Health: Quad-demic

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 10th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I must be honest: I cannot explain here the exact reasons why NHS staff are not taking it up, but I assure the noble Lord, as I have assured other noble Lords, that our focus is on getting vaccination rates up. That is why the national medical director made the comments that he did, as well as assuring me that we are not nearing a pandemic.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, undoubtedly the vaccination programme has had an important influence and impact on our National Health Service as well as our economy. What further vaccines and vaccination programmes will be accelerated on to the national immunisation programme this year and in further financial years?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend has campaigned tirelessly for the vaccine rollout in respect of RSV, for which I thank her, and I know that many others would wish to thank her for that too. With regard to the other vaccines about which my noble friend asked, we will continue to work with the JCVI and, as there are further developments, I will update your Lordships’ House.

Type 2 Diabetes: Continuous Glucose Monitors

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 19th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I must confess that is something that I will need to look into—it may be with my ministerial colleagues in the Department for Transport. But I will look into it, and I will be pleased to write to the noble Baroness.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, as part of ongoing research, would my noble friend talk to her ministerial colleagues about possible research that is required into the causes of type 1 diabetes, and if more updated research could therefore provide new types of technologies and treatment? There is no particular cure at this moment in time, and people live with it on a daily basis, hour by hour.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, £206 million was awarded to diabetes research in the last five years through its research programme. The NIHR and Diabetes UK have developed a joint strategy which will inform diabetes research in the UK. I hope that can get us to the place that my noble friend refers to.

Cancer: Older People

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 19th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure a UK-wide approach to improving outcomes for older people with cancer.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

My Lords, sadly, the risk of developing cancer increases as a person gets older. Health is a devolved matter, as your Lordships’ House will know, and the department is working with the NHS in England to improve outcomes for people of all ages with cancer. On my noble friend’s specific point, we are working to bring England in line with other nations by delivering a new national cancer strategy next year following the publication of the 10-year health plan.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for her Answer. I am sure she is aware that the UK’s cancer burden is projected to rise by around one-third by 2040, and 60% of those cancer diagnoses are expected to be among those aged 70 and above. Yet there is evidence that older people’s cancer care is not always provided to the level that it should be. Therefore, what assurances can she give me of actions the Government will take as part of the forthcoming cancer plan and the 10-year NHS plan to address these health inequalities in cancer care and treatment throughout the UK?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend is quite right that the incidence of cancer is expected to rise across the UK, especially in older people. I agree that older people can face specific barriers when accessing care. Following on from the independent review by the noble Lord, Lord Darzi, I assure my noble friend that the 10-year health plan and the subsequent cancer strategy for England, both to be published next year, will help us do more to prevent cancer, identify it early and treat people quickly. They will have regard to older people.

NHS Hospitals: Apheresis

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Wednesday 9th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support increasing apheresis capacity in NHS hospitals in England.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

The Government are aware of the issues around apheresis capacity within the National Health Service impacting patient services, including stem cell donations. A departmentally led working group met for the first time last month to examine existing apheresis capacity and to develop solutions, and it will report in the spring. This working group includes members of the UK stem cell register, health professionals and service providers, and it aims to develop an evidence base by which strategic decisions around capacity can be established.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady Merron for her very helpful reply. Only last month I chaired a round table in your Lordships’ House on apheresis capacity. Therefore, given the rapid developments in cell and gene therapies and related international regulation over the last few years, what plans do the Government have to update legislation governing the use of substance of human origin and the development of advanced therapeutical medicinal products to better utilise modern technologies such as apheresis platforms?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am grateful to my noble friend for her work in this regard. I certainly share the view that there have been very rapid developments in cell and gene therapies over the past few years, and there is tremendous potential for these therapies to address the root cause of diseases and to offer life-changing outcomes for patients. So, we are working with devolved Governments and with key stakeholders to review the EU standards and requirements, and to consider our approach in light of the changes introduced by the EU SoHO regulations, which will take account of innovation within the sector.

NHS: Breast Screening Programme

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 3rd September 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The measures that the noble Lord refers to did indeed assist, but as I mentioned earlier we have a stubborn problem in returning to pre-Covid rates. The improvement plan that exists sets out the priorities and the interventions, but also the monitoring of what is working and what is not. The kinds of things that are being tested and introduced now include, for example, new IT systems to enable communication with women in 30 different languages, and new IT systems that mean people know when their appointment is and are reminded of it. All these things sound quite straightforward, but they have not been in place across the country and it is important that they are. I mentioned the importance of addressing fears and embarrassment, improving information and reassurance to women, as well as more convenient times and booking systems. It is very important that we make better use of mobile screening units, so that screening is near to where women are.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, undoubtedly breast screening is vital—I know that from a personal perspective—but I ask my noble friend whether consideration could be given to lowering the breast cancer screening age to 40, to include for diagnosis those with triple-negative breast cancer, because many in the younger cohort are diagnosed with it.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

As my noble friend will be aware, we keep a very close eye on the science and the advice, and we will continue to follow that. I emphasise, and it was raised in an earlier question as well, that the NHS has been proactively writing to those women at very high risk of breast cancer who may not have been referred. I give an assurance that women who are at greater risk are not forgotten.

Northern Ireland Dentists: Amalgam Fillings

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Monday 22nd July 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I refer to my entry in the Register of Lords’ Interests. I welcome the derogation on amalgam fillings, because that issue has been persisting for some time. It proves that a Labour Government are working to find solutions to the outstanding matters relating to the Windsor Framework. In that respect, will the Minister and her colleagues undertake to provide us with details of the resetting of the relationship between the UK and the EU? There are several outstanding matters relating to veterinary medicines and the EU’s carbon floor.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am glad that my noble friend welcomes today’s announcement. I am sure the House will appreciate the particular set of circumstances surrounding amalgam, which are extremely complex. This has required considerable collaboration between several departments, as well as the devolved Administrations. I hope it will be regarded as something very positive, but I can assure my noble friend and your Lordships’ House that I will discuss with my ministerial colleagues the points being raised about the Windsor Framework and the relationships that that entails.