Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving, as part of the 10 Year Health Plan for England, to whether wider use of longer-duration, non-invasive ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring could (1) help reduce waits for arrhythmia diagnosis, and (2) support earlier detection of atrial fibrillation.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 10-Year Health Plan recognises that there is more that can be done to improve timely diagnosis closer to the patient’s home. The plan’s commitment to the three big shifts, and the further development of facilities such as community diagnostic centres, are central to delivering the Government’s commitment to achieve a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease and stroke across England, including people with arrythmias. For further information, a copy of our plan Reforming elective care for patients is attached.
The use of novel digital health and technology, such as non-invasive ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring in the community, will facilitate the earlier diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as cardiac arrythmias and atrial fibrillation.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the devolved nations regarding treatments and care for children diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Orphanet estimates of the prevalence if alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency within Western Europe and the United States of America is between one in 1,600 and one in 5,000. No England specific estimates are available.
There have been no discussions specific to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The administrations of all four nations continue to work collaboratively to improve the lives of people living with genetic and rare conditions under the UK Rare Diseases Framework. The framework has recently been extended until January 2027.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to update reimbursement and tariff arrangements for ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring, including introducing distinct tariffs for short-term Holter tests and extended-duration non-invasive monitoring, to support appropriate uptake of newer technologies in line with the 10 Year Health Plan for England.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Electrocardiogram monitoring or stress testing, including 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography and extended electrocardiographic recording, are priced as part of Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) EY51Z (Electrocardiogram Monitoring or Stress Testing).
The 2026/27 Payment Scheme, which sets national prices for most HRGs, is currently under consultation. The consultation closes on 16 December, and feedback will be considered on the proposed prices before the final payment scheme is issued.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in England.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Orphanet estimates of the prevalence if alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency within Western Europe and the United States of America is between one in 1,600 and one in 5,000. No England specific estimates are available.
There have been no discussions specific to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The administrations of all four nations continue to work collaboratively to improve the lives of people living with genetic and rare conditions under the UK Rare Diseases Framework. The framework has recently been extended until January 2027.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to develop a modern service framework for respiratory health.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Modern service frameworks will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks, including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future modern service frameworks will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Taskforce for Lung Health, A Modern Service Framework for Respiratory, published on 18 November.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is aware of the Taskforce for Lung Health’s report calling for a modern service framework for respiratory health, including the impact of respiratory conditions on mortality rates, emergency admissions, inequalities, and productivity.
Modern service frameworks will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and will then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks, including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future modern service frameworks will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a modern service framework for respiratory care on tackling health inequalities.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is aware of the Taskforce for Lung Health’s report calling for a modern service framework for respiratory health, including the impact of respiratory conditions on mortality rates, emergency admissions, inequalities, and productivity.
Modern service frameworks will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and will then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks, including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future modern service frameworks will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish a response to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report of February 2024 regarding funding redress issues for those harmed by pelvic mesh and sodium valproate.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will compensate individuals and families who have suffered from the effects of sodium valproate in the past 30 years, and if so, when.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Merron on 13 October (HL Deb cols 9–10), what plans they have to introduce an 18-week referral-to-treatment target for dementia to ensure parity with other conditions and to address current waiting times.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We will deliver the first ever Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.
The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.
In developing the Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework, we are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with dementia. As part of this exercise, we will consider what interventions should be supported to improve diagnosis waiting times, which we know are too long in many areas. We are considering all options to help reduce variation, including reviewing metrics and targets.