Baroness Merron Alert Sample


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Information between 5th March 2024 - 15th March 2024

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Calendar
Thursday 14th March 2024
Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)

Oral questions - Main Chamber
Subject: Risk to cancer patients in England of staffing levels, workloads and working conditions of healthcare professionals, following warnings by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
View calendar


Division Votes
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 121 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 228 Noes - 184
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 125 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 278 Noes - 189
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 119 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 244 Noes - 160
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 126 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 265 Noes - 181
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 119 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 246 Noes - 171
11 Mar 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 106 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 209 Noes - 193
11 Mar 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 105 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 204 Noes - 192
11 Mar 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 106 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 199 Noes - 199
11 Mar 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 105 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 217 Noes - 192
11 Mar 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 105 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 187
13 Mar 2024 - West Midlands Combined Authority (Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner Functions) Order 2024 - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 84 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 137 Noes - 54
13 Mar 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness Merron voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 96 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 165 Noes - 154


Speeches
Baroness Merron speeches from: Cancer: Staffing
Baroness Merron contributed 2 speeches (140 words)
Thursday 14th March 2024 - Lords Chamber
Department of Health and Social Care
Baroness Merron speeches from: Prioritising Early Childhood: Academy of Medical Sciences Report
Baroness Merron contributed 1 speech (104 words)
Monday 11th March 2024 - Lords Chamber
Department of Health and Social Care
Baroness Merron speeches from: International Women’s Day
Baroness Merron contributed 1 speech (787 words)
Friday 8th March 2024 - Lords Chamber
HM Treasury
Baroness Merron speeches from: Mental Health Patients: Discharge
Baroness Merron contributed 2 speeches (121 words)
Tuesday 5th March 2024 - Lords Chamber
Department of Health and Social Care


Written Answers
Neurology: Health Services
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 6th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the scope of the Major Conditions Strategy does not include hundreds of neurological conditions.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government announced a Major Conditions Strategy in January 2023, focusing on six groups of conditions that account for over 60% of ill health and early death in England. This has allowed us to look at similarities in approach across these conditions,and where there might be opportunities to ensure care is better centered around the patient. This means that many of the solutions identified in the final strategy may benefit patients and users of health and social care services beyond the six major condition groups, including neurological conditions.

The Department has worked closely with a range of stakeholders to develop the strategy, including people with lived experience and organisations representing patients, carers, and conditions. This includes engagement with the Neurological Alliance.

Facial Palsy
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government where the overall responsibility for patients with facial palsy sits within the NHS.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Care for people with facial palsy may be delivered by a number of specialties, depending on its cause. Facial palsy will often present in primary care, and if there are additional concerning features, the patient may be referred directly to the hospital as an emergency, where they may be looked after by medical or stroke teams. Rehabilitation professionals may be needed to support recovery.

Facial palsy without additional features is often managed in general practice. If time and treatment does not result in a satisfactory outcome, then the patient should be referred to a hospital, to be reviewed by a neurologist and other members of the team as needed, for example speech and language therapists, psychologists, or neurosurgeons.

Breast Cancer: Screening
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 1 February (HL1933), what are the agreed efficiency standards following restoration of breast screening services since the COVID-19 pandemic; how this decision was made; and by whom.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The standards for breast screening include an acceptable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 70%, and an achievable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 80%. Full details about the changes to breast screening standards before and after COVID-19, are available on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format.

Breast Cancer: Screening
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 1 February (HL1933), what were the agreed efficiency standards for breast cancer screening prior to the restoration of services since the COVID-19 pandemic; and what are the agreed efficiency standards now.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The standards for breast screening include an acceptable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 70%, and an achievable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 80%. Full details about the changes to breast screening standards before and after COVID-19, are available on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format.

Facial Palsy: Health Services
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to respond to the survey by Facial Palsy UK published on 1 March, and if so when; and what assessment they have made of the fact that nearly 90 per cent of respondents called for a clearer understanding of which type of specialist provides care for patients with facial palsy.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Disability within the Equality Act 2010 is not defined through each specific condition, but rather in general terms. The general definition of disability, for the purposes of the act, is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

A person with facial paralysis or facial palsy may experience difficulties with communication, which may have a substantial and long-term effect, in accordance with the act. The Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that the right support is in place, including for those with health conditions such as Bell’s palsy.

We have made it clear to local commissioners that we expect NHS Talking Therapies to be integrated into physical healthcare pathways. Our NHS Long Term Plan commits to an additional £2.3 billion a year for the expansion of mental health services by 2024, so that an additional two million people, including those with Bell’s palsy, can access National Health Service-funded mental health support. The Department received Facial Palsy UK’s survey on pathways of care for people with facial palsy on 27 February 2024. We will reply as soon as possible.

Facial Palsy: Mental Health Services
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what specialist provision is available for “further support or counselling if there are emotional consequences of persistent facial paralysis or paresis”, as mentioned in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for Bell’s palsy referral.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Disability within the Equality Act 2010 is not defined through each specific condition, but rather in general terms. The general definition of disability, for the purposes of the act, is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

A person with facial paralysis or facial palsy may experience difficulties with communication, which may have a substantial and long-term effect, in accordance with the act. The Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that the right support is in place, including for those with health conditions such as Bell’s palsy.

We have made it clear to local commissioners that we expect NHS Talking Therapies to be integrated into physical healthcare pathways. Our NHS Long Term Plan commits to an additional £2.3 billion a year for the expansion of mental health services by 2024, so that an additional two million people, including those with Bell’s palsy, can access National Health Service-funded mental health support. The Department received Facial Palsy UK’s survey on pathways of care for people with facial palsy on 27 February 2024. We will reply as soon as possible.

Facial Palsy and Paralysis: Disability
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether (1) facial paralysis, and (2) facial palsy, are primarily recognised as a disability of communication.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Disability within the Equality Act 2010 is not defined through each specific condition, but rather in general terms. The general definition of disability, for the purposes of the act, is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

A person with facial paralysis or facial palsy may experience difficulties with communication, which may have a substantial and long-term effect, in accordance with the act. The Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that the right support is in place, including for those with health conditions such as Bell’s palsy.

We have made it clear to local commissioners that we expect NHS Talking Therapies to be integrated into physical healthcare pathways. Our NHS Long Term Plan commits to an additional £2.3 billion a year for the expansion of mental health services by 2024, so that an additional two million people, including those with Bell’s palsy, can access National Health Service-funded mental health support. The Department received Facial Palsy UK’s survey on pathways of care for people with facial palsy on 27 February 2024. We will reply as soon as possible.

Integrated Care Boards
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of integrated care board performance reports; and what discussions they have had with NHS England concerning that matter.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department undertakes regular discussion with NHS England on the performance and oversight of the integrated care boards (ICBs). Statutory ICBs were established on 1 July 2022 and since then they have made real progress in understanding the health needs of their populations, setting out their plans, developing the infrastructure needed for collaboration, and bringing health and social care organisations together to serve the needs of their communities.

NHS England conducted an annual performance assessment of the ICBs for the 2022/23 financial year, from July 2022 to March 2023, and published the guidance Annual assessment of integrated care boards 2022-23: supporting guidance, for the ICBs. While conducting the assessments, NHS England considered how successfully each ICB: led the National Health Service within its integrated care system (ICS); performed its statutory functions; delivered on guidance set out by NHS England or my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding its functions, with a particular focus on the objectives set out in the priorities and operational planning guidance; and contributed to each of the four fundamental purposes of an ICS, which are improving population health and healthcare, tackling unequal outcomes and access, enhancing productivity and value for money, and helping the National Health Service support broader social and economic development.

These annual assessments included an assessment of how well the ICB performed the following specific duties, required under the terms of the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Care Act 2022:

- the duty to improve the quality of services;

- the duty to reduce inequality of access and outcome;

- the duty to take appropriate advice;

- the duty to facilitate, promote, and use research;

- the duty to have regard to the effect of decisions, also known as the triple aim;

- the duty to consult patients and the public about decisions that affect them;

- the financial duties; and

- the duty to contribute to wider local strategies.

NHS England published a summary of the assessment reports as part of its 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts. All ICBs also published their individual Annual Reports and Accounts for 2022/23, on their websites. The Department is working with NHS England on its approach to the annual performance assessment for 2023/24.

Integrated Care Boards
Asked by: Baroness Merron (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 13th March 2024

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of integrated care boards in the financial year 2022–23.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department undertakes regular discussion with NHS England on the performance and oversight of the integrated care boards (ICBs). Statutory ICBs were established on 1 July 2022 and since then they have made real progress in understanding the health needs of their populations, setting out their plans, developing the infrastructure needed for collaboration, and bringing health and social care organisations together to serve the needs of their communities.

NHS England conducted an annual performance assessment of the ICBs for the 2022/23 financial year, from July 2022 to March 2023, and published the guidance Annual assessment of integrated care boards 2022-23: supporting guidance, for the ICBs. While conducting the assessments, NHS England considered how successfully each ICB: led the National Health Service within its integrated care system (ICS); performed its statutory functions; delivered on guidance set out by NHS England or my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding its functions, with a particular focus on the objectives set out in the priorities and operational planning guidance; and contributed to each of the four fundamental purposes of an ICS, which are improving population health and healthcare, tackling unequal outcomes and access, enhancing productivity and value for money, and helping the National Health Service support broader social and economic development.

These annual assessments included an assessment of how well the ICB performed the following specific duties, required under the terms of the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Care Act 2022:

- the duty to improve the quality of services;

- the duty to reduce inequality of access and outcome;

- the duty to take appropriate advice;

- the duty to facilitate, promote, and use research;

- the duty to have regard to the effect of decisions, also known as the triple aim;

- the duty to consult patients and the public about decisions that affect them;

- the financial duties; and

- the duty to contribute to wider local strategies.

NHS England published a summary of the assessment reports as part of its 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts. All ICBs also published their individual Annual Reports and Accounts for 2022/23, on their websites. The Department is working with NHS England on its approach to the annual performance assessment for 2023/24.




Baroness Merron mentioned

Deposited Papers
Wednesday 6th March 2024
Department of Health and Social Care
Source Page: Letter dated 01/03/2024 from Lord Markham to Peers regarding questions raised on the government's NHS dentistry recovery plan statement: clarifications to responses concerning the value of Units of Dental Activity, golden hello scheme, and number of new courses of treatment, and further details on supervision and provisional registration of overseas-qualified dentists. 2p.
Document: Dentistry.pdf (PDF)

Found: In response to both Baroness Merron and Lord Allan of Hallam’s questions I said that we were creating

Wednesday 6th March 2024
Department of Health and Social Care
Source Page: Letter dated 01/03/2024 from Lord Markham to Peers regarding the debate following a statement on the launch of Pharmacy First: age eligibility for Pharmacy First urinary tract infections pathway, electronic prescriptions and payment to pharmacies by the NHS Business Service Authority, and cost of non-medical items. 2p.
Document: Markham.pdf (PDF)

Found: During th e debate I promised to write to address questions from Baroness Merron, Lord Allan of Hallam