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Written Question
Exercise
Friday 28th March 2025

Asked by: Andy MacNae (Labour - Rossendale and Darwen)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of active travel on levels of physical inactivity; and if he will take steps to publish a physical activity strategy.

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

The Department’s recent cycling and walking evidence review confirms the positive impacts on reducing levels of physical inactivity. Our evidence shows that integrating physical activity into daily routines through active travel can lead to substantial health benefits, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health conditions. The Department of Health and Social Care is currently working with the Department for Transport and Active Travel England on an evidence review, which will further examine active travel’s effects on mental health, physical health, and health inequalities, as well as effective behaviour change techniques. Findings are expected by late-2025 to inform future policy.

Whilst there are no plans to publish a specific physical activity strategy, addressing levels of physical inactivity will be a key part of the shift from treatment to prevention, as part of the Health Mission. Department officials work closely with colleagues across Government and the National Health Service to enable and deliver interventions that support this aim.


Written Question
Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Independent Review
Friday 7th February 2025

Asked by: Andy MacNae (Labour - Rossendale and Darwen)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

Seven of the nine recommendations of the review have been previously accepted in full, in part, or in principle. Four of these have been successfully implemented, including:

  • issuing an unreserved apology on behalf of the healthcare system;
  • appointing Dr Henrietta Hughes as the first ever Patient Safety Commissioner in England in respect of medicines and medical devices; and
  • establishing nine specialist mesh centres, which are in operation across England.

Work is ongoing in respect of the remaining recommendations, including working across the Government to consider the recommendations in the Hughes Report, which looked into, and provided advice on, redress for those affected by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.


Written Question
Plastic Surgery
Monday 28th October 2024

Asked by: Andy MacNae (Labour - Rossendale and Darwen)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the (a) safety and (b) regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

All doctors performing cosmetic surgery in the United Kingdom are required to be registered and licensed to practise by the General Medical Council. The Care Quality Commission regulates cosmetic treatments carried out by healthcare professionals in England that involve surgical procedures.

The Government is currently considering what further steps may need to be taken in relation to the safety of the cosmetics sector and will set out its position at the earliest opportunity.