Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Portrait

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

Crossbench - Life peer

Became Member: 28th June 2001


Procedure and Privileges Committee
1st Jul 2019 - 31st Jan 2023
National Policy for the Built Environment Committee
11th Jun 2015 - 11th Feb 2016
Public Service and Demographic Change Committee
29th May 2012 - 5th Mar 2013
Science and Technology Committee (Lords)
19th Nov 2002 - 30th Oct 2007
Science and Technology: Sub-Committee I
13th Nov 2002 - 30th Oct 2007
Draft Mental Health Bill (Joint Committee)
22nd Jul 2004 - 11th Jul 2005
Committee on the Assisted Dying for the terminally ill Bill
30th Nov 2004 - 7th Apr 2005


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff has voted in 345 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Bethell (Conservative)
(86 debate interactions)
Lord Markham (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
(58 debate interactions)
Lord Kamall (Conservative)
(40 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(198 debate contributions)
Home Office
(58 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Health and Care Act 2022
(24,651 words contributed)
United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020
(12,022 words contributed)
Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21
(11,562 words contributed)
Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021
(6,629 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Baroness Finlay of Llandaff's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


4 Bills introduced by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff


Parallel Parliament Note:

The provisions of the Bill were ultimately enacted through the Online Safety Act 2023.

A Bill to require OFCOM to establish a unit to advise the Secretary of State regarding the use of social media platforms to encourage or assist serious self-harm and activities associated with risk of suicide; and for connected purposes

Lords Completed

Last Event - 3rd Reading
Friday 16th June 2023
(Read Debate)

A Bill to make provision for equitable access to palliative care services; for advancing education, training and research in palliative care; and for connected purposes

Lords Completed

Last Event - 3rd Reading : House Of Lords
Tuesday 23rd February 2016

A bill to make provision for NHS service commissioners to ensure that persons for whom they have responsibility for commissioning physical and mental health services have access to specialist and generalist palliative care and support services; to enable hospices to access pharmaceutical services on the same basis as other services commissioned by a clinical commissioning group; and to make provision for treatment of children with a life-limiting illness

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 7th February 2020
(Read Debate)

A Bill to make provision for equitable access to palliative care services; for advancing education, training and research in palliative care; and for connected purposes.

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading : House Of Lords
Thursday 9th June 2016

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
26th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Maldives will be granted the same trade agreement as other Commonwealth Small Island States and no longer be charged 20 per cent tax on fish exports to the UK from their sustainable tuna line fishing; and if so, when.

The UK currently applies the UK Global Tariff of 20% to imports of tuna from the Maldives. This rate is also applied to imports from all other trading partners where preferential arrangements are not in place.

The Government continues to explore pragmatic opportunities to enhance bilateral trade relations with the Maldives in areas of mutual interest, including fishing.

Lord Johnson of Lainston
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
25th Jan 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what dates during the past five years they held meetings with the Government of Wales to discuss the (1) safety, and (2) management, of National Coal Board coal tips; and who was present at those meetings.

Ministers and officials from Her Majesty’s Government and the Welsh Government meet regularly to discuss a range of issues including the safety and management of coal tips. In addition, the UK Coal Authority has been working alongside the Welsh Government on its programme of tip risk assessments and inspections.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of early career researchers to continue in their research career.

We are aware of the enormous pressures that the pandemic has had on researchers and doctoral student’s ability to conduct their research. The Government has made available £280 million of funding to sustain UKRI and National Academy grant-funded research and fellowships affected by COVID-19 through costed grant extensions and other measures.

UKRI has made over £62 million of financial support available to students most impacted by the pandemic. It is estimated that this funding is available for up to 12,000 students. This will go some way in ensuring students at the beginning of their academic career will obtain their doctorates in good time and stead.

Most research environments have now adapted to the pandemic, adjusting data-collection plans for their projects, and also operating in a covid-safe way for staff on site. We understand some researchers have been disrupted more than others, and we expect institutions and funders to work with them on a case-by-case basis.

We will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and UKRI continues to listen and respond carefully as the situation evolves.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received about gambling company adverts and sponsorships displayed on the kit of professional sports teams.

Gambling advertising and sponsorship, including around sport, must be socially responsible and must not be targeted at children. The government assessed the evidence on advertising in its Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures, the full response to which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposals-for-changes-to-gaming-machines-and-social-responsibility-measures.

Since then, in March this year, the charity GambleAware has published the final report of a major piece of research into the effect of gambling marketing and advertising on children, young people and vulnerable people. That study found that exposure to advertising was associated with an openness to gamble in the future amongst children and young people aged 11-24 who did not currently gamble. It also found that there were other factors that correlated more closely with current gambling behaviour amongst those groups, including peer and parental gambling. It did not suggest a causal link between any of these and problem gambling in later life.

The government takes concerns raised about loot boxes in video games very seriously. On 23 September 2020 we launched an 8 week call for evidence which includes a focus on whether loot boxes cause harm and, if so, the nature of the harm. This will put us on the best footing to take any action that is necessary. We expect to publish a Government response to the call for evidence early next year.

Ministers and officials regularly engage with stakeholders on a wide range of issues. Ministers have not recently received representations from either the gambling or the sports sectors about gambling advertising or sponsorship of professional sports teams. The House of Lords Select Committee on the Economic and Social Impact of the Gambling Industry and Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group have made recommendations to Ministers in both these areas.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
1st Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the long-term effects of (1) gambling advertising in sport, and (2) loot boxes, on young people.

Gambling advertising and sponsorship, including around sport, must be socially responsible and must not be targeted at children. The government assessed the evidence on advertising in its Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures, the full response to which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposals-for-changes-to-gaming-machines-and-social-responsibility-measures.

Since then, in March this year, the charity GambleAware has published the final report of a major piece of research into the effect of gambling marketing and advertising on children, young people and vulnerable people. That study found that exposure to advertising was associated with an openness to gamble in the future amongst children and young people aged 11-24 who did not currently gamble. It also found that there were other factors that correlated more closely with current gambling behaviour amongst those groups, including peer and parental gambling. It did not suggest a causal link between any of these and problem gambling in later life.

The government takes concerns raised about loot boxes in video games very seriously. On 23 September 2020 we launched an 8 week call for evidence which includes a focus on whether loot boxes cause harm and, if so, the nature of the harm. This will put us on the best footing to take any action that is necessary. We expect to publish a Government response to the call for evidence early next year.

Ministers and officials regularly engage with stakeholders on a wide range of issues. Ministers have not recently received representations from either the gambling or the sports sectors about gambling advertising or sponsorship of professional sports teams. The House of Lords Select Committee on the Economic and Social Impact of the Gambling Industry and Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group have made recommendations to Ministers in both these areas.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
9th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their modelling relating to controls on numbers of students domiciled in England attending Welsh universities; and whether such modelling recognised the risk of a disproportionate financial impact on Welsh universities as a result of such controls.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Universities have regular meetings with Welsh ministers, and ministers from all the devolved administrations, about higher education issues. These discussions have included the development of student number controls policy. The department’s officials also have regular meetings and discussions with their counterparts.

Student number controls are a direct response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They are designed to minimise the impact to the financial threat posed by COVID-19 and they form a key part of the package of measures to stabilise the university admissions system.

These controls are a temporary measure and will be in place for one academic year only. Student number controls for institutions in the devolved administrations only apply to the number of English-domiciled entrants who will be supported with their tuition fees through the Student Loans Company. They are set at a level which will allow every institution to take more first year English students than they took last year. The funding of English-domiciled students is not a devolved matter and it is right and fair that this policy should apply as consistently as possible wherever they are studying in the UK.

Ministers will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations on strengthening and stabilising the higher education system following the COVID-19 outbreak.

2nd Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received in relation to the proposal by the Office for Students to cut funding to universities providing pre-registration clinical training for physiotherapists and other student clinicians by 3 per cent.

No representations have been made to Her Majesty’s Government in relation to the proposal by the Office for Students (OfS) to make savings to teaching grant funding, including for some pre-registration clinical courses.

The OfS consulted on their proposals, which include a proposal to make additional budget provision for providers in a small number of high-cost and high-priority areas, to reflect additional students on pre-registration courses in medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health professions. Providers and other interested parties have therefore had an opportunity to make representations. The OfS will conclude the consultation in due course.

2nd Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of a reduction in university funding on the expansion of physiotherapy training.

No representations have been made to Her Majesty’s Government in relation to the proposal by the Office for Students (OfS) to make savings to teaching grant funding, including for some pre-registration clinical courses.

The OfS consulted on their proposals, which include a proposal to make additional budget provision for providers in a small number of high-cost and high-priority areas, to reflect additional students on pre-registration courses in medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health professions. Providers and other interested parties have therefore had an opportunity to make representations. The OfS will conclude the consultation in due course.

1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require registration plates on all (1) bicycles, and (2) adult-sized electric scooters

The Government has no plans to introduce a mandatory registration scheme for cycle ownership. The costs of doing so would outweigh the benefits, and this would deter many people from cycling particularly if cyclists (including children) had to cover the costs of such a system. There would be many practical difficulties too: registration plates would need to be large enough to be seen by cameras and other road users, and there is not generally enough space on bikes to allow for this.

The Department is running trials of rental e-scooters to assess their safety and wider impacts. Trials e-scooters are required to carry a unique identifier that will aid with enforcement. Privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal during trials. We are carefully considering all future requirements for legal use of e-scooters.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) deaths, (2) serious injuries, and (3) other injuries, were suffered by (a) pedestrians, and (b) cyclists in England in each year since 2016, broken down by the speed limit on the road on which the accident occurred.

The number of deaths, serious injuries, and other injuries, which were suffered by pedestrians, and cyclists in England in each year since 2016, broken down by the speed limit can be found in the attached table.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a default 20mph speed limit in England around all (1) schools, (2) university entrances, and (3) hospitals.

The Government does not have any plans to introduce default 20mph speed limits in England around schools, university entrances or hospitals.

Local authorities have the power to set 20mph speed limits where people and traffic mix; they are best placed to determine the speed limits for their areas, based on local knowledge and the views of the community. They are asked to have regard to the Department for Transport’s guidance ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’, which is designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing the flexibility to deal with local circumstances. The final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
5th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the needs of men who are incontinent, but not classified as disabled as defined under the Equality Act 2010, are recognised and provided for with appropriate facilities to dispose of sanitary pads under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, and the Approved Code of Practice; and when they plan to next review the Approved Code of Practice.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are reviewing the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 regarding provision of disposal facilities in workplace toilets only, to ensure they meet the needs of both men and women. There will be a public consultation on any changes in summer 2024 and the updated ACOP and guidance will be published in spring 2025.

HSE is the workplace regulator, therefore the legislation and guidance will only apply to toilets for use by workers in workplaces, made available to them as a place of work.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential benefits of the (1) procurement, and (2) deployment, of professional high-efficiency particulate air purifiers in enclosed workspaces.

Workplace health and safety law requires employers to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air in the workplace and this has not changed during the pandemic. It is not the health and safety regulator’s role to identify the benefits of the procurement and deployment of any specific equipment. This should be considered as part of the risk assessment carried out for the workplace. To assist with these assessments, the Health and Safety Executive have issued guidance on ventilation during the pandemic at:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation.htm

22nd Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK National Screening Committee will publish (1) plans, and (2) timelines, for its in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy.

Stakeholders will be kept updated on the progress of the in-service evaluation (ISE) for newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) via the UK National Screening Committee’s blog, which is available in an online only format. The most recent update was published on 24 January 2024, and detailed the progress of the SMA ISE, which is available in an online only format.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
25th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many babies born in England between January 2012 and December 2022 had neural tube defects; and how many pregnancies were terminated in that period because of neural tube defects.

In the period January 2012 to December 2021, there were 8,052 mentions of congenital malformations of the nervous system under Ground E abortions for residents of England and Wales within both nations. Information on neural tube defects is published by number of mentions rather than number of pregnancies terminated, and it is possible for a pregnancy to have more than one neural tube defect. Data for January to December 2022 is not yet available and is due to be published in January 2024.

Data from the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service shows that between 2015 and 2021, there were 3,124 babies born in England who had neural tube defects.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
24th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of applications to undertake clinical trials that require MHRA approval are completed within 30 days; and how many such applications were received in the last 12 months.

A total of 587 valid clinical trial authorisation applications were received and assessed during the period of July 2022 to June 2023. Out of the 587, 100 applications were assessed within 30 days (17.04%).

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
20th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect public policy being influenced by the commercial interests of the tobacco industry.

The Government takes obligations to protect public policy from the commercial interests of the tobacco industry under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control very seriously. The ‘Guidance for government engagement with the tobacco industry’ was published on 19 June 2023 to support Government Departments and public bodies to adhere to Article 5.3 and remind them of their commitments. This document builds on established measures that the Department has put in place internally to limit interactions with the tobacco industry and ensure the transparency of the interactions that do occur. A copy is attached.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
10th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take together with NHS England to ensure that children currently in receipt of the NHS Special Schools Eye Care Service who attend day special schools will continue to access the service to meet their needs.

The NHS Long Term Plan made a commitment to ensure that children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism in special residential schools have access to sight checks in school. To fulfil that commitment, NHS England commenced a proof-of-concept programme in 2021, piloting sight testing and the dispensing of glasses in special schools.

NHS England are currently considering the evaluation of this special school programme, to determine how services to meet the eye care needs of children with learning disabilities in school settings should be commissioned and will set out next steps shortly.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of hospice beds that have been lost due to shortfalls in the funding through integrated care boards and where no alternative provision has been made by local NHS providers.

No specific assessment has been made. Palliative and end of life care is commissioned at a local level by integrated care boards (ICBs) in response to the needs of their local population. NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications to support ICBs in commissioning a range of palliative and end of life services, including inpatient beds, that meet local needs and preferences.

In addition, NHS England has funded the establishment of a palliative and end of life care Strategic Clinical Network in every NHS England region to work closely with local commissioners on the development of accessible, high quality and sustainable services.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that integrated care boards fulfil their obligations under the Health and Care Act 2022 to provide palliative care services to meet the needs of their population.

NHS England has actively increased its support to local commissioners to improve the accessibility, quality and sustainability of palliative and end of life care for all. This has included the publication of statutory guidance and service specifications, with further resources available on the FutureNHS Collaboration Platform. Copies of these documents are attached.

In addition, NHS England has funded the establishment of a palliative and end of life care Strategic Clinical Network in every NHS England region, which work closely with local commissioners regarding the development of accessible, high quality and sustainable services.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to maintain the UK’s international leadership on tackling antimicrobial resistance by building on the momentum generated by the UK’s G7 presidency in 2021.

We continue to work with G7 partners to implement commitments made on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including those secured during the United Kingdom’s 2021 presidency. The UK Special Envoy on AMR, Professor Dame Sally Davies, also recently attended the Third High-level Ministerial Conference on AMR in Oman. In November 2022, the Government issued a call for evidence to seek expert contributions to the next five-year AMR national action plan, which has been shared with international counterparts.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of additional market incentive options to encourage industry and others to fund research and trials for new antibiotics, including those used to treat chronic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis.

In July 2019, a pilot was launched to develop and test a ‘subscription-style’ evaluation and payment model for antibiotics in England, which would pay pharmaceutical companies for access to antibiotics based on the value to the National Health Service, rather than the volume used. This model aims to incentivise pharmaceutical companies to develop new, novel antimicrobials which can be used appropriately, including those to treat chronic lung disease in people with cystic fibrosis.

Payments from NHS England to two pharmaceutical companies involved in the pilot commenced on 1 July 2022. Officials are considering how the new frameworks for the evaluation and payment of new antimicrobials can be developed, including through consultation with domestic and international stakeholders. The consultation process will continue until spring 2023.

Findings from the pilot have been shared online via the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and at international conferences. The Government has also advocated for such models internationally, including during the United Kingdom’s G7 Presidency in 2021, to jointly explore incentives to bring new antimicrobials to market.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce health and social care workforce sickness absence.

Local National Health Service leaders have been asked to consider the health and wellbeing of all staff as a priority and establish a preventive approach to health and wellbeing. A national growing occupational health and wellbeing programme has been launched to ensure a preventive, organisation-wide approach to health and wellbeing. In addition, all NHS staff have access to a free confidential text service and to the online Headspace and Unmind platforms until 31 December 2023.

The NHS sickness absence toolkit provides advice to managers to support staff to return to work, including considering reasonable adjustments and discussing the direct causes of absence. For winter 2022/23, NHS organisations will support staff to prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses and all frontline healthcare workers will be offered free COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

The majority of care workers are employed by private sector providers which set pay and terms and conditions, independently of central Government. We are encouraging adult social care providers to invest in mental health and wellbeing services for staff. We will continue to work with the sector to ensure that wellbeing resources and best practice advice are available.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the percentage of NHS staff on long term sick leave in NHS trusts in (1) 2020, (2) 2021, and (3) 2022; and for each year, what was the proportion of each kind of illness that prompted the leave.

This information is not held in the format requested. NHS Digital publishes online only data on monthly sickness absence rates for staff working in hospitals and integrated care systems and the reason for the absence, collected via the Electronic Staff Record. However, data on the duration of the absence and the proportion of staff absent due to a specific illness is not currently centrally validated.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th Sep 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact on NHS services of the removal, on 30 September, from the General Medical Council’s Register of retired doctors who were granted temporary emergency registration to assist with the COVID-19 response.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator of all medical doctors practising in the United Kingdom which sets and enforces the standards all doctors must adhere to. In order to practise medicine in the UK, doctors are required to hold registration with a licence to practise.

The Department does not hold the information requested as this is collected independently by the GMC.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th Sep 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government to how many retired doctors the General Medical Council granted temporary emergency registration under section 18a of the Medical Act 1983; and how many of these retired doctors have applied for reinstatement to the Register of the General Medical Council to enable them to continue to practice after 30 September.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator of all medical doctors practising in the United Kingdom which sets and enforces the standards all doctors must adhere to. In order to practise medicine in the UK, doctors are required to hold registration with a licence to practise.

The Department does not hold the information requested as this is collected independently by the GMC.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
18th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Kamall on 11 July (HL1271), how many children attending day special schools access eye tests through the domiciliary scheme.

The information requested is not collected centrally.

27th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps (1) they, and (2) NHS England, plan to take to (a) ensure that children in receipt of the NHS Special Schools Eye Care Service to attend day special schools will continue to benefit from that service, (b) ensure that the NHS Long Term Plan reflects the NHS England pledge to roll out this service to all special schools, and (c) monitor whether all children in special schools are benefiting from this service by January 2024.

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to ensure that children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both in special residential schools have access to eyesight, hearing and dental checks. NHS England commenced a proof-of-concept programme in 2021 to pilot and evaluate a potential service model in residential schools. Once the evaluation is complete, NHS England will develop a model specification for use in special residential schools. The evaluation may result in recommendations for future service provision in day schools. Children in day schools who are unable to attend high street opticians can currently access eye tests in their homes through existing domiciliary services.

23rd Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Kamall on 22 June (HL620), why the decision was made to remove central funding of the local clinical excellence awards scheme from 31 March; what assessment they have made of the impact this change will have on clinical academies; and why the planned amendment of Schedule 30 to include clinical academies within the group with a contractual entitlement to apply for such awards was abandoned.

From 2018 to March 2022, the Department was involved in tripartite negotiations between employers, the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association to reform local clinical excellence awards. However, the proposal was rejected by the executive committees of the trades unions and the negotiations concluded without agreement.

National Health Service trusts are therefore reverting to the arrangements in Schedule 30 of the consultant contract, agreed with the BMA in 2018. This does not alter the funding and eligibility position for clinical academics and represents a continuation of existing provisions.

22nd Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address shortages in the dermatology workforce in England; and what assessment they have made of the potential role of (1) tele-dermatology for diagnostic support and triage, (2) GPs, (3) nurses, and (4) pharmacists, in increasing capacity for treatment and monitoring of skin disorder.

Following the 2021 Spending Review, we are increasing the number training posts in dermatology in England by 15, with doctors in postgraduate training in post from August 2022. The National Health Service is also ensuring that patients can access specialist care through dermatology outpatient services. This focuses on a personalised approach for patients waiting for outpatient appointments, improving waiting times and offering choice for patients at the point of referral. Pharmacies can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for many skin conditions and where appropriate pharmacists can advise the patient to consult a general practitioner (GP), nurse or other healthcare professional.

Many dermatology departments in England now offer a rapid access Teledermatology Advice and Guidance service for GPs to seek advice from a specialist prior to a referral being made. The use of technology, such as digital images, reduces unnecessary face-to-face appointments and provides flexibility for patients when booking outpatient appointments.

A Teledermatology Roadmap for 2020-21 v1.0 provides recommendations on optimising teledermatology triage and specialist advice, including establishing a working group of multidisciplinary clinical leads and other stakeholders. A copy of the Roadmap is attached. The two-week wait skin cancer pathway: innovative approaches to support early diagnosis of skin cancer as part of the NHS COVID-19 recovery plan also includes a new virtual pathway using teledermatology. A copy of the guidance for the skin cancer pathway is attached.

15th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to require (1) calorie, and (2) sugar, content labels on alcoholic drinks.

The Government has announced its intention to consult on whether to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on pre-packed alcohol and alcohol sold in on-trade businesses such as pubs and restaurants. The consultation will also seek views on whether the provision of the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines should be mandatory or continue on a voluntary basis. Respondents to the consultation can also suggest additional labelling requirements for consideration, such as ingredient listing.

6th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of catheter associated urinary tract infections; and how the effectiveness of those steps will be evaluated.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have established a workstream for urinary tract infections (UTIs) to reduce the prevalence by trialling and implementing interventions which could prevent infections in older people. This includes a series of hydration pilots in England which will evaluate and improve our understanding of which interventions best increase fluid intake in older people and reduce the risk of UTIs. The collection of data within the workstream will enable evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions.

6th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the calculated funding allocated for the local clinical excellence awards scheme is not based on all consultants treating patients in the NHS, including clinical academic consultants.

Access to the local clinical excellence award scheme is a contractual entitlement for all consultants employed on the 2003 terms and conditions. The central funding for awards is calculated on this basis. Clinical academics hold honorary contracts with the National Health Service and therefore have no contractual right to the scheme. However, employers continue to be encouraged to include clinical academics in the awards process.

6th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of alcohol on health inequalities; and what steps they are taking to reduce alcohol’s role as a significant driver of health inequalities.

Individuals from lower socioeconomic groups are more likely experience greater levels of alcohol-related harm compared to higher socioeconomic groups, including alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths. Through the 10-year drug strategy, the Government has invested £532 million into rebuilding local authority commissioned substance misuse treatment services in England. All local areas will receive additional funds through a phased approach according to need, with 50 of the most deprived areas receiving a greater share of the funding in 2022/23. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, we have invested £27 million to establish specialist Alcohol Care Teams in the 25% of hospitals with the highest rates of alcohol-mortality and deprivation.

Since 2020/21, the Government has also provided £50.4 million to provide substance misuse treatment services for people sleeping rough through the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant. The Government will provide additional investment of up to £186.5 million during the current Spending Review period, including £15 million announced through the cross-Government drugs strategy.

26th May 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend the definition of the “Declaration of Helsinki” in Schedule 1 to the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 to refer to the current version of that Declaration.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency recently undertook a consultation on changes to the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004, including Schedule 1. The responses to the consultation are currently being analysed and the response will be published in due course.

11th May 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) raise the standards, and (2) improve the safety, of the cosmetic surgery industry.

The General Medical Council and the Royal College of Surgeons are developing a cosmetic surgery credential. The credential will set out the expectations of doctors working in this area of practice and strengthen regulation and patient protection by ensuring surgeons have appropriate training, qualifications and experience.

The cosmetic surgery credential will not be mandatory. However, we expect the cosmetic surgery industry to embrace the credential as a way of demonstrating that doctors have the relevant skills and knowledge to deliver safe care to patients. We anticipate the cosmetic surgery credential will be completed in 2023.

11th May 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement a credential for the regulation of cosmetic surgery; and what progress they have made with regard to implementing any such plans.

The General Medical Council and the Royal College of Surgeons are developing a cosmetic surgery credential. The credential will set out the expectations of doctors working in this area of practice and strengthen regulation and patient protection by ensuring surgeons have appropriate training, qualifications and experience.

The cosmetic surgery credential will not be mandatory. However, we expect the cosmetic surgery industry to embrace the credential as a way of demonstrating that doctors have the relevant skills and knowledge to deliver safe care to patients. We anticipate the cosmetic surgery credential will be completed in 2023.

4th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government when changes to the National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996 will be consulted on; and when these regulations will be amended to include all medical Royal Colleges.

The National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996 do not prevent NHS trusts from seeking alternative members to contribute to the process of appointing consultants. The Regulations do provide discretion to involve these Royal Colleges where appropriate and do not apply to foundation trusts, which comprise the majority of trusts.

We are considering the merits of amending the Regulations to include additional Colleges and will provide further details in due course.

4th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government why (1) the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, (2) the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, (3) the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and (4) the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, are unable to play the same legal role as other medical Royal Colleges in the consultant appointment process in England.

The National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996 do not prevent NHS trusts from seeking alternative members to contribute to the process of appointing consultants. The Regulations do provide discretion to involve these Royal Colleges where appropriate and do not apply to foundation trusts, which comprise the majority of trusts.

We are considering the merits of amending the Regulations to include additional Colleges and will provide further details in due course.

4th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the NHS Standard Contract 2022/23, when the data relating to the 12 hour standard for maximum waits from the time of arrival in Emergency Departments will be published.

NHS England and NHS Improvement publish the number of patients spending more than 12 hours in accident and emergency (A&E) from the time of arrival in the annual summary report of hospital accident and emergency activity. In 2020/21, 302,784 patients spent over 12 hours in A&E from arrival.

The NHS Standard Contract for 2022/23 includes a 12-hour standard from time of arrival as a national quality indicator. NHS England is currently considering when data against this standard can be published and expects to confirm in due course.

5th Jan 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the introduction of updated COVID-19 test validation approval processes (CTDA), what guidance is available to testing manufacturers regarding submitting applications (1) for new tests and (2) for an updated approved product; and what is the expected timescale from application to decision for such applications.

The online only guidance COVID-19 test approval: how to apply advises testing manufacturers on the validation process for new devices. The guidance sets out the process from submitting an application; the desktop review; how payment can be made; the outcome reporting on tests which have passed; how to make a complaint; and where an application is unsuccessful, how the manufacturer can request a review of the decision.

For updates to products while an application is being considered, applicants must inform the COVID-19 Test Device Validation Approval processes (CTDA) administration team and provide the updated Instructions for Use. For updates to approved products, manufacturers are encouraged to contact the CTDA administration team. Guidance for such updates is currently being developed.

The CTDA team aim to have the results of the application review within 20 working days of submission, subject to the application being complete. This process may take longer where there is a high volume of applications and if there are additional queries on the data submitted.

5th Jan 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the new COVID-19 test device validation approval process (CTDA) on COVID-19 multiplex tests for influenza and other diseases; and, further to clinical demand, what plans they have to change these processes to speed up approvals.

An assessment regarding the impact of the COVID-19 Test Device Validation Approval process (CTDA) on multiplex tests is ongoing. A public consultation ended on 30 September 2021 and a response will be published later this year. As the approval process safeguards consumers and has been determined by scientists, we have no current plans to amend it for multiplex tests.

The Department plans to recruit more full-time scientific advisors to meet clinical demand and accelerate CTDA approvals. We anticipate the recruitment campaigns will be concluded shortly. However, the speed of the approval process is also dependent on manufacturers submitting the correct data at the application stage.

11th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the use of Ronapreve has been restricted only to people who are currently hospitalised with COVID-19; what assessment they have made of the numbers of patients expected to be treated with Ronapreve in the next 12 months; and what, if any assessment, they have made of the benefits of providing it as prophylaxis for high-risk patients who are not in hospital.

The current supply of Ronapreve is limited globally and the clinical policy prioritises the most vulnerable patients for whom this treatment will have the largest beneficial impact. The use of Ronapreve is being monitored and the interim clinical policy will be updated if supported by the latest evidence.

The number of patients treated by Ronapreve will depend on the infection rate over the next year; the degree of vaccine protection; the availability of Ronapreve and other products; and on National Health Service clinical policy. To date, the evidence has most strongly supported treatment indications, but the evidence on prophylactic use will continue to be actively reviewed.

4th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what fiscal steps they are taking to help disabled children, young people and families (1) to recover from missed health and social care services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) to access the therapies, care, equipment and health services they need in for their future wellbeing.

The forthcoming Spending Review will set out the Government’s spending plans for health and social care for future years. On 6 September, we announced an additional £5.4 billion to support the COVID-19 response over the next six months - a total of more than £34 billion this year. This includes £2 billion to tackle the elective backlog and reducing waiting times for patients, including disabled children.

We are working with the Department for Education and NHS England and NHS Improvement to improve the provision of health and care services for disabled children, including access to therapies and equipment. In 2020, NHS England and NHS Improvement made clear that the restoration of essential community services must be prioritised for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities aged up to 25 years old and who have an Education Health and Care Plan in place or are going through an assessment. We are supporting access to appropriate disability equipment via the NHS Supply Chain, which maintains a framework contract for the supply of rehabilitation and disabled services equipment, such as paediatric wheelchairs.

15th Jul 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Dermatology GIRFT Programme National Specialty Report: Proposed Recommendations, published on 15 September 2020; and what steps they intend to take in response to the proposed recommendations.

The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) National report on dermatology was completed in 2020 but has not yet been published, therefore we have not made this assessment. The report will be published later this year, once NHS England and NHS Improvement have reviewed the recommendations.

22nd Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the role of environmental health professionals has been included in the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care's plans for reforming Public Health England and other public health related functions.

We have made no proposals in our public health reforms to make changes to the role of local environmental health professionals.

10th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to work with the NHS to change perceptions around organ donation to make it an expected part of care when a potential donor dies.

A system for deemed consent, known as ‘opt-out’, was introduced in England from May 2020, to make deceased organ donation the default position. NHS Blood and Transplant and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked together to implement the new United Kingdom-wide organ donation and transplantation strategy. NHS Blood and Transplant has launched communication campaigns and partnerships to address barriers, such as the ‘Leave Them Certain’ campaign and the Community Investment Scheme and promotes organ donation at events such as Organ Donation Week and the Transplant Games.

In addition, NHS Blood and Transplant has introduced prompts for organ donation when applying for a driving licence or taxing a car. Teaching resources have been provided in all state-funded secondary schools for blood, organ and stem cell donation.

9th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the proposed timescale for the (1) publication of the consultation on mandatory calorie labelling for pre-packaged alcoholic drinks, and (2) implementation of the policy following the consultation.

We are committed to consult shortly on our intention to make companies provide calorie labelling on all pre-packaged alcohol they sell. The consultation will include further details about the proposed timescale for implementation of the policy.

7th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the definition of a health institution as defined in the Guidance on the regulation of In Vitro Diagnostic medical devices in Great Britain, published in January, differs from that in the MHRA guidance on the health institution exemption (HIE) – IVDR and MDR (Northern Ireland), published on 1 January.

The Northern Ireland Protocol has resulted in the European Union Medical Device Regulation (MDR) (2017/745) and the EU In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) (2017/746) taking direct effect in Northern Ireland on 26 May 2020 and 26 May 2022 respectively. In its guidance on the application of EU MDR and EU IVDR in Northern Ireland, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has included the definition of a ‘health institution’ as determined by the EU.

The UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (as amended) does not define ‘health institution’. As a result, the MHRA has provided its own interpretation, which was set out in MHRA guidance on in vitro diagnostic medical devices when it was first published in August 2013. The MHRA continues to rely on this interpretation of the definition for Great Britain and this has not been altered in subsequent updates. However, this issue will be considered during the review of medical devices regulation taking place later this year.