Asked by: Emma Foody (Labour (Co-op) - Cramlington and Killingworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of people living in Cramlington and Killingworth constituency do not have access to an NHS dentist.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government plans to tackle the challenges patients face when trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.
The Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which includes the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency, have taken a number of steps to help improve access in this area, but we know we must do more.
In the 2024 GP Patient Survey, 59% of respondents in Northeast and North Cumbria ICB had tried to get an NHS dentist appointment in the last two years. Of those who did try to get an appointment in the ICB, 24% were unsuccessful. This data is available at the following link:
Asked by: Emma Foody (Labour (Co-op) - Cramlington and Killingworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of mental health support services for veterans in (a) Cramlington and Killingworth constituency and (b) the North East.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
No specific assessment has been made. Op COURAGE is the existing veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service. The mental health service provided by Op COURAGE includes access to dedicated support for those presenting with substance misuse and other addictions such as gambling. We would encourage any veterans living in the North of England who wish to access this service to contact Op COURAGE via phone or email, with further information available at the following link:
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/op-courage/
More widely, we are aware that many people with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they need. That is why we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, so people can access high quality mental health support when they need it. Improved mental health services will benefit veterans as well as the wider population.
The King’s speech confirmed our intention to bring forward a Mental Health Bill to give patients greater choice, autonomy, enhanced rights and support, and ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect throughout treatment.
Asked by: Emma Foody (Labour (Co-op) - Cramlington and Killingworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of open dentistry practices in Cramlington and Killingworth constituency between 2010 and 2024.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
While there is no data available for 2010, as of February 2024, there are nine open dentistry practices in the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency. Of those nine practices, one is entirely private, and eight do a mixture of National Health Service and private work.
Asked by: Emma Foody (Labour (Co-op) - Cramlington and Killingworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of how many and what proportion of people living in Cramlington and Killingworth constituency are not registered with a GP.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We do not hold the number of people not registered with a general practice (GP), or individual patient’s addresses. As of 1 June 2024, there were 74,697 patients registered at GPs with a postcode in the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency. The data provided has been sourced from NHS England and shows the number of patients registered with a GP in the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency. This data is not directly comparable to local population data as parliamentary constituencies do not line up with GP practice catchment boundaries, so some patients will be registered to a GP in a different constituency.
Asked by: Emma Foody (Labour (Co-op) - Cramlington and Killingworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce health inequalities in Cramlington and Killingworth constituency.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
As part of our health mission, the Government is committed to ensuring that people live well for longer. This includes tackling the determinants that underpin stark health inequalities in order to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions.
The Northumberland and North Tyneside local authorities receive a Public Health Grant which funds services, such as stop smoking, drug and alcohol treatment, and sexual health, which contribute to addressing health inequalities. For 2024/25 the Northumberland local authorities received £18.4 million, while the North Tyneside local authorities received £13.6 million. Directors of Public Health from each authority are working in partnership with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board to support action to address inequalities in health care.
Northumberland and Newcastle upon Tyne local authorities, within the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency, are two of the 75 local authorities receiving funding as part of the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme. In addition, the North East Mayoral Combined Authority, formed on 7 May 2024, has committed to creating a fairer North East, reducing inequalities, and improving health. Its priorities include work to address the causes of health inequalities, such as bringing investment into the region to boost economic growth, improve available housing, education, inclusion, and skills.