Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
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 support sufferers of post SSRI sexual dysfunction.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Patients can visit either their general practice (GP), or a sexual health clinic, for support with erectile dysfunction. Anyone experiencing mental health issues, including those related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use, is encouraged to seek help by consulting to their GP or by self-referring to their local NHS Talking Therapies service.
The product information for individual SSRI medicines describe a range of side-effects, including potential sexual dysfunction during treatment. Some products specifically note that these symptoms may persist even after discontinuing the medication. Patients are encouraged to discuss the benefits and risks associated with medicines with their prescriber for individual support.
As with all medicines, the evidence available for the safety of antidepressants remains under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency after they are authorised for use. In response to patient and family feedback, an Expert Working Group under the Commission of Human Medicines has been established. This group is currently considering the risk minimisation measures for antidepressants in relation to suicide and suicidal behaviour. The scope of this review has been expanded to include the risk of persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping the medication for all 30 antidepressants currently marketed in the United Kingdom.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has funded previous studies focused on the effects of antidepressant medication on sexual function. For example, a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of management strategies for sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants, and to determine the adverse effects and acceptability of these different management strategies.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research his Department is undertaking on permanent antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR has funded previous studies focused on the effects of antidepressant medication on sexual function. For example, a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of management strategies for sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants, and to determine the adverse effects and acceptability of these different management strategies. The NIHR is not currently funding any research with a focus on the permanency of antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children are being treated for poverty related illness in (a) Blyth and Ashington constituency and (b) the North East.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The data requested is not held by NHS England, as poverty is not a metric used for the classification of illness. Although poverty is not a direct cause of specific health conditions, it can be a risk factor for physical and mental ill health. The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children in history. This will include delivery of an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty, tackle the root causes, and give every child the best start at life.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information her Department holds on the number of pharmacies in Northumberland that were contracted to be open for 100 hours a week on 23 January 2024.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom
On 31 December 2023, there were 68 pharmacies in Northumberland, including five that were contracted to be open for at least 72 hours. On 31 December 2019, there were 71 pharmacies in Northumberland, including six that were contracted to be open for at least 100 hours.
In May 2023 new legislation came into force which enabled 100-hour pharmacies to reduce their minimum number of opening hours to 72, to support the viability of those pharmacies and prevent them from closing.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information her Department holds on the number of pharmacies contracted to be open for 100 hours a week in Northumberland in 2019.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom
On 31 December 2023, there were 68 pharmacies in Northumberland, including five that were contracted to be open for at least 72 hours. On 31 December 2019, there were 71 pharmacies in Northumberland, including six that were contracted to be open for at least 100 hours.
In May 2023 new legislation came into force which enabled 100-hour pharmacies to reduce their minimum number of opening hours to 72, to support the viability of those pharmacies and prevent them from closing.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information her Department holds on the number of pharmacies open in Northumberland in 2019.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom
On 31 December 2023, there were 68 pharmacies in Northumberland, including five that were contracted to be open for at least 72 hours. On 31 December 2019, there were 71 pharmacies in Northumberland, including six that were contracted to be open for at least 100 hours.
In May 2023 new legislation came into force which enabled 100-hour pharmacies to reduce their minimum number of opening hours to 72, to support the viability of those pharmacies and prevent them from closing.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information her Department holds on the number of pharmacies in Northumberland.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom
On 31 December 2023, there were 68 pharmacies in Northumberland, including five that were contracted to be open for at least 72 hours. On 31 December 2019, there were 71 pharmacies in Northumberland, including six that were contracted to be open for at least 100 hours.
In May 2023 new legislation came into force which enabled 100-hour pharmacies to reduce their minimum number of opening hours to 72, to support the viability of those pharmacies and prevent them from closing.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
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 increase the availability of medication for people with ADHD in Wansbeck constituency; and what recent estimate he has made of when supplies of this medication will be available.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
Shortages of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have primarily been driven by capacity constraints at key manufacturing sites These issues have resulted in global supply disruptions. The Department has been working closely with the respective manufacturers and some issues have now been resolved. However, we know that there continue to be disruptions to the supply of some other medicines, which should resolve by April 2024.
We have well-established processes to manage supply issues and continue to work with the respective manufacturers and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the supply disruptions are resolved as soon as possible.
We understand how frustrating and distressing medicine shortages can be and we want to assure patients that we are working with the respective manufacturers to resolve the issues with ADHD medicine supply in the United Kingdom as soon as possible and to help ensure patients are able to access these medicines in the short and long term.
We do not hold information or act at a local level but issue regular communication to enable healthcare professionals to make appropriate prescribing decisions.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
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 increase the number of people working in the social care sector.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Blyth and Ashington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many nurses currently work (a) permanent (b) bank and (c) permanent and bank work patterns.
Answered by Will Quince
The information requested is not held centrally.