Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
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 help improve men's mental health.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Men with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they deserve, which is why we will fix the broken system to ensure we give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health.
As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, which will also help ease pressure on the busy mental health services.
NHS Talking Therapies, which include cognitive behavioural therapy, provide treatment to men, with common mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies services, or be referred by their general practitioner.
Suicide is one of the biggest killers of men aged 45-64, and we are committed to tackling this, while ensuring they live well for longer.
The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023-2028 was published in September 2023, with over 130 actions identified to reduce the suicide rate within five years (with initial reductions to be seen in 2.5 years). The strategy has identified middle aged men as a priority group and targets common factors such as financial difficulty, gambling and loneliness.
Across England, 79 organisations, ranging from local, community-led organisations through to national voluntary, community or social enterprises, have been allocated funding from the £10 million Suicide Prevention Grant Fund and are delivering a broad and diverse range of activity that will prevent suicides and save lives. Successful recipients of the grant fund include Lancaster Men’s Hub, Mankind UK and the UK Men’s Sheds Association through to March 2025.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
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 develop intervention strategies which tackle poor psychological wellbeing as a contributory factor to the development of dementia.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Depression and social isolation are risk factors for developing dementia. They can be caused by, or contribute to, poor psychological wellbeing. By tackling these factors, we will therefore support wellbeing and reduce the risk of developing dementia.
We deliver dementia research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR invested £2.9 million to develop an app that will address identified risk factors for dementia, including depression and social isolation.
NHS Talking Therapies provide treatment to adults with common mental health conditions including depression. People can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies Services or be referred by their general practitioner. We will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, easing pressure on busy mental health services.
Social prescribing is a key component of the National Health Service’s Universal Personalised Care. Social prescribing link workers take a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people in the UK have been diagnosed with severe visual impairments.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Health is a devolved matter. In England, data is not collected centrally showing the total number of people diagnosed with severe visual impairments. Data is collected annually, showing the number of people certified as sight impaired, also known as partially sighted, or severely sight impaired, also known as blind, through the Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI). In 2022/2023, there were 23,993 CVI forms issued in England. Given certification is voluntary, this is likely to be an underestimation of those diagnosed with severe sight impairments.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the formal roles and responsibilities of NHS England’s Specialised Services Devices Programme (SSDP) are; whether the responsibilities of the SSDP have been expanded to include the evaluation and procurement of medical devices; and how his Department plans to regulate the evaluation and procurement of medical devices by the SSDP.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England owns the Specialised Services Devices Programme (SSDP), a national purchase and supply system for specific categories of devices. The NHS Supply Chain provides procurement and legal compliance support for trusts with value for money tendering in the open market, in line with Public Procurement Regulations, and for putting in place fit for purpose local contracts. The published information on the roles and responsibilities of the SSDP, including evaluation and procurement, is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/key-docs/medical-devices/
The Department is undertaking several initiatives to address unwarranted price variation in medical device spend, including specialised services, such as: development of a national product information management system; reform of the listing process for community prescribed medical technology; commissioning the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to undertake assessments of existing product categories; and the development of a methodology for value-based procurement. The Department will work with the SSDP to review any areas of unwarranted price variation for medical devices managed through the SSDP.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) medical researchers and (b) other professionals on trends in the level of severe allergies in children in the last 10 years; and steps his Department is taking to screen more children for severe allergies.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is strongly committed to supporting research into all aspects of human health, including research into allergies. The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health. These are judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality, and the NIHR will work with researchers to facilitate the development of good-quality proposals that will move the evidence base forward.
An Expert Advisory Group for Allergy (EAGA) was established in 2023, and brings together key stakeholders, including clinical organisations, with the aim improving the quality-of-life of people with allergies. Chaired jointly by the Department and the National Allergy Strategy Group, the EAGA identifies priority areas for the Department, NHS England, and other Government departments and agencies relating to allergies that require policy change or development, and advises on how to best achieve improved outcomes.
The Department has also held a number of meetings with the National Allergy Research Foundation (NARF) to discuss both the research and policy aspects of allergies. The NARF is a charity with a mission to make allergy history through pioneering scientific and medical research, to change the lives of those living with allergies, starting with food allergies.
Blood and skin allergy tests can detect a patient's sensitivity to common allergens, including food allergens, and advice on the circumstances under which such tests should be offered are contained in the guidance, Food allergy in under 19s: assessment and diagnosis [CG116], published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The NICE maintains surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance, and would consult on proposed changes if significant new evidence were to emerge.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department and NHS England have made of (a) the potential impact on the availability of appropriate medical devices on the NHS of the requirement for suppliers to report the carbon footprint of all their products available across the NHS and (b) the cost of this requirement to NHS suppliers.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In 2021, NHS England published the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, which sets out a series of milestones to support National Health Service suppliers in aligning with NHS Net Zero ambitions. The 2027 requirement for suppliers to publicly report targets and emissions, and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) for global emissions aligned with the NHS Net Zero targets, will build on milestones implemented in 2023 and 2024. Further information on the roadmap is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/get-involved/suppliers/
The 1 April 2023 milestone required that suppliers bidding for any new contracts above £5 million per annum publish a CRP for their United Kingdom scope one and two emissions, and a subset of scope three emissions, as a minimum. This requirement was proportionately extended to all new procurements from April 2024, with a full CRP required for new procurements above £5 million per annum, and new frameworks operated by in-scope organisations. A Net Zero Commitment is required for procurements of lower value, as set out in the guidance, which is available at the following link:
NHS England has proactively engaged with suppliers prior to and since the launch of the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, and continues to engage with regulators, suppliers, and industry bodies ahead of implementing future roadmap milestones, including the April 2027 milestone. NHS England’s engagement approach has included regular supplier forums with trade bodies and external webinars, as well as horizon scanning of the global and UK regulatory and reporting landscapes.
A key enabler of decarbonising the NHS supply chain is to ensure our suppliers begin to understand and communicate the potential impacts of the products they supply. In doing so, we will always seek that product data asks be clear, and will not place a disproportionate burden or cost on the supply chain, whilst delivering on the purpose of the policy.
The NHS has committed to working with suppliers and regulators to determine the scope and methodology of new requirements that enable information sharing regarding the carbon impact of products supplied to the NHS. These requirements are due to be introduced from April 2028, with NHS England currently undertaking engagement in the policy development phase, including aligning with the Government’s medical technology strategy. Details around policy requirements are still being scoped, and as part of this process, we will seek to incorporate the feedback of the supply chain, and will take into account any concerns raised regarding the potential impact on the availability of devices. the Government’s Medical technology strategy is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-technology-strategy
NHS trusts are required to provide an annual summary of progress on delivery of their Green Plan, however there is no requirement for trusts to carry out carbon footprinting, as NHS England provides annual estimates of the total NHS carbon footprint in the NHS England Annual Report and Accounts.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps with NHS England to introduce a clear supplier roadmap for carbon reduction reporting for NHS suppliers; and what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of current carbon reduction reporting requirements.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In 2021, NHS England published the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, which sets out a series of milestones to support National Health Service suppliers in aligning with NHS Net Zero ambitions. The 2027 requirement for suppliers to publicly report targets and emissions, and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) for global emissions aligned with the NHS Net Zero targets, will build on milestones implemented in 2023 and 2024. Further information on the roadmap is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/get-involved/suppliers/
The 1 April 2023 milestone required that suppliers bidding for any new contracts above £5 million per annum publish a CRP for their United Kingdom scope one and two emissions, and a subset of scope three emissions, as a minimum. This requirement was proportionately extended to all new procurements from April 2024, with a full CRP required for new procurements above £5 million per annum, and new frameworks operated by in-scope organisations. A Net Zero Commitment is required for procurements of lower value, as set out in the guidance, which is available at the following link:
NHS England has proactively engaged with suppliers prior to and since the launch of the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, and continues to engage with regulators, suppliers, and industry bodies ahead of implementing future roadmap milestones, including the April 2027 milestone. NHS England’s engagement approach has included regular supplier forums with trade bodies and external webinars, as well as horizon scanning of the global and UK regulatory and reporting landscapes.
A key enabler of decarbonising the NHS supply chain is to ensure our suppliers begin to understand and communicate the potential impacts of the products they supply. In doing so, we will always seek that product data asks be clear, and will not place a disproportionate burden or cost on the supply chain, whilst delivering on the purpose of the policy.
The NHS has committed to working with suppliers and regulators to determine the scope and methodology of new requirements that enable information sharing regarding the carbon impact of products supplied to the NHS. These requirements are due to be introduced from April 2028, with NHS England currently undertaking engagement in the policy development phase, including aligning with the Government’s medical technology strategy. Details around policy requirements are still being scoped, and as part of this process, we will seek to incorporate the feedback of the supply chain, and will take into account any concerns raised regarding the potential impact on the availability of devices. the Government’s Medical technology strategy is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-technology-strategy
NHS trusts are required to provide an annual summary of progress on delivery of their Green Plan, however there is no requirement for trusts to carry out carbon footprinting, as NHS England provides annual estimates of the total NHS carbon footprint in the NHS England Annual Report and Accounts.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made with NHS England of the cost of carbon footprint reporting by NHS Trusts.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In 2021, NHS England published the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, which sets out a series of milestones to support National Health Service suppliers in aligning with NHS Net Zero ambitions. The 2027 requirement for suppliers to publicly report targets and emissions, and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) for global emissions aligned with the NHS Net Zero targets, will build on milestones implemented in 2023 and 2024. Further information on the roadmap is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/get-involved/suppliers/
The 1 April 2023 milestone required that suppliers bidding for any new contracts above £5 million per annum publish a CRP for their United Kingdom scope one and two emissions, and a subset of scope three emissions, as a minimum. This requirement was proportionately extended to all new procurements from April 2024, with a full CRP required for new procurements above £5 million per annum, and new frameworks operated by in-scope organisations. A Net Zero Commitment is required for procurements of lower value, as set out in the guidance, which is available at the following link:
NHS England has proactively engaged with suppliers prior to and since the launch of the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, and continues to engage with regulators, suppliers, and industry bodies ahead of implementing future roadmap milestones, including the April 2027 milestone. NHS England’s engagement approach has included regular supplier forums with trade bodies and external webinars, as well as horizon scanning of the global and UK regulatory and reporting landscapes.
A key enabler of decarbonising the NHS supply chain is to ensure our suppliers begin to understand and communicate the potential impacts of the products they supply. In doing so, we will always seek that product data asks be clear, and will not place a disproportionate burden or cost on the supply chain, whilst delivering on the purpose of the policy.
The NHS has committed to working with suppliers and regulators to determine the scope and methodology of new requirements that enable information sharing regarding the carbon impact of products supplied to the NHS. These requirements are due to be introduced from April 2028, with NHS England currently undertaking engagement in the policy development phase, including aligning with the Government’s medical technology strategy. Details around policy requirements are still being scoped, and as part of this process, we will seek to incorporate the feedback of the supply chain, and will take into account any concerns raised regarding the potential impact on the availability of devices. the Government’s Medical technology strategy is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-technology-strategy
NHS trusts are required to provide an annual summary of progress on delivery of their Green Plan, however there is no requirement for trusts to carry out carbon footprinting, as NHS England provides annual estimates of the total NHS carbon footprint in the NHS England Annual Report and Accounts.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
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 implications for his policies of levels of vaping by young people.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is concerned about the worrying rise in vaping among children, as rates of youth vaping have tripled in the past four years, and 18% of children have tried a vape. All too often, vaping products are promoted in a way that appeals to children, despite the risks of nicotine addiction and the unknown harms.
To address this, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children. The bill will stop vapes from deliberately being branded and advertised to children, including regulations on flavours, packaging, and changing how and where they are displayed in shops. The bill will be introduced to Parliament soon.
We will publish an impact assessment for the bill shortly, and we will publish further impact assessments alongside our future vaping regulations. We will also undertake an implementation review after a set period to determine the effect of these policies on youth vaping rates.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
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 adequacy of the availability of minimally invasive cancer therapies; and whether his Department plans to provide funding for Integrated care systems to help ensure the availability of such treatments.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has not made a formal assessment. The adoption of new treatments, including increasing the number and availability of minimally invasive cancer treatments, into the National Health Service in England is generally the result of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and commissioner decisions. Both NHS England and the integrated care boards (ICBs) are required to put in place access for any treatment that carries a positive recommendation from the Technology Appraisal programme, operated by the NICE.
Where treatments are approved by the NICE through the Technology Appraisals programme, the NHS is required to fund and make them available within agreed timescales, which vary by technology. Implementation of any NICE approvals will be supported by the service readiness assessment and the development of additional capacity where necessary.
During 2024/25, NHS England will continue to support all ICBs in integrating the planning and commissioning of suitable specialised services with their wider population-level commissioning responsibilities, in line with their individual timeline for delegation.