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Written Question
Pharmacy: ICT
Wednesday 27th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following Pharmacy First claims recently appearing incorrectly in the NHS Business Services Authority’s 'Manage Your Service' portal, what assessment they have made of (1) the loss of confidence of community pharmacies in the Pharmacy First claims system, and (2) the impact on them of needing to set up a manual double-checking system to ensure that they do not lose out on funding.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Some pharmacy contractors have experienced a discrepancy between the data that they have entered, and the data received by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). This has affected February claims for Urgent Medicines Supply. This was caused by the new formatting of data received by the NHSBSA resulting from changes made by some IT system suppliers when implementing Pharmacy First.

The NHSBSA has been working closely with IT system suppliers to resolve the issues and identify the affected contractors. They have extended the deadline for claiming February activity. Contractors will be paid for all Pharmacy First consultations undertaken.

The contractual relationship for the provision of IT to support the new services is between pharmacy contractors and IT system suppliers. Any concerns should be raised by the contractor with their chosen IT system supplier.

The Department is aware of the disruption to service this has caused to some contractors, and the concerns that contractors have overpaid. That is why the claim window has been extended, and the NHSBSA is working closely with contractors’ IT suppliers to reconcile the data to ensure every consultation is captured and paid. We are keeping the situation under close review.


Written Question
Pharmacy: Finance
Wednesday 27th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on community pharmacies, in particular in relation to funding reductions, of technical problems preventing such pharmacies from submitting accurate data for Pharmacy First consultations in February.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Some pharmacy contractors have experienced a discrepancy between the data that they have entered, and the data received by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). This has affected February claims for Urgent Medicines Supply. This was caused by the new formatting of data received by the NHSBSA resulting from changes made by some IT system suppliers when implementing Pharmacy First.

The NHSBSA has been working closely with IT system suppliers to resolve the issues and identify the affected contractors. They have extended the deadline for claiming February activity. Contractors will be paid for all Pharmacy First consultations undertaken.

The contractual relationship for the provision of IT to support the new services is between pharmacy contractors and IT system suppliers. Any concerns should be raised by the contractor with their chosen IT system supplier.

The Department is aware of the disruption to service this has caused to some contractors, and the concerns that contractors have overpaid. That is why the claim window has been extended, and the NHSBSA is working closely with contractors’ IT suppliers to reconcile the data to ensure every consultation is captured and paid. We are keeping the situation under close review.


Written Question
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research
Wednesday 27th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide funding for biomedical research into (1) the causes of, and (2) potential cures for, myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department provides funding for research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including on the causes of, and potential cures for, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.

In the last five years, the NIHR has allocated approximately £3.44 million to support nine research projects on ME and chronic fatigue syndrome. The NIHR is also co-funding, with the Medical Research Council, a £3.2 million study (‘DecodeME’) which is the world’s largest genetic study of the disease.


Written Question
Pharmacy: ICT
Wednesday 27th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what were the circumstances behind Pharmacy First claims recently appearing incorrectly in the NHS Business Services Authority’s 'Manage Your Service' portal; and what assessment they have made of the impact of this on the workload of community pharmacies.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Some pharmacy contractors have experienced a discrepancy between the data that they have entered, and the data received by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). This has affected February claims for Urgent Medicines Supply. This was caused by the new formatting of data received by the NHSBSA resulting from changes made by some IT system suppliers when implementing Pharmacy First.

The NHSBSA has been working closely with IT system suppliers to resolve the issues and identify the affected contractors. They have extended the deadline for claiming February activity. Contractors will be paid for all Pharmacy First consultations undertaken.

The contractual relationship for the provision of IT to support the new services is between pharmacy contractors and IT system suppliers. Any concerns should be raised by the contractor with their chosen IT system supplier.

The Department is aware of the disruption to service this has caused to some contractors, and the concerns that contractors have overpaid. That is why the claim window has been extended, and the NHSBSA is working closely with contractors’ IT suppliers to reconcile the data to ensure every consultation is captured and paid. We are keeping the situation under close review.


Written Question
Brain: Tumours
Wednesday 27th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding they have allocated for research into the (1) cause, and (2) treatment, of astrocytoma brain tumours in each of the past ten years; and to which organisations and projects and those funds were allocated.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £121.8 million in 2022/23. The NIHR spends more on cancer than any other disease group.

The NIHR funds and supports health, public health and social care research that leads to improved outcomes for patients and the public and makes the health and social care system more efficient, effective, and safe. Research evidence is vital for improving treatments and outcomes for people, including those with astrocytoma brain tumours.

The following table shows NIHR-funded research into astrocytoma brain tumours since 2013/14:

Award Title

Contractor

Start Date

End Date

Status

Total Award Budget

Dabrafenib with trametinib for treating BRAF V600E mutation-positive glioma in children and young people aged 1 to 17 [ID5104]

The University of Sheffield

12/10/2023

12/03/2024

Active

£70,000

A randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial of metformin in tuberous sclerosis complex.

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

1/8/2012

28/2/2017

Closed

£239,665

Grand total

-

-

-

-

£309,665

The NIHR funds research in response to proposals received from scientists rather than allocating funding to specific disease areas. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including astrocytoma brain tumours. It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.

It is worth noting that all applications that were fundable in open competition have been funded. The Department works closely with research funding partners such as Cancer Research UK and the Medical Research Council, who fund research into new scientific discoveries.


Written Question
Gonorrhoea and Syphilis: Sick Leave
Tuesday 26th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increase in incidents of (1) gonorrhoea, from 58 diagnoses per 100,000 people in 2013 to 146 diagnoses in 2023, and (2) syphilis, from 6.4 diagnoses per 100,000 people in 2013 to 15.4 diagnoses in 2023; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the resulting loss of working days.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Sexually transmitted infection diagnosis data is published annually, as official statistics by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and is available at the GOV.UK website, in an online only format. There were 82,592 gonorrhoea diagnoses and 8,692 infectious syphilis diagnoses, including primary, secondary, and early latent, reported in sexual health services in England, in 2022. This is compared to 31,177 gonorrhoea diagnoses and 3,345 infectious syphilis diagnoses, primary, secondary, and early latent, in 2013.

Gonorrhoea is increasing in people of all ages, but the rise is highest among young people aged 15 to 24 years old. Infectious syphilis, including primary, secondary, and early latent, is increasing among gay, bisexual, or other men, who have sex with men and heterosexual people.

Dedicated sexual health services play a key public health role in diagnosis, early treatment and management of STIs and we are providing local authorities with more than £3.5 billion in 2023/24 (increasing to £3.6 billion in 2024/25) through our public health grant to support this activity.

We continue to support the delivery of local services, providing guidance and data through UKHSA and my department. In March 2023 the Department of Health and Social Care in collaboration with UKHSA, published the Integrated Sexual Health Service Specification to support local authorities in comprehensive commissioning of services and provide advice and guidance on managing STIs outbreaks.

UKHSA has also published a Syphilis Action Plan to address the increase in syphilis diagnosis in England, focusing on key interventions such as targeted testing, partner notification and awareness raising.

No assessment has been made of any resulting loss of working days, due to gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses.


Written Question
Brain: Tumours
Tuesday 26th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following research from Cancer Research UK which found that brain, other central nervous system and intracranial tumours incidence rates have increased by almost two-fifths in the UK since the early 1990s, what steps they are taking to ensure that the funding spent on brain tumour research keeps pace with the increased incidence.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1 billion per year in health research, through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £121.8 million in 2022/23, and the NIHR spends more on cancer than any other disease group.

The NIHR funds research in response to proposals received from scientists rather than allocating funding to specific disease areas. It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

In May 2018 the Government announced £40 million for brain tumour research as part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) through the NIHR. Since the 2018 announcement, the NIHR has committed £11.3 million across 17 projects. It is worth noting that all applications that were fundable in open competition, have been funded.

There is still funding available from the original £40 million announced in 2018. We are committed to funding high-quality brain cancer research, and we expect to spend more as new research progresses.

Brain tumours are a difficult research area with a relatively small research community. To increase the quality, diversity, and number of brain cancer research proposals, the NIHR is working with the TJBCM and the research community to develop research capacity in the brain cancer community. The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome more funding applications for research into brain tumours.


Written Question
Montelukast
Friday 22nd March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency undertook a sufficiently rigorous approach to the licensing of montelukast, in view of the US Food and Drug Administration’s black box warning about its use.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) actively reviews the safety and efficacy of medicines throughout their life cycle. As well as through the licensing process itself, this is done via the Yellow Card safety reporting system, the actions of other international regulators, and patient feedback.

The MHRA updated the United Kingdom’s product information on using montelukast in 2019, to provide clearer warnings about the risk of neuropsychiatric side effects. The MHRA is currently conducting a further review of the safety data, and will communicate any changes when that review is concluded.


Written Question
Gastrointestinal Cancer: Health Services
Wednesday 20th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average monthly proportion of lower gastrointestinal cancer patients started treatment within 62 days of referral for each year figures are available.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The following table shows the average monthly proportion of lower gastrointestinal cancer patient starting treatment within 62 days of referral:

Year

Average monthly proportion

2017/18

72.8%

2018/19

70.0%

2019/20

66.7%

2020/21

50.4%

2021/22

48.5%

2022/23

41.7%

Source: NHS England Cancer Waiting Times data


Written Question
Physician Associates
Wednesday 20th March 2024

Asked by: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the status of the guidance issued by the British Medical Association in its report Safe Scope of Practice for Medical Associate Professionals (MAPs) in relation to Physician and Anaesthesia Associates.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government considers scope of practice guidance for Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) and Physician Associates (PAs) to be a matter for the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) respectively, in conjunction with key stakeholders including other medical royal colleges, the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA), and the Association of Anaesthesia Associates.

The current scope of practice guidance for AAs, which is applicable across the United Kingdom, is published on the RCoA website. The FPA, which is hosted by the RCP, has also published guidance documents relating to the PA curriculum, code of conduct, and supervision. We understand that both the RCoA and the RCP are currently developing further guidance in collaboration with stakeholders, in relation to supervision and scope of practice.

Once regulation begins, the General Medical Council’s published learning outcomes for AAs and PAs will also apply. This sets out a pre-qualification education framework and the outcomes expected of newly qualified AAs and PAs, including professional behaviours and capabilities and minimum expectations for the knowledge and skills required. In addition, employers of AAs and PAs are responsible for ensuring that appropriate governance and supervision are in place, and that individuals within their employment are practicing within their competence.