Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 19th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Dinenage]

Yes. I think this is a really strong signal to clinical commissioning groups about how the NHS values the services provided by children’s hospices—not just end-of-life and palliative care, as I say, but the other respite and outreach services they provide. That is why giving them access to up to £25 million will make an immeasurable difference.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

7. What progress his Department has made on contingency planning for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

[Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab)]

17. What progress his Department has made on contingency planning for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock)]

Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government’s top priority, but we are preparing for every eventuality. I am confident that if everyone does what they need to do, the supply of medicines will continue unhindered.

[Nick Smith]

Will the Secretary of State say how much has already been spent since the NHS no-deal contingency plans were active, and what the overall bill will be?

[Matt Hancock]

Yes. About £11 million has been spent already. The NHS is not generally buying the extra medicines that are going into the elongated stockpiles, but the pharmaceutical industry is. We will of course eventually buy most of those medicines for the NHS. There have been costs to the pharmaceutical industry as well, but the cost so far to the taxpayer is £11 million. I expect it will remain at about that level, or a little higher.