Asked by: Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative - North Devon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) discussions he has had with representatives of the Health and Care Professions Council and (b) representations his Department has received on the potential effects on health professionals of that organisation's decision to increase registration fees.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has many discussions with stakeholders across the health and care sector. I have written to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) asking it to consider the impact of its proposed fee rise on part-time workers, which was raised by hon. Members at a Westminster Hall Debate held on 14 March 2019. The HCPC responded to this letter on 1 May, explaining the practical difficulties and potential perverse incentives of introducing differential fees for part-time workers.
A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified 79 items of correspondence received since 24 September 2018 about the HCPC’s decision to increase registration fees. This figure represents correspondence received by the Department’s Ministerial correspondence unit only. In addition to this, the Department has received nine Written Parliamentary Questions on this matter, and engaged with hon. Members at a Westminster Hall Debate on the proposed HCPC fee rise on 14 March 2019. The HCPC is independent of Government and funded by registrants’ fees on a cost recovery basis.
Asked by: Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative - North Devon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with NHS England on ensuring that the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust has adequate resources to deliver acute services at North Devon District Hospital.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Government believes that local areas are best placed to assess local need and distribute resources accordingly. This year, Devon CCG received over £20m extra funding, as part of our commitment to invest an additional £8bn in the NHS by 2020-21.
Devon STP has developed plans to deliver high-quality healthcare on a sustainable footing. An additional bespoke support package has been developed by NHS England to address local challenges.
Asked by: Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative - North Devon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with NHS England on potential reductions to services at North Devon District Hospital under the emerging Sustainability and Transformation Plan.
Answered by Philip Dunne
Ministers have regular meetings with NHS England and the North, East and West Devon Success Regime to discuss their plans in this area. This work has now been incorporated into the work on the local Sustainability and Transformation Plan.
The Success Regime’s consultation commenced on 7 October regarding community services in East Devon. The consultation sets out options which will ensure there is consistency in the way community services are provided across the county. The aim is to provide the right care first time for people closer to home to avoid being admitted to hospital.
The formal consultation concluded on 6 January 2017 and the next phase of the Success Regime will look at how services are provided in acute hospitals.
The redesign and delivery of frontline health services is a matter for the local National Health Service – clinically led by frontline NHS organisations and clinicians who are closest to the needs of communities and therefore best placed to make decisions in the interests of their patients.
All substantial service reconfiguration proposals must be consulted on, and assured by NHS England taking into account the four reconfiguration tests as mandated by the Government in 2010.
Asked by: Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative - North Devon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his Department's policy to require NHS England to take account of geographic isolation and travelling times when developing sustainability and transformation plans.
Answered by David Mowat
There are 44 Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) covering the whole of England. STPs are being developed within their local area, with support from NHS England. The Department expects individual STPs to take account of challenges specific to their area including a rural population.
Proposals are at a draft stage but we expect all local leaders to be talking to the public and stakeholders regularly – it is vital that people are able to shape the future of their local services.
Asked by: Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative - North Devon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that the Success Regime review at North Devon District Hospital does not lead to a reduction in services provided at that hospital.
Answered by Ben Gummer
The Success Regime aims to improve the quality and sustainability of health and care services for local people.North, East and West Devon’s 'Case for Change' sets out the underlying challenges and opportunities. Change will be led by clinicians, in the best interests of communities. No specific proposals have been identified and the programme welcomes input from the people of North Devon. Hospital-based services will continue to be important across Devon, including in the North of the county.