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 ensure areas with high levels of housebuilding have adequate capacity in (a) general practice and (b) dentistry.

The Government recognises the challenges facing areas of significant housing and population growth. We understand the pressure such growth can place on primary care infrastructure. While we have big ambitions to further boost house building, we recognise it must be sensitive to local needs. The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) are currently analysing the results from a recent consultation on making changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to make sure better account is taken of local healthcare infrastructure requirements. Also, additional capital funding for ICSs and GP Practices to meet increased demand as a result of housing developments in their locality may be available through Section 106 (s106) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), or the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including general practice and NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England. For Cannock Chase constituency, this is NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB.

The NHS has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient medical services – including general practice – in each local area, with funding and commissioning reflecting population growth and demographic changes. The National Health Service (NHS) contracts with independent dental providers to deliver NHS dental treatment in primary care settings. NHS England and ICBs across England work together to ensure that patients have access to the dental care they need. This includes an assessment to identify potential gaps in NHS dental service provision and to consider what actions may be required.