Contributions
555 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationI agree with the noble Lord.16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationThe noble Lord raises a good point, but we had to go through due diligence and consult. The Government have consulted industry-wide the people who supply the bread and the folic…16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationThe noble Lord raises a very important question. I asked about this, and it is my understanding that the labelling of imported flours will make it clear that folic acid is present.16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughMy Lords, data published by the UK Health Security Agency shows provisionally that whooping cough cases are continuing to rise, with 2,793 cases in England between January and…16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationThe word “medication” was used in this case, but, as the noble Baroness says, it is a supplement that is going into flour, along with lots of other minerals and vitamins that go…16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationThe estimated figures show a reduction of 20% in neural tube defects with the introduction of folic acid into flour, but clearly that needs to be monitored—and from day one it…16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationThe noble Baroness raises an important point. I do not have the details of the figures that she has asked for, but I will certainly write to her on that very good point.16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationMy noble friend raises an important point and he is absolutely right. The sooner we get on with the implementation of folic acid, the better.16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationI pay tribute to the noble Lord and his doughty campaigning on this subject over many years, not just in this House but as a constituency MP in the House of Commons. This policy…16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationMy Lords, the Government remain firmly committed to mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid. This policy is being delivered as part of the wider review of…16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughMy Lords, the low uptake of vaccines is typically driven by barriers pertaining to confidence, convenience and complacency. The NHS continues to collaborate with local and…16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughI am grateful to the noble Lord for that question. He raises a very important point. I have said before at this Dispatch Box, and indeed within the department, that we should…16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughThe noble Lord, as always, makes a very powerful point and he is exactly right. Whooping cough is cyclical. The last time this country experienced an outbreak was 2016 and we were…16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughOn 4 March 2024, the UK Health Security Agency launched a new multimedia marketing campaign across England to remind parents and carers of the risk of their children missing out…16 May 2024HANSARDFolic Acid FortificationThe noble Lord, as always, asks a very good question. The proposed transition period for industry to implement changes in the Bread and Flour Regulations review is 24 months. The…16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughThe noble Baroness raises a very powerful question. The department is working with the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency, alongside those most at risk, working to ensure that…16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughThe noble Lord is exactly right: communication is critical and, as he well knows, if the message is confusing, it is very unhelpful. But the message is clear that parents and…16 May 2024HANSARDWhooping CoughThe noble Baroness asks a very detailed question. There is currently a conference going on specifically on that subject. I do not have the information in the pack, but that is…16 May 2024HANSARDHealth Data: Research and AnalysisMy Lords, I refer to my initial Answer. The whole point of the Government’s digitisation strategy is to take it from GPs and primary care into hospitals, in trusts throughout the…15 May 2024HANSARDHealth Data: Research and AnalysisI do not wish to mislead the House—I can talk only about NHS England. If the noble Baroness is referring to healthcare in Scotland, or indeed in Wales or Northern Ireland, I…15 May 2024