Contributions
1,737 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHospital Beds: Social CareOf course, the noble Baroness is aware that it is the third parties, whether it be the local authorities or the private sector, that employ them. But what we have done in terms of…19 Dec 2022HANSARDHospital Beds: Social CareThere are a lot of questions that we need to answer in this space—I absolutely accept that—and lots of things that need long-term thought. I think and hope that noble Lords are…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchThe Government are funding a broad portfolio of research in this area through UK Research and Innovation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research; both funders…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchI have had the opportunity to speak to the chief scientific officer in this space, so I am guided by the science here, and I have also heard the impact from the Food Standards…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchAgain, the research bodies are very happy to look at any good proposals. The only place I would disagree with this is on whether you would want to ring-fence a certain amount to a…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchI understand that this is part of the £500 million Blue Planet Fund that we put in place to help developing countries support the marine environment, and we are a contracting…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchThe phrase I used was that there is “limited evidence” in this space. I reiterate that if a good research proposal is put forward, funds are available there. The only point of…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchAgain, my wording was “limited evidence”. There are many demands. It feels as though every day I am up here being asked to spend money on something else. As a responsible…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchWe have set up a research fund; as I say, £100 million has been spent around plastic waste in the last few years. Again, I have spoken to the chief scientific officers on exactly…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchAgain, my understanding from the science is that that is not a concern here. The presence of nanoparticles in the bloodstream has not caused concern to date. However, again, if…19 Dec 2022HANSARDHospital Beds: Social CareThe best hospital trusts I have seen have got that absolutely organised. We see a difference in different trusts between as low as 6% bed blocking for social care and over 30%.…19 Dec 2022HANSARDHospital Beds: Social CareClearly, if we are going to retain and recruit the key staff in this area, it has got to be a good career, and that means that we must listen to their concerns. I know that…19 Dec 2022HANSARDHospital Beds: Social CareI thank the noble Lord. Yes, we are, and I think that is shown by the investment we are putting into place. As I say, that will be up to £2.8 billion next year and up to £4.7…19 Dec 2022HANSARDHospital Beds: Social CareI thank the noble Baroness. She is absolutely right that the target of 7,000 beds is a key part of this. All Ministers have been talking about it with every ICB over the last few…19 Dec 2022HANSARDPlastics: Health ResearchI am mindful that my brief as Health Minister is fairly large but maybe not quite that large. But I note that in this space we have already replaced plastic bags, very…19 Dec 2022HANSARDNHS and Social Care WorkersI thank noble Lords. I particularly thank the noble Lord, Lord Allan, for introducing the debate. I look forward to working with him, just as I have enjoyed working with the noble…15 Dec 2022HANSARDStreptococcus A: AntibioticsMy general thinking—this is a personal view—is that the market is normally very well placed to supply these things. There was the excellent example of the vaccines, whereby it…15 Dec 2022HANSARDStreptococcus A: AntibioticsI thank the noble Baroness for bringing this important matter to us all. Yes, they are working very strongly; I had a series of meetings yesterday on this very subject to go…15 Dec 2022HANSARDStreptococcus A: AntibioticsI thank the noble Lord and I agree. We are looking at every sensible measure we can to ensure we have the greatest flexibility of supply. Expiry dates are clearly one thing we can…15 Dec 2022HANSARDStreptococcus A: AntibioticsThe noble Baroness is correct; it is the coincidence of more than one condition, particularly respiratory conditions, which causes the more extreme cases. The advice is definitely…15 Dec 2022