Contributions
1,056 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD NHS Dentistry: Bristol and the South-westIt is a pleasure to respond to this important debate and I thank the hon. Member for Bristol North West (Darren Jones) for securing it. I acknowledge many of his points but…24 Jan 2022HANSARD NHS Dentistry: Bristol and the South-westI will come to that in a moment, but let me first conclude on the impact of covid on dental services. The hon. Member for Bristol North West may be reassured to hear that the…24 Jan 2022HANSARD NHS Dentistry: Bristol and the South-westThis Government are always clearing up the mess of the last Labour Government. I am hoping to have a constructive debate but obviously Opposition Members are not willing to engage…24 Jan 2022HANSARD NHS Dentistry: Bristol and the South-westI will come on to the contract, which was developed in 2006 under the last Labour Government, and highlight the impact it is still having on dentistry—24 Jan 2022HANSARD NHS Dentistry: Bristol and the South-westNo, I will not give way. The right hon. Gentleman is obviously not interested in my response. In Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, a dental helpline has been set…24 Jan 2022HANSARD NHS Dentistry: Bristol and the South-westI think it is very disappointing for the right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) to say that there is no point in meeting or that it would be a pointless meeting. That is the…24 Jan 2022HANSARD NHS Dentistry: Bristol and the South-westI will not give way any further; I think the hon. Gentleman has made his points fairly clear. I have said to him that we are issuing a range of help. I have said there will be…24 Jan 2022HANSARDFace-to-face GP AppointmentsIn October last year, the Government announced a plan to improve general practice capacity, backed up by £250 million of winter access funds to help GPs and their practices. That…18 Jan 2022HANSARDFree Prescriptions: People aged 60 and OverCan I just reinforce the answer I have just given? There is no decision to increase the upper age exemption for free prescriptions, and the rumour circulating that the Government…18 Jan 2022HANSARDFree Prescriptions: People aged 60 and OverAt the present time, no decision has been made to increase the upper age exemption for free prescriptions.18 Jan 2022HANSARDFree Prescriptions: People aged 60 and OverMy hon. Friend is absolutely right, and he does well to highlight the pre-payment certificate. If people go for a 12-month certificate, which is about £2 a week, for two items…18 Jan 2022HANSARDCancer OutcomesBased on the latest available data—I am sure the hon. Gentleman will welcome this—one-year survival rates for all cancers combined are at a record high, with an increase from…18 Jan 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy right hon. Friend is correct. As I said earlier, the disastrous contract of 2006 is causing disincentives for NHS dentists to take on NHS work. I assure my right hon. Friend,…18 Jan 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend gets to the nub of the problem. The 2006 contract, which was introduced under the last Labour Government and is dependent on UDAs—units of dental activity—creates…18 Jan 2022HANSARDFace-to-face GP AppointmentsI thank my hon. Friend, who is pushing me constantly to improve access for her constituents, but can I reassure her that the announcement, the funds and the support are making a…18 Jan 2022HANSARDCancer OutcomesI reassure the hon. Gentleman that cancer has been an absolute priority throughout this pandemic, and treatment and services have continued. I thank all those working in cancer…18 Jan 2022HANSARDCancer OutcomesI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I put on record—I am sure this is shared by the whole House—our sympathy for Geoff and his family. There is no doubt that despite…18 Jan 2022HANSARDFace-to-face GP AppointmentsI am very disappointed by the hon. Lady’s question. Serious issues are facing the NHS and patients, and instead of playing party politics at the Dispatch Box, perhaps she needs to…18 Jan 2022HANSARD Midwives in the NHSI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Siobhan Baillie) for securing this debate and wish her well with her “vested interest” and her pregnancy. I am sure that her…17 Jan 2022HANSARDAccess to RadiotherapyIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. I should declare an interest before I start: I am still working as a cancer nurse in the Royal Marsden Hospital in…12 Jan 2022