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1135182

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Genomics: Screening
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which diagnostic tests will whole genome sequencing replace, particularly for blood cancers.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield South East
tabling member printed	Mr Clive Betts
uin	270281
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>During 2019, the National Health Service will begin to offer whole genome sequencing (WGS) as part of clinical care for:</p><p>- Seriously ill children likely to have a rare genetic disorder;</p><p>- People with one of 21 rare conditions where current evidence supports early adoption of WGS as a diagnostic test; and</p><p>- People with specific types of cancer for which there is likely to be the greatest patient benefit from using WGS – children with cancer, sarcoma and acute myeloid leukaemia.</p><p> </p><p>WGS will only replace existing diagnostic tests once the testing is demonstrated to be clinically safe to replace existing diagnostic testing. Initially, existing diagnostic testing will continue to be performed alongside WGS testing where clinically appropriate. This will continue until WGS is able to fully support clinical decision making within clinically appropriate timescales.</p><p>Current testing for blood cancers includes a number of diagnostic tests, the current expectation is that WGS will not be used to replace tests that require very fast turnaround times (under 24 hours) or high sensitivity.</p><p>WGS and non-WGS testing that will be available as part of clinical care is outlined in the National Genomic Test Directory at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/</a></p><p> </p><p>The UK Genetic Testing Network (UKGTN) published the NHS Directory of Genetic Disorders/Genes for Diagnostic Testing, which evaluated and recommended genetic tests for rare and inherited disorders for the National Health Service across the UK. However, there was not an equivalent for cancer genomic testing. The National Genomic Test Directory specifies which genomic tests are commissioned by the NHS in England, the technology by which they are available, and the patients who will be eligible to access to a test.</p><p>The National Genomic Test Directory will be updated on an annual basis and NHS England will implement a clear and transparent process, supported by a Clinical and Scientific Expert Panel, to determine which tests are available within the NHS. This will include reviewing any tests that may be retired or replaced by more modern technology, such as WGS. As the price of WGS falls and the clinical evidence improves, we envisage that it will be extended to more conditions and therefore more patients.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage grouped question UIN 270282 270283 question first answered 05/07/2019 09:24:02 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	394 label Biography information for Mr Clive Betts

1135183

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Genetics: Screening
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the National Genomic Test Directory directly replaces the NHS Directory of Genetic Disorders/Genes for Diagnostic Testing.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield South East
tabling member printed	Mr Clive Betts
uin	270282
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>During 2019, the National Health Service will begin to offer whole genome sequencing (WGS) as part of clinical care for:</p><p>- Seriously ill children likely to have a rare genetic disorder;</p><p>- People with one of 21 rare conditions where current evidence supports early adoption of WGS as a diagnostic test; and</p><p>- People with specific types of cancer for which there is likely to be the greatest patient benefit from using WGS – children with cancer, sarcoma and acute myeloid leukaemia.</p><p> </p><p>WGS will only replace existing diagnostic tests once the testing is demonstrated to be clinically safe to replace existing diagnostic testing. Initially, existing diagnostic testing will continue to be performed alongside WGS testing where clinically appropriate. This will continue until WGS is able to fully support clinical decision making within clinically appropriate timescales.</p><p>Current testing for blood cancers includes a number of diagnostic tests, the current expectation is that WGS will not be used to replace tests that require very fast turnaround times (under 24 hours) or high sensitivity.</p><p>WGS and non-WGS testing that will be available as part of clinical care is outlined in the National Genomic Test Directory at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/</a></p><p> </p><p>The UK Genetic Testing Network (UKGTN) published the NHS Directory of Genetic Disorders/Genes for Diagnostic Testing, which evaluated and recommended genetic tests for rare and inherited disorders for the National Health Service across the UK. However, there was not an equivalent for cancer genomic testing. The National Genomic Test Directory specifies which genomic tests are commissioned by the NHS in England, the technology by which they are available, and the patients who will be eligible to access to a test.</p><p>The National Genomic Test Directory will be updated on an annual basis and NHS England will implement a clear and transparent process, supported by a Clinical and Scientific Expert Panel, to determine which tests are available within the NHS. This will include reviewing any tests that may be retired or replaced by more modern technology, such as WGS. As the price of WGS falls and the clinical evidence improves, we envisage that it will be extended to more conditions and therefore more patients.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage grouped question UIN 270281 270283 question first answered 05/07/2019 09:24:02 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	394 label Biography information for Mr Clive Betts

1135184

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Genomics: Screening
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how will new tests be added to the National Genomic Test Directory.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield South East
tabling member printed	Mr Clive Betts
uin	270283
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>During 2019, the National Health Service will begin to offer whole genome sequencing (WGS) as part of clinical care for:</p><p>- Seriously ill children likely to have a rare genetic disorder;</p><p>- People with one of 21 rare conditions where current evidence supports early adoption of WGS as a diagnostic test; and</p><p>- People with specific types of cancer for which there is likely to be the greatest patient benefit from using WGS – children with cancer, sarcoma and acute myeloid leukaemia.</p><p> </p><p>WGS will only replace existing diagnostic tests once the testing is demonstrated to be clinically safe to replace existing diagnostic testing. Initially, existing diagnostic testing will continue to be performed alongside WGS testing where clinically appropriate. This will continue until WGS is able to fully support clinical decision making within clinically appropriate timescales.</p><p>Current testing for blood cancers includes a number of diagnostic tests, the current expectation is that WGS will not be used to replace tests that require very fast turnaround times (under 24 hours) or high sensitivity.</p><p>WGS and non-WGS testing that will be available as part of clinical care is outlined in the National Genomic Test Directory at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/</a></p><p> </p><p>The UK Genetic Testing Network (UKGTN) published the NHS Directory of Genetic Disorders/Genes for Diagnostic Testing, which evaluated and recommended genetic tests for rare and inherited disorders for the National Health Service across the UK. However, there was not an equivalent for cancer genomic testing. The National Genomic Test Directory specifies which genomic tests are commissioned by the NHS in England, the technology by which they are available, and the patients who will be eligible to access to a test.</p><p>The National Genomic Test Directory will be updated on an annual basis and NHS England will implement a clear and transparent process, supported by a Clinical and Scientific Expert Panel, to determine which tests are available within the NHS. This will include reviewing any tests that may be retired or replaced by more modern technology, such as WGS. As the price of WGS falls and the clinical evidence improves, we envisage that it will be extended to more conditions and therefore more patients.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage grouped question UIN 270281 270282 question first answered 05/07/2019 09:24:02 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	394 label Biography information for Mr Clive Betts

1135217

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Department of Health and Social Care: Iron and Steel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will sign his Department up to the UK Steel charter.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	270357
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department supports the Charter where this is relevant to our commercial activities and only where consistent with the relevant procurement regulations that require fair and open competition.</p><p>The Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Andrew Stephenson MP), wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 29 May to ask the Department to sign the Steel Charter. We are not aware of any further formal discussions on the topic. On matters relating to procurement policy, Departmental officials continue to work with officials in the Domestic Policy Team at Cabinet Office.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond grouped question UIN 270361 question first answered 05/07/2019 09:02:31 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135221

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Department of Health and Social Care: Iron and Steel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has had discussions with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the UK Steel charter.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	270361
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department supports the Charter where this is relevant to our commercial activities and only where consistent with the relevant procurement regulations that require fair and open competition.</p><p>The Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Andrew Stephenson MP), wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 29 May to ask the Department to sign the Steel Charter. We are not aware of any further formal discussions on the topic. On matters relating to procurement policy, Departmental officials continue to work with officials in the Domestic Policy Team at Cabinet Office.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond grouped question UIN 270357 question first answered 05/07/2019 09:02:31 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1135240

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	NHS: Public Appointments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer to Questions 256286 and 259982 on NHS: Public Appointments, what the longest period of time is for which NHS posts with salaries above £142,000 are awaiting ministerial sign-off by (a) his Department and (b) HM Treasury.
tabling member constituency	Stevenage
tabling member printed	Stephen McPartland
uin	270403
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>HM Treasury sets the threshold at which ministerial approval is required for ministerial appointments. The threshold was raised from £142,500 per annum to £150,000 per annum in January 2018.</p><p>National Health Service posts are not ‘ministerial appointments’ and are therefore not subject to the approvals process set by HM Treasury. However, in 2015 the then Secretary of State set out his policy on taking forward senior pay in the NHS which included the requirement for NHS trusts to seek ministerial approval and NHS foundation trusts and clinical commissioning groups to seek ministerial comment for senior executive pay over the same pay threshold set by HM Treasury.</p><p>NHS organisations are not required to seek Departmental approval or comment on salaries of less than £150,000.</p><p>As at 1 July, the longest period of time for which the Department have been aware of a proposed NHS post with a salary above £150,000 dates back to 13 March 2019. The case has not yet been presented to Ministers for approval or comment as further information has been sought from the Trust to support the case. This has not yet been received and therefore the case has not yet been presented to Ministers.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond question first answered 05/07/2019 13:53:03 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	4093 label Biography information for Stephen McPartland

1135245

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	NHS: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any companies based in the EU have indicated a wish to cancel contracts to supply the NHS with drugs in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Wokingham
tabling member printed	John Redwood
uin	270230
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department has been in contact with NHS England’s Commercial Medicines Unit (CMU), who puts in place competitively tendered arrangements (Framework Agreements) through which National Health Service hospital trusts can purchase certain medicines.</p><p>Neither the Department nor CMU are aware of any contract cancellations related to a ‘no deal’ European Union exit.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond question first answered 05/07/2019 09:00:56 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	14 label Biography information for Sir John Redwood

1135303

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Doctors: Recruitment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report entitled, Fair to Refer, published by the General Medical Council in June 2019, what steps his Department is taking ensure the NHS is an inclusive environment for new doctors.
tabling member constituency	Twickenham
tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
uin	270237
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>It is the responsibility of each National Health Service organisation as individual employers, to ensure all workforce policies and procedures comply with the Equality Act 2010. This includes policies and procedures that help to promote inclusivity and prevent all forms of unlawful discrimination.</p><p>A substantial programme of work is being taken forward to improve the working lives of doctors in training through the working group ‘Enhancing the Working Lives of Doctors in Training’ led by Health Education England and the British Medical Association. This includes a range of work programmes based on extensive consultation with doctors including improving the induction processes and the training environment for new doctors.</p><p>For trained doctors who are new to the NHS and who take up Specialty and Associate Specialists (SAS) doctor positions, the SAS doctor development guide aims to make sure that this important group of doctors are helped to remain fit to practice and develop in their careers. In addition, the SAS Charter sets out the support available to SAS doctors and what they can expect from their employers to help provide an optimum working environment for this group of doctors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond question first answered 05/07/2019 11:45:16 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1135304

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Locums
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report entitled, Fair to Refer, published by the General Medical Council in June 2019, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of support locums.
tabling member constituency	Twickenham
tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
uin	270238
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>Doctors who work within health organisations for short-term placements (or locums) may face specific challenges due to the short term, flexible nature of their work. In October 2018, NHS England set out how National Health Service doctors can be best supported to enhance their work experience and provide safe provision of healthcare as a valuable part of the workforce in the publication ‘Supporting organisations engaging with locums and doctors in short-term placements: A practical guide for healthcare providers, locum agencies and revalidation management services.’</p><p> </p><p>NHS England Responsible Officers (Regional Medical Directors) are currently carrying out a review of locum agency governance arrangements alongside establishing established a six-month programme of learning sets for Responsible Officers and locum agency managers to share governance learning and good practice.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond question first answered 05/07/2019 11:53:58 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable

1135305

registered interest
date	27/06/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	NHS: Ethnic Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report entitled, Fair to Refer, published by the General Medical Council in June 2019, what steps his Department is taking to BAME discrimination in the NHS.
tabling member constituency	Twickenham
tabling member printed	Sir Vince Cable
uin	270239
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p>It is the responsibility of each National Health Service organisation as individual employers, to ensure all workforce policies and procedures comply with the Equality Act 2010. This includes policies and procedures to prevent all forms of unlawful discrimination, including bullying, harassment and victimisation from other staff, patients or other members of the public.</p><p>Policies and procedures should be easily accessible to staff and managers and should be regularly monitored and reviewed by organisation boards in partnership with staff-side representatives. Employers provide a range of support services for their employees, including counselling, Freedom to Speak Up guardians, other staff trained to support affected colleagues, bullying hotlines and mediation.</p><p>The Department is committed to supporting NHS organisations in this via the Social Partnership Forum’s ‘Creating positive workplace cultures and tackling bullying in the NHS - a collective call to action’, the Alliance of Healthcare Organisations committed to civility and respect throughout the NHS and the new offer for staff being developed as part of the People Plan.</p> answering member constituency Wimbledon answering member printed Stephen Hammond question first answered 05/07/2019 09:29:22 answering member 1585 label Biography information for Stephen Hammond
tabling member	207 label Biography information for Sir Vince Cable