NHS Improving Patient Care Together is the single improvement approach to support all National Health Service organisations, systems, and providers at every level, including NHS England, to have the skills and techniques to deliver continuous improvement. Information and resources are available at the following link:<\/p>
<\/p>
https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhsimpact/about-nhs-impact/<\/a><\/p> <\/p> The performance of integrated care boards (ICBs) in the exercise of their functions is assessed, annually, by NHS England. The NHS Oversight Framework describes NHS England\u2019s approach to the oversight of ICBs, and is available at the following link:<\/p> <\/p> https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-oversight-framework/<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4044", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Stephenson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Pendle"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Stephenson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-23T09:17:35.707Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "NHS: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2023 to Question 5383 on NHS: Standards, what steps her Department is taking to to ensure quality improvement across (a) NHS England, (b) Integrated Health and Care Boards and (c) NHS Hospital Trusts.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "10452"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683308", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683308/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government introduced a £2 cap on single bus fares in England outside London on 1 January 2023 to help all passengers save on their regular travel costs. The Government is investing nearly £600 million to deliver the scheme, including additional funding redirected from HS2 to keep the cap in place until the end of 2024. There are currently over 140 bus operators and more than 5,000 routes in the scheme, including routes in Newcastle.<\/p> The Government is also providing over £2 billion to help local transport authorities (LTAs) deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP). This includes the announcement by the Prime Minister in October 2023 that a further £1 billion would be redirected from HS2 to deliver better bus services in the North and the Midlands.<\/p> The North East has so far been allocated £175 million to deliver their BSIP, which can be used to support any bus service improvements that the local authority \u2013 working with local bus operators \u2013 know their community needs, including introducing local fares initiatives in addition to the Government\u2019s £2 bus fare cap. Thanks to this funding, Transport North East has launched a £1 fare for the under 22s and a £3 daily ticket for under 22s offering unlimited travel on bus, Metro and Ferry throughout the region.<\/p> More widely, the North East is now eligible for the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement following their Devolution Deal and, upon election of a Mayor, we will work with them on their delivery plans to support local transport within the region. Up to £563m is available from their CRSTS 1 funding settlement (from 2022 \u2013 2027). CRSTS 2 allocations were announced as part of Network North in October, with the North East indicatively allocated a further £1,849 billion from 2027/28 -2031/32.<\/p> Additionally, there are a range of discounts available to 16 to 24-year-olds to help with the cost of rail travel - in 2019 we introduced the 16-17 Saver, meaning that a 50% discount is available to children throughout their period of compulsory education and training. For those aged 16-25, the 16-25 Railcard offers a third off most rail travel.<\/p> In England, the majority of bus services outside London operate on a commercial basis, and decisions about offering reduced or discounted fares for commercial bus services are predominantly for operators to take. Many bus operators currently offer discounted travel cards for younger people. Our most recent set of statistics shows that at least one commercial operator in 71 out of 84 travel concession authority areas in England, outside London, offered some form of discounted travel for young people.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-23T14:38:01.52Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Transport: Newcastle upon Tyne"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he is taking steps to increase access to affordable public transport options for people aged between 16 and 24 in Newcastle.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "10453"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683309", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Science, Innovation and Technology"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683309/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Continuing DSIT\u2019s commitment to support R&D for international development, the Department has invested £280 million in ODA R&D for activity already live under the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and the Newton Fund over this Spending Review period; and, £218 million of ODA R&D for new activity under the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). Annual spend data will be available through the established \u201cStatistics on International Development\u201d (SID) process.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4874", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Griffith"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Arundel and South Downs"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Griffith"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-23T10:59:43.183Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "216"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Development Aid: Research"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what budget has been allocated to Official Development Assistance (ODA) R&D for the 2024-25 financial year; and whether the Government plans to announce funding programmes in addition to the International Science Partnerships Fund to make ODA R&D funding available to researchers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "10454"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682875", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1682875/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) does not take the size of the affected community into account when making recommendation on the clinical and cost effectiveness of medicines.<\/p> In 2017, a Budget Impact Test was introduced to mitigate the affordability challenge that higher cost medicines for large patient populations can present to the National Health Service, even at a cost-effective price. If the estimated budget impact of a medicine exceeds £20 million in any of the first three years of its use, NHS England may engage in commercial discussions with the company to mitigate the impact that funding the medicine would have on the rest of the NHS.<\/p> NICE is currently developing guidance for the NHS on the clinical and cost effectiveness of Kaftrio and other cystic fibrosis medicines and is engaging with patient groups as part of the appraisal process. NICE recently consulted on its draft recommendations and is now engaging with key stakeholders to determine the most appropriate next steps. This includes exploring potential commercial solutions.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4044", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Stephenson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Pendle"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Stephenson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-23T14:50:02.857Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cystic Fibrosis: Medical Treatments"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NICE\u2019s assessment of the costs and benefits of funding a medication takes into account the size of the community affected; and what discussions NICE has had with patients on the use of Kaftrio for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "10116"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683028", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683028/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " A competent professional is someone suitably qualified or experienced in the field. Having worked in a field or having an intelligent interest alone, does not make a person a competent professional. They must have enough knowledge and experience relevant to the qualifying project.<\/p> <\/p> The opinion of a competent professional should set out:<\/p> HMRC will give due weight to an opinion offered by the company\u2019s competent professional but further enquiry may still be needed, especially where the opinion omits the required information, as set out above.<\/p> HMRC are committed to adhering to the values set out in the HMRC Charter and have a quality assurance programme to ensure consistency when applying guidance.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4407", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nigel Huddleston"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nigel Huddleston"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-22T17:16:24.537Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Research: Tax Allowances"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that HM Revenue and Customs' definition of a competent professional is applied consistently when assessing research and development tax relief claims.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "10118"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683029", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683029/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " All R&D claims go through a risk screening process before the payment process. Where risks are identified, HMRC opens enquires into those claims following the HMRC Enquiry manual, a detailed guidance framework on conducting compliance checks.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4407", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nigel Huddleston"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nigel Huddleston"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-23T12:11:19.767Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Research: Tax Allowances"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure consistency in the processing of claims for (a) Research and Development Expenditure Credit and (b) research and development tax relief for small and medium-sized enterprise; and what training is received by HMRC staff working on such claims.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "10119"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683030", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683030/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " R&D tax relief will continue to be available to all sectors following the merger of the small or medium enterprise (SME) and Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) schemes.<\/p> The government will monitor the impact on claimants of R&D relief policy changes, including on sectors, through information collected from claims and claim notifications.<\/p>