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1738292

registered interest
date	30/10/2024
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	Suicide: Gambling
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what cross-departmental work they are undertaking to address gambling-related suicide.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2146
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling without the risks that can ensue from harmful gambling. The <em>Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023-2028</em>, published September 2023, sets out a commitment to address common risk factors linked to suicide, including gambling, by providing early intervention and tailored support. The Department of Health and Social Care is continuing to work across Government to progress this.</p><p>Along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, we are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.</p><p>In addition, the Gambling Commission has strengthened the requirement on gambling operators to inform the commission about deaths by suicide among customers. The licensee must notify the commission, as soon as reasonably practicable, if it knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a person who has gambled with it has died by suicide, whether or not such suicide is known or suspected to be associated with gambling.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 08/11/2024 13:12:57 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1737259

registered interest
date	28/10/2024
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: Artificial Intelligence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how the NHS are using generative AI transcription tools; and what steps they are taking to prevent the risk of errors generated by the technology.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2050
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/11/2024 answer text <p>New artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being developed that have the potential to improve healthcare delivery and to provide significant cost savings to the National Health Service. These technologies could help ease the administrative burden faced by staff and make systems more efficient. One example is the use of transcription tools such as automated voice to text tools.</p><p>Several NHS trusts are running trials, including a multi-site assessment of the impact of using automated transcription software. The NHS AI team is monitoring these developments and developing guidance for the responsible use of these tools. This guidance will be informed by the Government’s broader guidance on the use of Generative AI in the public sector<em>.</em></p><p>The NHS operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework. The Department has provided £9.3 million of funding to ensure the regulatory pathway is clear for both developers and adopters. Through this funding, the Department has supported the launch of regulatory projects such as the AI and Digital Regulation Service, bringing together information, advice, and guidance, from multiple healthcare regulators to support adopters and developers of AI to easily understand what regulatory and evaluation pathways need to be followed before an AI tool can be safety deployed across health and care.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 07/11/2024 12:48:23 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1734085

registered interest
date	14/10/2024
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	Hospitals: Wheelchairs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of hospital trusts requiring a credit or debit card before supplying wheelchairs to outpatients and visitors and what assessment they have made of this practice.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1532
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2024 answer text <p>This information is not held centrally. Accessibility is an issue of utmost importance, especially in the context of healthcare service provision. The Government is committed to putting measures in place that ensure hospitals are accessible for all patients and visitors.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 24/10/2024 11:16:15 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1734086

registered interest
date	14/10/2024
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	Antimicrobials: Drug Resistance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to integrate an understanding of antimicrobial resistance in the design of health and social care facilities, veterinary practices, and farms, as specified in their five-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1533
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2024 answer text <p>The Government continues to work with a range of stakeholders towards the successful completion of the commitment to prioritise infection prevention and control (IPC), the management of infections and biosecurity in the built environment, ensuring that an understanding of antimicrobial resistance is integrated into health and social care estate design, veterinary practices, and farm settings, as specified in the <em>UK AMR National Action Plan 2024-2029</em>. The plan recognises the importance of the healthcare environment, not only as a potential source of infection, but also how building design can facilitate effective IPC practices.</p><p>Despite a growing body of evidence to suggest that the hospital-built environment, its fabric, layout, and equipment, can contribute to the spread of infection, the mechanisms are still not fully understood. The UK Health Security Agency has unique expertise and capabilities for investigating how the indoor environment contributes to the spread of infection, including aerobiology expertise deployed during various outbreaks, for example in COVID-19 and Mpox, and a dedicated research facility designed and built to simulate a hospital ward.</p><p>The age of much of the National Health Service estate means there is an ongoing need for repair, renovation, or replacement. Decisions made during the design, build, or refurbishment process are informed by the latest evidence, considering the spread of infection alongside a range of other factors.</p><p>The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs works with the veterinary sector and livestock industry to promote good practices and ensure the farm environment and design enables the rearing of healthy animals, reducing the need for antibiotics.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 24/10/2024 11:24:19 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1734088

registered interest
date	14/10/2024
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	Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Regulation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to regulate non-surgical aesthetic procedures.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1534
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2024 answer text <p>The Government is currently considering what steps may need to be taken in relation to the safety of the non-surgical cosmetics sector. The Government will set out its position at the earliest opportunity.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 21/10/2024 12:29:12 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1734089

registered interest
date	14/10/2024
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	Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accuracy of over-the-counter SARS-CoV2 testing kits in respect of the variants of the virus currently circulating; what plans they have to inform the public about the accuracy of such tests; and what plans they have to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 over this winter.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1535
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2024 answer text <p>Since 2020, the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has collaborated closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the National Health Service, and other external partners to monitor the potential impact of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants on in vitro diagnostic tests. Monitoring is carried out through a voluntary system, with manufacturers submitting bi-monthly analysis reports.</p><p>The UKHSA and MHRA also meet regularly to discuss the sequence and prevalence of variants of SARS-CoV-2 that are circulating in the United Kingdom. This data is generated by the UKHSA and looks at both the nucleic acid sequence across the virus and the predicted amino acid sequence of the nucleocapsid protein, which is the target antigen of over the counter, lateral flow tests. The outputs predict whether there is a theoretical risk of tests failing to detect a circulating variant. If so, this would prompt the need for laboratory testing of kits by UKHSA laboratories.</p><p>The UKHSA continues to monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 through a variety of surveillance systems, including in general practices, through the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Surveillance Centre, in healthcare settings, and via the testing of patients in NHS and public health laboratories. In addition, a selection of these positive tests are sequenced to provide data on circulating variants, and to potentially detect the arrival of new variants. This data is published on the data dashboard, and in surveillance reports, which are published weekly during the winter season, and fortnightly otherwise. The dashboard and surveillance reports are available in an online-only format.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 25/10/2024 11:20:07 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1729685

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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	Dental Health
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of dental surgeries profiting from the sale of dental hygiene products, including mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine; and what assessment they have made on the financial impact for dentists and patients.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1102
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>No assessments have been made on the appropriateness of dental surgeries profiting from the sale of dental hygiene products, including mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, or the financial impact for dentists and patients. The National Health Service contracts with independent dental providers to deliver NHS dental treatment in primary care settings. Dental practices are businesses and are therefore able to decide how they operate, providing they remain compliant with the appropriate regulations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 25/09/2024 12:29:48 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1727768

registered interest
date	05/09/2024
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	Infant Foods: Labelling
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accuracy and compliance of baby milk powder labels with existing regulatory requirements, and what plans they have to bring the law into compliance with WHO provisions on the marketing of infant formula.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL782
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2024 answer text <p>There is specific legislation in place covering the composition, labelling, and standards, including marketing, to ensure infant formula and follow-on formula provide all the nutrients a healthy baby needs for development and growth, and to ensure consumers are informed correctly about their contents and uses.</p><p>The legislation also gives effect, in part, to the World Health Organization’s <em>International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes</em> and subsequent resolutions, which is a set of recommendations to promote breastfeeding and regulate inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes.</p><p>Legislation also requires manufacturers of infant formula and some follow-on formula to notify the Department when they are placing a new product on the market. The Department assesses individual product labels against legislative requirements. It is the responsibility of individual businesses to ensure their compliance with the law, and the responsibility of local authorities to enforce the law. The Department does not monitor enforcement of legislation by local authorities.</p><p>The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is undertaking a market study into competition in the infant formula sector in the United Kingdom, and is expected to publish an interim report in October 2024. We look forward to the CMA’s interim report and we will carefully consider any findings and recommendations following publication.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 12/09/2024 16:37:09 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1722371

registered interest
date	22/07/2024
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	Processed Food
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to help consumers to identify ultra-processed food, to encourage the consumption of healthy food, and to reduce the percentage of ultra-processed food in the national diet.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL200
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2024 answer text <p>As set out in the King's Speech, the Government will bring forward the necessary secondary legislation to ban junk food advertising to children, and will stop the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16-year-olds. We face an obesity crisis, and we will take action to tackle it head on, easing the strain on the National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.</p><p>There is no universally agreed definition of ultra-processed foods (UPF), although NOVA is the most widely used classification system. NOVA categorises foods by how processed they are, rather than their nutritional composition.</p><p>Published evidence has estimated that UPF intake varies by age group, ranging from 51% in adults aged over 19 years old, to 68% in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old, based on National Diet and Nutrition Survey data.</p><p>In July 2023 the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) published a position statement on processed foods and health, and concluded that observed associations between UPFs and health are concerning, but it is unclear whether these foods are inherently unhealthy due to processing or due to their nutritional content. Given the SACN’s concerns, they added the topic of processed foods and health to their watching brief and will consider it at their next horizon scan meeting in October 2024.</p><p>Government dietary advice, based on recommendations from the SACN and as depicted within <em>The </em><em>Eatwell Guide</em>, already shows that many foods that would be classified as ultra-processed are not part of a healthy, balanced diet, as they are high in calories, saturated fat, salt, or sugar. Government advice on healthy eating, including <em>The Eatwell Guide</em> principles, is communicated through the NHS.UK website and the Government’s social marketing campaigns such as Better Health, Healthier Families, and Start for Life.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 30/07/2024 11:09:47 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1722323

registered interest
date	19/07/2024
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	Physician Associates
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to continue funding (1) physician associates, and (2) physician associate apprenticeships, through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme; and what plans, if any, they have to fund additional GPs through that scheme.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL163
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2024 answer text <p>The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) provides funding for a number of additional roles, including Physician Associates, to help create bespoke, multi-disciplinary teams. The government currently intends to continue funding physician associate and physician associate apprenticeships through the scheme.</p><p>The government recently announced changes to the ARRS which allows primary care networks to recruit general practitioners (GP) through the scheme for 2024/25. This is an emergency measure for 2024/25 whilst the government works with the profession to identify a longer term solution.</p><p>The ARRS is subject to annual review as part of the consultation on the GP contract with professional and patient representatives. NHS England works closely with the Department to implement any changes identified as part of this process.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 02/08/2024 13:58:49 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle