Question time briefing: Health questions

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ePolitix.com reports on health questions, in which MPs expressed concern over the treatment of NHS whistleblowers.

Whistleblowers in the NHS are "terrified" to come forward, William Cash said during health questions. Cash accused the secretary of state of complacency on the matter.

Lorely Burt (Lib Dem, Solihull) expressed her concern at the lack of quality assurance for out-of-hours health services.

Health minister Ben Bradshaw responded that there are a number of ways to monitor the quality of out of hours services, through the primary care trusts (PCTs), strategic health authorities (SHAs) and healthcare regulators.

David Taylor (Lab, Leicestershire North West) urged the government to bring outsourced provision of out-of-hours services back in house. If this is not possible, he called on the department to monitor provision more closely, to prevent "cowboy clinicians".

Bradshaw responded that a recent Healthcare Commission report found significant improvements in performance since 2005.

Current vetting procedures for doctors from overseas are wholly inadequate, Richard Taylor (Ind, Wyre Forest) argued.

The UK has among the highest standards of vetting, responded Bradshaw. All doctors, including locums, must be registered with the General Medical Council, he added.

Out-of-hours services should be provided by family practitioners who know the family history best, said Sir Patrick Cormack (Con, Staffordshire South).

And the Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb expressed his concern that some European doctors have acquired the right to practise without an adequate level of training.

Shadow health minister Mark Simmonds said that GPs are in the best position to commission out-of-hours services. They do not necessarily have to provide them themselves, he added.

Compelling GPs to provide out-of-hours services would be disastrous, responded Bradshaw. Before 2004, there were recruitment problems and serious accidents because doctors were over-tired, he explained.

James Gray (Con, Wiltshire North) asked why the national flu helpline will not be operative until the end of the year.

The helpline will be ready in October, and will be the most sophisticated in the world, assured Johnson.

Sally Keeble (Lab, Northampton North) highlighted the conflict between public information and breaching confidentiality during a pandemic outbreak.

Bob Spink (Ind, Castle Point) asked when a specific vaccine for the H1N1 virus will be available.

Scientists in the UK have now identified the strain, or isolate, responded health secretary Alan Johnson. The next stage will be to develop a vaccine, but it could take between five and six months to produce this, he admitted.

Dari Taylor (Lab, Stockton South) emphasised that the elderly will be especially vulnerable to any pandemic outbreak.

A vaccine for swine flu must not interfere with the production of the seasonal flu vaccine, Johnson said.

Andrew George argued that the NHS ‘choose and book’ system is not offering value for money.

Stephen O'Brien highlighted that many doctors find the system slow to use.

Bradshaw argued that the system is integral to offering patient choice.

Whistleblowers in the NHS are "terrified to come forward", argued Bill Cash (Con, Stone). Accusing the secretary of state of complacency, Cash said that certain hospitals and SHAs bypass the legislation to protect whistleblowers.

Johnson responded that the law to protect whistleblowers is clear. The new NHS constitution handbook also establishes a protection against being unfairly dismissed for whistleblowing.

Dr Nick Palmer (Lab, Broxtowe) highlighted the similarities between symptoms of normal influenza and swine flu.

Swine flu can only be contracted by travelling to Mexico or contact with someone who has been to Mexico, reiterated health minister Dawn Primarolo.

David Tredinnick (Con, Bosworth) highlighted the need for international co-operation in the development of a vaccine.

The UK is co-operating fully with the EU, USA and World Health Organisation, Primarolo said.

Continued post-exposure prophylaxis is essential to contain the virus, said shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley.

It is wrong for unqualified clinical practitioners to deprive the elderly of hospital beds, argued Anne McIntosh (Con, Vale of York).

Andrew Turner (Con, Isle of Wight) expressed his concern at the level of access to dentistry on the Isle of Wight.

Topical questions

Kerry McCarthy (Lab, Bristol East) expressed her concern at continued inequalities in the prevalence and treatment for cardiovascular disease.

The recent introduction of vascular checks for everyone between the age of 40 and 74 will help meet the 40 per cent reduction target by 2010, Johnson said.

Spink asked when the government intends to respond to Lord Archer's report regarding contaminated NHS blood products.

Primarolo responded that the government hopes to respond before the spring bank holiday.

Natascha Engel (Lab, Derbyshire North East) urged the government to provide funding to support thalidomide survivors.

The government does not provide funding in cases such as thalidomide, but is willing to meet thalidomide sufferers to discuss the matter, Primarolo said.

Interest rates for NHS trusts must be lowered, argued Andrew Stunell (Lib Dem, Hazel Grove).

The finances of foundation trusts falls under the remit of Monitor, responded Bradshaw.

Welcoming the abolition of prescription charges for cancer, Kevin Barron (Lab, Rother Valley) asked when the review of long term conditions will be complete.

Johnson responded that Professor Ian Gilmore hopes to finish his review of long term conditions in the summer.

John Robertson (Lab, Glasgow North West) expressed his concern that drugs labelled as "legal high drugs" are easily available.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is addressing the matter of internet and over-the-counter drugs. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is also considering the need to ban the drugs, Primarolo said.

Mark Harper (Con, Forest of Dean) called for guaranteed access to a GP in England for those living on the border of England and Wales.

Mental health services are seen as the "poor relation" of the NHS, argued Lindsay Hoyle (Lab, Chorley). He called for extra funding to ensure seamless care for the elderly between the health and social sectors.

The roll-out of psychological therapies will represent the single biggest improvement in mental health services, Johnson said.

Finally, Graham Brady (Con, Altrincham and Sale West) questioned the value for money of pharmaceutical "specials".