Deirdre Costigan MP: written questions
4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025
How these years work
Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
31 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Hospitals: Community CareDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 902069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to shift care from hospitals into the community.
Answer: It is vital to move services from hospital to community. The Chancellor made funding available for 380,000 more talking therapies for patients and put in place a £26 million capital investment scheme for mental health crisis centres. A lot of work has bee...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15301More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, If he will make a comparative assessment of the adequacy of NHS care at (a) weekends and (b) weekdays.
Answer: The National Health Service is committed to ensuring safe, high-quality care is available to patients seven days a week, whether they require emergency treatment or ongoing care. While there are natural variations in activity levels between weekends and w...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPatients: HomelessnessDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13829More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people facing homelessness are discharged safely from hospital in winter 2024-25.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have published guidance and supporting materials for health and care staff on discharging people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. This ensures ...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordColonoscopy: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13539More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of colonoscopy procedures in each of the next five years.
Answer: The Department does not publish data on future projections for colonoscopy procedures, including projections over the next five years. However, demand modelling is a routine part of our work.The Government is committed to transforming diagnostic services,...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBowel Cancer: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13538More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to support the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the diagnosis of bowel cancer; and whether he has made an assessment of the barriers to effective adoption of that
Answer: We recognise the importance of innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) in improving cancer diagnosis. We are supportive of the use of AI to support the diagnosis of many types of cancer, including bowel cancer. New AI technologies are being developed ...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBowel CancerDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13537More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average overall cost for bowel cancer patients was in each of the last five years.
Answer: Information on the average overall cost for bowel cancer patients is not specifically recorded.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has set out how the Department will receive an additional £22.6 billion in resource spending in 2025/26, comp...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordColonoscopyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13536More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time was between referral for and receipt of a colonoscopy in each trust in each year between 2020 and 2024.
Answer: Data is not held centrally on the average waiting time between referral for and receipt of a colonoscopy in each National Health Service trust, each year between 2020 and 2024.Data is published on the median waiting times nationally for colonoscopies. The...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure that the National Care Service supports the needs of people from diverse (a) cultural and (b) linguistic backgrounds.
Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: Disability and Older PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) disabled and (b) elderly people are consulted before delivery of a National Care Service.
Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCare Workers: VacanciesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle staffing shortages in the care sector.
Answer: The adult social care workforce is growing, with Skills for Care data showing that in 2023/24 there were 1.705 million filled posts, an increase of 70,000 since 2022/23. Whilst this represents an improvement, the Government recognises the scale of reforms...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his timeline is for implementation of a National Care Service.
Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8282More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on implementation of a National Care Service.
Answer: The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introduc...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHeart Diseases and Strokes: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent the causes of (a) heart disease and (b) stroke.
Answer: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is a leading cause of avoidable disability and premature death in the United Kingdom. This is why the Government has set a goal for fewer lives being lost to the biggest killers, including ...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAlcoholic Drinks: MisuseDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the the potential merits of creating a national strategy to reduce alcohol harm.
Answer: Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to understand how best to reduce alcohol-re...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInfant MortalityDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve care for families after (a) pregnancy loss and (b) the death of a baby.
Answer: The Government is committed to delivering compassionate care for women, and supporting parents who have experienced any type of baby loss. Many trusts have specialist bereavement midwives, who are trained to care for and support parents and families who h...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMaternity Services: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve maternity services.
Answer: The Government recognises the significant issues within maternity services. We are determined to ensure all women and babies receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.We are committed to providing support to trusts failing on maternity care, whic...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Sleeping RoughDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6773More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve coordination between health services and homelessness support organisations to tackle the healthcare needs of rough sleepers with (a) substance misuse and (b) men
Answer: The Department is funding the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant (RSDATG) in 83 local authorities, of which Ealing is one. This programme funds targeted services to improve drug and alcohol treatment and support to people who sleep rough, or ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPodiatry: Sleeping RoughDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6772More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to podiatry services for rough sleepers that are not eligible for full public funding due to their immigration status.
Answer: Integrated care boards are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local population with the resources they are allocated, including in respect of podiatry services. This starts with general practice (GP) registr...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordOphthalmic Services: Sleeping RoughDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6771More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to optometry services for rough sleepers who are not eligible for full public funding due to their immigration status.
Answer: Individuals can apply for help with the cost of sight tests and glasses through the NHS low-income scheme. This includes people seeking asylum, refused asylum seekers in receipt of Home Office support and some refugees who will be eligible for cost exempt...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Services: Sleeping RoughDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6770More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to dental care for rough sleepers who are not eligible for full public funding due to their immigration status.
Answer: The Department recognises the importance of reducing barriers to services for those experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping. This is why we supported the development and implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidan...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCarers: Government AssistanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6769More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that unpaid carers (a) are adequacy supported and (b) have access to (i) short breaks and (ii) legal advice.
Answer: Lord Darzi’s independent review of the NHS is clear that a fresh approach to supporting and involving unpaid carers is required to improve outcomes for carers, people needing care and the NHS.We will carefully consider these findings as part of our 10-yea...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: TrainingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6768More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the training provided to adult social care workers that undertake tasks delegated to them by NHS staff.
Answer: Employers in the health system are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver appropriate treatment to patients, which includes the provision of appropriate training for adult social care workers undertaking...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPatients: SafetyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6767More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on patient safety of adult social care workers (a) administering vaccines and (b) undertaking other NHS delegated tasks.
Answer: Employers in the health and care system are responsible for ensuring that adult social care workers are competent to undertake the healthcare activity delegated to them, with sufficient training, development, and support to the required standard.The adult...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: Labour TurnoverDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6766More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve adult social care workforce retention.
Answer: Skills for Care data shows improvement in workforce retention in adult social care, the staff turnover rate decreased from 29.1% in 2022/23 to 24.8% in 2023/24 in the independent and local authority sectors. This may be partly due to the increase in inter...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6765More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to reduce the number of people waiting for an adult social care assessment.
Answer: We recognise there are challenges in adult social care, with some people waiting too long for a care assessment. There are long-term reforms needed in social care and we will work with the sector to build consensus for the reforms needed to create a susta...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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