Westminster Hall Backs Vascular Reform and Stronger Fatherhood Support

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall considered reform of the vascular sector and the contribution of fathers and positive male role models. The vascular debate focused on earlier diagnosis, community foot protection, national pathways, waiting times, outcome-based commissioning and access to innovation; the Minister referred to existing guidance, diagnostic expansion and NHS waiting-time targets. The second debate considered father involvement, paternity leave, family support, mentoring, male mental health and harmful online influences; the Minister said that a men and boys summit would take place in due course, parental leave was under review, and work on mentoring and family support was continuing. Both motions were agreed to, and no division is recorded in the transcript.

Detailed Summary

Potential merits of reform of the vascular sector

Jim Shannon (Member for Strangford) said that vascular disease caused significant harm but did not receive the same attention as conditions such as cancer. Members identified delayed diagnosis, inconsistent referral pathways, variable access to specialist care and deprivation-related inequalities in amputation rates. Shannon and Zubir Ahmed supported a national foot attack pathway, same-day or next-day triage, multidisciplinary community foot protection services, maximum waiting times and commissioning based on outcomes. Ahmed asked whether vascular disease was treated as a “second-class” disease. Helen Morgan referred to the APPG’s finding of “thousands of avoidable lower-limb amputations each year”. Juliet Campbell separately called for heart failure to be an explicit and measurable priority within the cardiovascular disease modern service framework, noting that “80% of diagnoses are made in hospital” in England.

Neil Shastri-Hurst questioned whether the cardiovascular disease modern service framework contained sufficiently specific vascular standards, leadership and accountability. He asked which of the APPG’s five recommendations the Government accepted and how integrated care boards would deliver them during NHS reorganisation. James Frith, the Minister responding to the debate, said that national standards should be combined with locally commissioned services and accountability: “we should have standards that we expect nationally”. He referred to NHS England guidance under which people with suspected infection, rapid deterioration or a diabetic foot ulcer should receive urgent wound assessment within 24 hours, while routine assessments should take place within five to seven working days. He also referred to the target that 92% of elective-care patients’ waiting times from referral to treatment should be within 18 weeks by March 2029, four new community diagnostic centres during 2026-27, outcome-based commissioning and the phased innovator passport. The Minister acknowledged the need to distinguish vascular conditions within the wider framework and said that the Government’s approach was aligned with the APPG’s ambitions. The motion was agreed to, and the sitting was suspended; no division is recorded in the transcript.

Contribution of fathers and positive male role models to families and society

Sam Rushworth (Member for Bishop Auckland) argued that supportive fathers and other positive male role models could benefit children’s development and fathers’ wellbeing, while recognising that some children experienced abuse and that positive role models could be found outside the home. Members discussed evidence linking father involvement with educational, emotional and behavioural outcomes, alongside concerns about male mental health, father absence, reduced youth provision and harmful online influences. Several Members supported six weeks of paternity leave paid at 90% of earnings, including better access for self-employed and insecure workers. They also called for family hubs, parenting support, improved arrangements for separated families, more male teachers, and support for community mentoring, sports and youth organisations. Alex Brewer stressed that “a child does not need a father in the house to flourish”. Rebecca Smith argued that “where there is a safe, loving and willing father, the starting point should be meaningful involvement and as much contact as possible”.

Jake Richards, the Minister with responsibility for men and boys, said that the Government would undertake a men and boys summit “in due course and at the right moment” and was considering a format involving communities beyond Westminster. He described work to expand mentoring and referred to existing schemes and possible further Government action. He said that new school guidance addressed positive conceptions of masculinity and femininity and positive male role models. He described Best Start family hubs as including flexible weekend provision, dedicated groups and outreach through trusted community settings. On parental leave, he said that the Government were reviewing the system and would provide an update to Parliament early the following year. He also said that the men and boys agenda would include the devolved nations and that he would ensure that this happened. The motion was agreed to, and the sitting was adjourned; no division is recorded in the transcript.