Department of Health and Social Care

On research and innovation, I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 20 July to Question 17992.

In the North East, and across the rest of England, we are committed to increasing access to dental treatment for those in greatest need, including children, as set out in the reform programme published last December, and available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-boost-for-millions-of-nhs-dental-patients

The latest NHS Dental Statistics show continued improvement across a range of key measures. Just under three million additional National Health Service dental treatments were delivered in 2025/26 compared to the year before the 2024 election. Approximately half of those additional treatments benefited children, with access for children now above pre-pandemic levels. These statistics, which include statistics for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, are available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202526

The National Dental Epidemiology Programme publishes data on the oral health of five year old schoolchildren every two years. The latest data, for 2023/24, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-schoolchildren-2024

On research and innovation, I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 20 July to Question 17992.

In the North East, and across the rest of England, we are committed to increasing access to dental treatment for those in greatest need, including children, as set out in the reform programme published last December, and available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-boost-for-millions-of-nhs-dental-patients

The latest NHS Dental Statistics show continued improvement across a range of key measures. Just under three million additional National Health Service dental treatments were delivered in 2025/26 compared to the year before the 2024 election. Approximately half of those additional treatments benefited children, with access for children now above pre-pandemic levels. These statistics, which include statistics for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, are available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202526

The National Dental Epidemiology Programme publishes data on the oral health of five year old schoolchildren every two years. The latest data, for 2023/24, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-schoolchildren-2024

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 February 2025 in response to Question HL4716.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 6 May 2025 to Question 45541.

National Health Service trusts are not assessed through a single measure specifically for long-term chronic or fluctuating conditions. NHS England oversees trusts through the NHS Oversight Framework 2026/27, which focuses on high-level system accountability, financial overrides, and operational metrics rather than granular clinical guidelines. However, the framework directly impacts the management of long-term fluctuating, and chronic conditions through the systems it monitors.

We agree with the merits of collecting and publishing data on the number of working age adults receiving local authority funded social care support. We will publish data by age band, including the age bands 18 to 24 and 25 to 34, in line with existing practice in the Adult Social Care activity statistics publications.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 14 July in response to Question 16199.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Statement HCWS224 made on 13 July, which is available at the following link:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-07-13/hcws224

No such assessment has been made. Electrocardiogram monitoring or stress testing, including 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography and extended electrocardiographic recording, are currently priced under Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) EY51Z. The NHS Payment Scheme and associated HRG classifications are kept under review to ensure that they support the delivery of effective and efficient patient care.

The Better Care Fund can be used to support initiatives such as short breaks and respite care. It is up to local areas to decide how to use this funding based on local need. Funding is not ringfenced specifically for unpaid carers in the Better Care Fund.

Mental health is a transferred power to the Northen Ireland Executive, and therefore is the responsibility of the respective administration. The Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, published on 9 October applies to England only. As a department of state, we work collaboratively with the devolved administrations to drive forward our objective of supporting people to lead more independent, healthier lives for longer.

NHS England does not hold a specific, routinely produced dataset providing the number of major lower-limb amputations, surgical bypass procedures, and endovascular revascularisation procedures for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), broken down by integrated care board and year.

Published information on vascular procedures is available through the National Vascular Registry. This is available through the GOV.UK website.

NHS England commissions vascular arterial care from a number of specialist centres to ensure appropriate management of PAD at a national level. The Vascular Disease Clinical Reference Group works closely with Getting It Right First Time and the respective professional societies to review patient outcomes and support commissioned providers in the delivery of high-quality care for patients.

The Department has published a new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, which prioritises ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care, supporting consistent and equitable access across the cardiovascular disease pathway.

NHS England does not hold a specific, routinely produced dataset providing the number of major lower-limb amputations, surgical bypass procedures, and endovascular revascularisation procedures for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), broken down by integrated care board and year.

Published information on vascular procedures is available through the National Vascular Registry. This is available through the GOV.UK website.

NHS England commissions vascular arterial care from a number of specialist centres to ensure appropriate management of PAD at a national level. The Vascular Disease Clinical Reference Group works closely with Getting It Right First Time and the respective professional societies to review patient outcomes and support commissioned providers in the delivery of high-quality care for patients.

The Department has published a new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, which prioritises ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care, supporting consistent and equitable access across the cardiovascular disease pathway.

NHS England does not hold a specific, routinely produced dataset providing the number of major lower-limb amputations, surgical bypass procedures, and endovascular revascularisation procedures for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), broken down by integrated care board and year.

Published information on vascular procedures is available through the National Vascular Registry. This is available through the GOV.UK website.

NHS England commissions vascular arterial care from a number of specialist centres to ensure appropriate management of PAD at a national level. The Vascular Disease Clinical Reference Group works closely with Getting It Right First Time and the respective professional societies to review patient outcomes and support commissioned providers in the delivery of high-quality care for patients.

The Department has published a new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, which prioritises ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care, supporting consistent and equitable access across the cardiovascular disease pathway.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 11 September in response to Question 26418 which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below:

“Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.

“As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.

“Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.”

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 11 September in response to Question 26418 which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below:

“Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.

“As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.

“Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.”

The requested information is not held centrally.

The requested information is not held centrally.

The Independent Commission on Adult Social Care will explore and consider all options for care and support for adults across the social care system to make recommendations on fixing the system for all those who need it. The commission is considering the interface between health and care as part of this work.

The commission will report its findings by Summer 2027. In the meantime, the Department will continue to work productively with its partners, including NHS England, integrated care boards and local authorities, to support the delivery of national National Health Service continuing healthcare policy.

There are no such plans at present, but we keep all such matters under review.

The Government has set out its long-term approach to National Health Service infrastructure investment through the 10 Year Capital Plan for Health and Social Care. Details of capital allocations and individual schemes are published on the GOV.UK website as funding decisions are made.

In Essex, we have already announced significant investment in NHS facilities. This includes £6 million over two years to refurbish and improve the emergency department at Basildon Hospital, doubling rapid assessment, triage, and treatment capacity from three to eight bays to improve patient flow and reduce delays. Over the next four years, the Estates Safety Fund will also provide funding for essential repairs across Essex, including over £8 million for Princess Alexandra Hospital and over £4.6 million across Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals.

In addition, new community-based mental health centres will be developed in Clacton-on-Sea and at Thurrock Community Hospital, providing earlier local support and specialist crisis care outside accident and emergency.

The Government recognises that prolonged hospital stays can increase the risk of deconditioning and loss of independence among older people.

We are working with the National Health Service to prevent avoidable deconditioning by supporting patients, including older people, to maintain their mobility and functional abilities during hospital stay, with appropriate rehabilitation. We are also supporting safe, timely discharge through discharge to assess and home-first approaches, helping people continue their recovery in the most appropriate setting.

Decisions on the configuration of local hospital services are a matter for the local National Health Service. We understand that the Emergency Department at Cheltenham General Hospital remains consultant-led between 8am and 8pm and nurse-led overnight. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is not currently planning to consult on changes to this service.

On the future of clinical reference groups, I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer provided on 24 August in response to Question HL1992. Details regarding specific groups, or individuals in national specialty or clinical lead roles, will be set out in due course.

On the future of clinical reference groups, I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer provided on 24 August in response to Question HL1992. Details regarding specific groups, or individuals in national specialty or clinical lead roles, will be set out in due course.

Local employers across the National Health Service have arrangements in place to support staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and a focus on healthy working environments. At a national level, National Health Service staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service (Practitioner Health) for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.

On 3 June 2026, we introduced a series of staff standards for modern employment in the NHS covering issues that are important to staff such as health and wellbeing, tackling racism, preventing and reducing violence, and promoting flexible working. The standards are mandatory and will be measured through the NHS Oversight Framework to ensure much stronger board accountability for staff experience.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 9 June to Question 3696 on the action the Government is taking to reduce alcohol related hospital admissions.

More broadly, the Government is taking action across a range of services to help people receive appropriate care before they need to attend an emergency department. This includes expanding Pharmacy First so that more common conditions can be treated in the community, investing in new and expanded Urgent Treatment Centres strengthening NHS 111 so that patients can be directed to the right service the first time, and expanding urgent community services to provide more care at or closer to home.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 9 June to Question 3696 on the action the Government is taking to reduce alcohol related hospital admissions.

More broadly, the Government is taking action across a range of services to help people receive appropriate care before they need to attend an emergency department. This includes expanding Pharmacy First so that more common conditions can be treated in the community, investing in new and expanded Urgent Treatment Centres strengthening NHS 111 so that patients can be directed to the right service the first time, and expanding urgent community services to provide more care at or closer to home.

The Department for Education provides the primary financial support package for English domiciled students in higher education, through Student Finance England (SFE) loans, including those studying pre-registration undergraduate or postgraduate midwifery, as a first or second degree. SFE also provides a childcare allowance for eligible students with children.

To supplement this, the Department provides non-repayable funding to eligible healthcare students via the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF). Eligible students on a pre-registration undergraduate or postgraduate midwifery course receive a Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year and an additional Parental Support of £2,000 per academic year for those with children. Further support is available for placement travel and dual accommodation costs and for students experiencing exceptional financial hardship.

The Government keeps the funding arrangements, including the LSF, under review, balancing the support students need with the effective use of public funds.

The Department has a well-established policy approach to National Health Service land and assets and works with NHS organisations to optimise the use of their existing estate. Under this approach, NHS land and buildings should first and foremost support the delivery of healthcare services.

While the Department sets the national policy direction, NHS trusts and NHS property companies are the legal owners and are responsible for managing land and property locally. This includes assessing whether assets should be retained for service delivery, brought back into use through investment or, where no longer required, disposed of.

Where land or buildings are no longer needed or are no longer suitable for health or social care purposes, they may be sold, with disposal receipts retained by the owning NHS organisation for local reinvestment and estate modernisation. Where appropriate, surplus land and buildings can also support the delivery of new homes and regeneration in local communities.

Such assessments are taking place to inform the preparation of the (a) social care workforce plan, and (b) 10 Year Workforce Plan, that the Government has committed to publish, but for the longer-term projections that the Hon. Member has proposed, it will be one of the roles of Baroness Casey’s commission to analyse long-term demand for social care services and how the provision of social care will need to change to meet that rising demand, including through the dedicated workforce of a National Care Service.

The Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury will provide any further information on the funding of the Defence Investment Plan in due course.

Our plans for the functions of integrated care boards (ICBs) remain as set out to Parliament in the 10-Year Health Plan. We have published ICB allocations to enable multi-year planning for the National Health Service between 2026/27 and 2028/29, and we will continue working with ICBs to ensure that they are able to deliver those plans.

Our plans for the functions of integrated care boards (ICBs) remain as set out to Parliament in the 10-Year Health Plan. We have published ICB allocations to enable multi-year planning for the National Health Service between 2026/27 and 2028/29, and we will continue working with ICBs to ensure that they are able to deliver those plans.

Our plans for the functions of integrated care boards (ICBs) remain as set out to Parliament in the 10-Year Health Plan. We have published ICB allocations to enable multi-year planning for the National Health Service between 2026/27 and 2028/29, and we will continue working with ICBs to ensure that they are able to deliver those plans.

In 2025/26, 10.5% of procurement expenditure for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its arm’s-length bodies was awarded directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DHSC does not centrally collect or hold equivalent data for National Health Service trusts or integrated care boards, which manage and report on their own procurement activity.

DHSC works regularly with colleagues across Government, including the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, on matters relating to procurement, economic growth, and investment. This includes consideration of how public procurement and NHS purchasing power can support growth, innovation, and opportunities across the United Kingdom, including for SMEs.

As a leading employer across the country, the NHS also continues to play its full part in supporting growth, training, and employment in local communities, in line with the Government's broader economic goals, and that includes ensuring procurement opportunities are available and accessible to SMEs.

In 2025/26, 10.5% of procurement expenditure for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its arm’s-length bodies was awarded directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DHSC does not centrally collect or hold equivalent data for National Health Service trusts or integrated care boards, which manage and report on their own procurement activity.

DHSC works regularly with colleagues across Government, including the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, on matters relating to procurement, economic growth, and investment. This includes consideration of how public procurement and NHS purchasing power can support growth, innovation, and opportunities across the United Kingdom, including for SMEs.

As a leading employer across the country, the NHS also continues to play its full part in supporting growth, training, and employment in local communities, in line with the Government's broader economic goals, and that includes ensuring procurement opportunities are available and accessible to SMEs.

In 2025/26, 10.5% of procurement expenditure for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its arm’s-length bodies was awarded directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DHSC does not centrally collect or hold equivalent data for National Health Service trusts or integrated care boards, which manage and report on their own procurement activity.

DHSC works regularly with colleagues across Government, including the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, on matters relating to procurement, economic growth, and investment. This includes consideration of how public procurement and NHS purchasing power can support growth, innovation, and opportunities across the United Kingdom, including for SMEs.

As a leading employer across the country, the NHS also continues to play its full part in supporting growth, training, and employment in local communities, in line with the Government's broader economic goals, and that includes ensuring procurement opportunities are available and accessible to SMEs.

There is no further update to provide the Rt. Hon. Member at this time, but we will ensure that Parliament, and stakeholders such as the National Down Syndrome Policy Group, are informed as soon as the statutory guidance is ready for publication.

There is no further update to provide the Rt. Hon. Member at this time, but we will ensure that Parliament, and stakeholders such as the National Down Syndrome Policy Group, are informed as soon as the statutory guidance is ready for publication.

There is no further update to provide the Rt. Hon. Member at this time, but we will ensure that Parliament, and stakeholders such as the National Down Syndrome Policy Group, are informed as soon as the statutory guidance is ready for publication.

We will publish the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia at the end of this calendar year, to set a clear direction and a long-term blueprint to improve outcomes for people living with dementia and frailty. We are considering options to help reduce waiting times and improve dementia diagnosis and care.

NHS England collects and publishes data about people with dementia at each general practice in England, to enable National Health Service general practitioners and commissioners to make informed choices about how to plan their dementia services around patients’ needs.

We must ensure unpaid carers receive the right support at the right time. This is why the Government is acting now, and the cross-Government Unpaid carers action plan, published on 14 July, sets out how. The plan is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unpaid-carers-action-plan-recognise-refer-reach

We will publish the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia at the end of this calendar year, to set a clear direction and a long-term blueprint to improve outcomes for people living with dementia and frailty. We are considering options to help reduce waiting times and improve dementia diagnosis and care.

NHS England collects and publishes data about people with dementia at each general practice in England, to enable National Health Service general practitioners and commissioners to make informed choices about how to plan their dementia services around patients’ needs.

We must ensure unpaid carers receive the right support at the right time. This is why the Government is acting now, and the cross-Government Unpaid carers action plan, published on 14 July, sets out how. The plan is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unpaid-carers-action-plan-recognise-refer-reach

We will publish the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia at the end of this calendar year, to set a clear direction and a long-term blueprint to improve outcomes for people living with dementia and frailty. We are considering options to help reduce waiting times and improve dementia diagnosis and care.

NHS England collects and publishes data about people with dementia at each general practice in England, to enable National Health Service general practitioners and commissioners to make informed choices about how to plan their dementia services around patients’ needs.

We must ensure unpaid carers receive the right support at the right time. This is why the Government is acting now, and the cross-Government Unpaid carers action plan, published on 14 July, sets out how. The plan is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unpaid-carers-action-plan-recognise-refer-reach