Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many overseas prescriptions are dispensed in a) the UK and b) England i) in total, ii) by medicines dispensed and iii) by origin country.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The United Kingdom only recognises overseas prescriptions from European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland. Most medicines, with the exception of schedule 1 to 3 controlled drugs and specials, prescribed in these countries can be dispensed by United Kingdom pharmacies, so long as the prescriber is from a profession recognised by the statutory guidance that is legally entitled to issue a prescription of that kind in the country in which the prescription is issued.

As they are dispensed as private, or non-National Health Service, prescriptions, we do not have any data for the number of EEA/Swiss prescriptions that have been dispensed in the UK.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the recall of certain Boston Scientific CRT-P pacemakers on NHS services; and what steps are being taken to support affected patients and recover associated costs.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 20 May 2024, what information his Department holds on whether the use of haemophilia patients and their families for research has ceased.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Medical research was an important area examined in the inquiry, with it concluding that ‘the value of such research to society is enhanced rather than undermined by undertaking research in an ethical and moral way’.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care.

In January 2026, the NIHR published the attached report, From subject to participant and partner, on its website, summarising the concerns raised in the inquiry report, as well as a summary of the research governance changes since and a synthesis of an in-person workshop. The NIHR and partners who attended the workshop are committed to upholding the highest standards of research governance to drive better inclusivity in the evidence base for care, working with those who use, manage, or work in health and care services to share learning and drive improvement. The NIHR requires all applicants to demonstrate how their research will address existing inequalities in health and social care as a condition of funding.

The NIHR was created in 2006, many decades after individuals received infected blood in the United Kingdom. The NIHR did not therefore fund any clinical trials or research where individuals received infected blood. The NIHR has strong ethical, safety, and legal governance arrangements, including processes to ensure informed consent for those participating in research, and includes parental and guardian consent for children involved in research.

The NIHR funds a wide range of research relevant to the Infected Blood Inquiry. Work includes making blood donation and transfusion safer by improving transfusion practice, reducing variation in practice and ensuring greater resilience and efficiency throughout the blood supply chain.

This includes research on improving the safety of blood transfusions and blood products, and research to improve better detection and treatments for blood borne infections, including through opt out testing in accident and emergency departments for HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework for Research Ethics Committees (RECs), including the Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees, in providing adequate guidance for RECs considering research proposals pertaining to gender and sex.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific assessment has been made by the Department. The Health Research Authority (HRA) and the devolved administrations provide a Research Ethics Service so that research proposals relating to their areas of responsibility can be reviewed by a Research Ethics Committee (REC) for all kinds of health and social care research proposals within the scope of the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care research, including those pertaining to gender and sex.

A REC is a group of people appointed to review research proposals to assess formally if the research is ethical. This means the research must conform to recognised ethical standards. RECs protect the rights, safety, dignity and wellbeing of research participants and the Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees, a United Kingdom wide policy, describes what is expected from RECs when reviewing research proposals.

Each REC is required to adopt the UK Standard Operating Procedures approved by, or on behalf of, its appointing authority, and each REC is audited against these standards on a rolling basis. RECs reviewing Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products must be accredited by the UK Ethics Committee Authority before they can review applications to ensure committees comply with legislation and uphold standards.

The HRA has a duty to provide an efficient and robust research ethics review service to protect participants.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer on 20 November 2025 to question 90583 on medical treatments, (a) what progress has been made on the establishment of the MHRA Early Access Service and (b) when they expect to formally launch the service.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In July 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published a statement of policy intent for the development and implementation of an Early Access Service for innovative medical devices. The statement of policy is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-policy-intent-early-access-to-innovative-medical-devices/statement-of-policy-intent-early-access-to-innovative-medical-devices#next-steps

The service aims to speed up safe access to innovative medical devices for patients, supporting the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan. Implementing the Early Access Service will require new systems and processes to be established. The MHRA is currently investing in internal capability and working closely with stakeholders to support the establishment and implementation of the service. Further information on this work, including details of the products that will initially be in scope, will be provided later this year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to prioritise the assessment of breakthrough implantable devices in the MHRA Early Access Service.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In July 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published a statement of policy intent for the development and implementation of an Early Access Service for innovative medical devices. The statement of policy is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-policy-intent-early-access-to-innovative-medical-devices/statement-of-policy-intent-early-access-to-innovative-medical-devices#next-steps

The service aims to speed up safe access to innovative medical devices for patients, supporting the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan. Implementing the Early Access Service will require new systems and processes to be established. The MHRA is currently investing in internal capability and working closely with stakeholders to support the establishment and implementation of the service. Further information on this work, including details of the products that will initially be in scope, will be provided later this year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the press release entitled Funding boost for young people’s mental health services, published on 13 February 2026, how many additional appointments in (a) Essex and (b) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency this increased funding will result in.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recently confirmed a £7 million funding boost for 24 early support hubs across England so they can continue to provide open-access, drop-in mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 11 to 25 years old. These hubs offer open access, early intervention support for a wide range of issues, helping to prevent escalation to more severe mental illness without the need for a referral or a doctor’s appointment. This additional investment is expected to deliver approximately 10,000 extra interventions in the community for young people facing mental health challenges.

While none of the 24 Government‑funded Early Support Hubs are located in Essex or in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, there are approximately 65 Early Support Hubs operating across England through local funding. Because hubs are delivered by voluntary, community or social enterprise sector collaborations and are designed around local service footprints, they do not map neatly onto constituency boundaries.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard; and what evidence it submitted, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department was invited by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to provide evidence. The Department has not responded, deferring to NHS England, who are leading work on the Unified Information Standard for Protected Characteristics (UIPSC). The UISPC programme is a wide-ranging review of how the National Health Service records data in relation to protected characteristics, workforce/employment, and patient datasets and associated surveys.

NHS England has been fully engaged with the work on the ethnicity harmonised standard throughout the development of the UISPC. The ONS sit on the UISPC Publication Steering Group, which was established to bring together key representatives from NHS system partners and cross Government agencies.

NHS England reviewed the consultations from the ONS on the 2031 Census and the Government Statistical Service on the harmonised standard on ethnicity. It has been agreed that once the UISPC report recommendations are made to the Department, ministers will review and consider next steps, including how best to consult more widely.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the press release entitled Funding boost for young people’s mental health services, published on 13 February 2026, how much of the increased funding for early support hubs will be allocated to (a) Essex and (b) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recently confirmed a £7 million funding boost for 24 early support hubs across England so they can continue to provide open-access, drop-in mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 11 to 25 years old. These hubs offer open access, early intervention support for a wide range of issues, helping to prevent escalation to more severe mental illness without the need for a referral or a doctor’s appointment. This additional investment is expected to deliver approximately 10,000 extra interventions in the community for young people facing mental health challenges.

While none of the 24 Government‑funded Early Support Hubs are located in Essex or in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, there are approximately 65 Early Support Hubs operating across England through local funding. Because hubs are delivered by voluntary, community or social enterprise sector collaborations and are designed around local service footprints, they do not map neatly onto constituency boundaries.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to reinstate funding to the Support After Suicide Partnership.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise the importance of suicide bereavement services and acknowledge the difficult financial position for many voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations.

Commissioning responsibility for local suicide bereavement services sits with integrated care boards and it is for them to commission appropriate services for their local population while considering their overall financial position.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when NHS England’s investigation into guidance and training materials relating to marriage between close relatives began; which guidance, training modules and programmes are within scope of that investigation; and when he expects its findings to be concluded and published.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The internal review in response to recent concerns that National Health Service guidance stated the benefits of close relative marriage began on 19 January 2026. All public documents which constitute training modules, or guidance regarding marriage between close relatives is in scope. The findings will be concluded shortly.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions the Department has had with social media companies regarding the potential impact of their platforms on child mental health.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has not undertaken any recent engagement with social media companies regarding the potential impact of their platforms on child mental health.

However, the Government is taking forward wider work to understand and address risks to children in the online world. A national consultation has recently been launched to seek views on measures to improve children’s online safety across social media, gaming platforms, and artificial intelligence chatbots. We will work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on this consultation, including in relation to understanding the potential impact of social media use on children’s mental health. This forms part of the Government’s broader programme to create a safer digital environment for children and to reduce potential harms linked to these services.

Insights from this consultation will help inform future policy to better protect children’s mental health and ensure that digital platforms play their part in promoting safe and healthy online experiences.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of mental health patients per caseworker across the country.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information is not held in the format requested.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support research on vaccinations against recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds, supports, and carries out high-quality research to improve health outcomes and care services. Over the last five financial years, the Department has provided over £22 million in programme research funding for urinary tract infection (UTI) research, including research on improved treatment for recurrent and chronic UTIs. In addition, NIHR infrastructure is supporting Phase 3 trials on vaccines against Escherichia coli infection in older adults who have a history of UTI, delivered by the NIHR Bristol Clinical Research Facility and the NIHR Wellcome Trust Manchester Clinical Research Facility.

The NIHR also funds the James Lind Alliance, which has run a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) focused on chronic and recurrent UTIs. This PSP, funded by AMR Action UK and delivered in partnership with Bladder Health UK and The Urology Foundation, has identified the top 10 research priorities in this area. A rolling funding opportunity is available for research projects that align with priorities aligning with PSPs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients have been affected by the recall of certain Boston Scientific CRT-P pacemakers (a) nationally and (b) within Somerset; what assessment has been made of the potential impact of this on NHS resources; and who is responsible for covering the costs of device replacement and associated care.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much was paid out to NHS pension scheme members in (1) 2023, and (2) 2024.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The following table shows the value of pension benefits paid to NHS Pension Scheme members in financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25:

These figures comprise the value of annual pensions and lump sums paid. It does not include other payments made by the scheme such as contribution refunds or pension tax payments to HM Revenue and Customs.

Annual accounts for the scheme are published for each financial year and record the total value of all payments made. The annual accounts are available on the GOV.UK website and on the NHS Business Service Authority’s website.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the workforce pipeline for small and vulnerable allied health professions from the risk of university programme closures or reductions.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Education to support the availability of a diverse range of training routes into health and care careers. While the Government is committed to ensuring sustainable training pathways for small and vulnerable healthcare professions, higher education institutions are independent providers and are responsible for making their own decisions about course delivery and viability.

NHS England has a focussed programme for small and vulnerable professions, including Allied Health Professions. This programme helps maintain and strengthen training and education pathways for pre‑registration learners, including apprenticeship routes, to support a national strategic approach to placement capacity and to build awareness of healthcare careers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what oversight they exercise over the commissioning of prosthetic and orthotic services to ensure that they are appropriately funded and that investment is linked to measurable patient outcomes.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Prosthetics is a specialised service, with commissioning transferring to integrated care boards on 1 April 2025, ensuring service providers must adhere to the national service specification and national clinical commissioning policies. Orthotic services are locally commissioned by integrated care boards or National Health Service trusts. It is the responsibility of local employers to ensure they have the right people with the right skills to meet local population needs. The Department remains committed to working with stakeholders, including the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics, to support service improvements and meet patient demand.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) number and (2) scale of deficits currently being reported by integrated care boards.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England publishes regular updates on the financial performance of all National Health Service organisations in both their quarterly Oversight Framework segmentation league tables and their monthly board papers.

At month nine (M9), the end of December 2025, there are year to date overspends across NHS systems totalling £445 million, reflecting the impact of held back deficit support funding. Six systems account for more than half of this overspend, while 17 systems were delivering in line with their financial plans at that point in the year.

Further details can be found in the M9 Financial Position 2025/26 update to the February NHS England board on the NHS England website.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the percentage of abortions in which women (1) deliberately, and (2) accidentally, misreport the date of their last menstrual period; and how they have incorporated that estimate into the implementation of allowing the prescription of abortion pills by telemedicine.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department collects information on abortions via the HSA4 abortion notification form, which does not hold this information.

The prescription of mifepristone and misoprostol for abortions is controlled by the Abortion Act 1967 and Human Medicines Regulations 2012. During the consultation, women are informed that their abortion medication has been prescribed for their use only and that it cannot be given to anyone else. In line with the Department’s required standard operating procedures for the approval of independent sector places for termination of pregnancy in England, all providers must ensure women are given information about how to dispose of, or return, the abortion pills if they are not used.

Before an early medical abortion can be undertaken at home, women are given the choice to have either an in-person consultation or a virtual consultation. However, if there is any uncertainty about the gestation of the pregnancy, the medical practitioner would ask the woman to attend an in-person appointment to enable them to form an opinion that the pregnancy will not have exceeded ten weeks at the time the first abortion pill is taken.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what preparations they have made to ensure there is a sufficient workforce of prosthetists and orthotists to meet the anticipated demand for prosthetic and orthotic rehabilitation in the event of a conflict situation.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care, the National Health Service, and the Ministry of Defence continue to ensure health services, including prosthetic and orthotic services, can respond effectively to meet the demands of conflict situations through regularly reviewing system-wide capacity.

The Department of Health and Social Care’s commitment to longer term workforce planning through the 10 Year Workforce Plan will also ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities report on complications from abortions in England 2017 to 2021, published on 23 November 2023, whether they have conducted further research on the impact of using data from Hospital Episode Statistics on reported abortion complication rates; and how this compares with using figures from the Abortion Notification System.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has not undertaken any further research or analysis on the impact of using data from Hospital Episode Statistics compared with the Abortion Notification System since the report into the comparison of complication rates using these data sources was published in 2023.

The Department has not committed to updating or repeating this analysis and the publication will remain as a one‑off report until further notice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what strategic workforce planning is in place to ensure that prosthetic and orthotic services are resilient to both national security demands and systemic pressures on the healthcare workforce.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care, the National Health Service, and the Ministry of Defence continue to ensure health services, including prosthetic and orthotic services, can respond effectively to meet the demands of conflict situations through regularly reviewing system-wide capacity.

The Department of Health and Social Care’s commitment to longer term workforce planning through the 10 Year Workforce Plan will also ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 16 February (HL14539), whether they will ensure that any new water regulations include a clear requirement for water companies to support, maintain and, where appropriate, expand fluoridation schemes in their areas.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The maintenance and expansion of water fluoridation schemes are set out in the Water Industry Act 1991 and associated regulations. These provide the requirements that apply to water companies where my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, proposes to enter, vary, or terminate arrangements for fluoridation of water.

There are no current plans to change these requirements through new regulations. However, the White Paper A New Vision for Water published in January 2026 confirms that, as long term reforms to the water industry are delivered, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will work in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care to support delivery of 10-Year Health Plan, which includes assessing further expansion of water fluoridation where oral health outcomes are poorest.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk that university programme closures or reductions could pose to the future supply of prosthetists and orthotists; and what contingency plans are in place to sustain education and training provision for these professions.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As a small and vulnerable profession, course closures or reductions pose a considerable risk to the future supply of prosthetists and orthotists.

The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Education to support the availability of a diverse range of training routes into health and care careers. While the Government is committed to ensuring sustainable training pathways for the future supply of prosthetics and orthotists, higher education institutions are independent providers and are responsible for making their own decisions about course delivery and viability.

NHS England has a focussed programme for small and vulnerable professions, including prosthetics and orthotics, and has recently commissioned the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists to help maintain and strengthen training and education pathways for pre‑registration learners.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the minimum age for access to adult gender clinics.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 18 December, NHS England published the Review into the operation and delivery of NHS Adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics, which was chaired by Dr David Levy. The review provides a strong basis for action to improve adult gender services.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement published alongside the Review, NHS England and the Department are taking forward a set of immediate priorities. This includes raising the referral threshold to 18 years old, aligning it with the age of discharge from the NHS Children and Young People’s Service.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish a comprehensive list of NHS-commissioned placenta accreta spectrum specialist centres that have been established since 2020, including the (1) location, and (2) referral pathways, of each centre.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England regional teams, in conjunction with their local integrated care boards as the responsible commissioners, are leading on commissioning specialised placenta accreta spectrum centres within their geographies. The treating clinician, in consultation with the patient, will advise on referral routes for patients under their care.

Areas with NHS-commissioned placenta accreta spectrum specialist centres:

London:

• North East London: Barts Health NHS Trust; and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (two site, one service model).
• North West London: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (two site, one service model).
• South West London: St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
• South East London: King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (two site, one service model).
• North Central London: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

East of England:

• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; and
• Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

North East Yorkshire and Humber:

• Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; and
• the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

South West:

• University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust; and
• University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

East Midlands:

• University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust; and
• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

West Midlands:

• Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust;
• University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust;
• University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust; and
• the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons why annual referrals to adult gender clinics have doubled since 2022–23; and whether they have made an assessment of the impact of social media and educational settings on referral patterns of young people.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The review into the operation and delivery of NHS Adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics (GDCs), led by Dr Levy, was published on 18 December 2025 and undertook a comprehensive examination of all nine National Health Service-commissioned adult GDCs in England. The review specifically considered issues of access to clinics, reviewing both the volume of referrals and the length of waiting times for initial assessment and treatment. Dr Levy identified that waiting times for first appointments remain lengthy, with a significant increase in the number of people awaiting assessment, as annual referrals have doubled since 2022/23. The review attributed these extended waits to several factors, including improved reporting as more clinics have joined the national system, as well as a backlog from referrals deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The review also set out that surgery waiting times also contribute to the problem, as some masculinising procedures have waits of approximately eight to nine years. As a result, many patients require extra GDC appointments because the current service specification mandates follow-up reviews every six months for those waiting for surgery.

NHS England has established a National Portfolio Board, in line with Dr Levy’s recommendation, to build and develop a full implementation plan. This will address each of the review’s recommendations in turn and be aligned with the ambitions of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England.

Baroness Cass’s Independent Cass Review of Gender Identity Services for children and young people published in 2024 and observed social factors, including social media and links with children and young people experiencing gender dysphoria.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what research they have commissioned, if any, to assess whether peer-group clustering occurs in gender clinics, in particular among adolescent girls; and what clinical protocols are in place to assess the influence of social factors in referrals to gender services.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The new, regional children and young people (CYP) services provide holistic care, centred on psychosocial support. This will include thorough mental health support that takes account of the child and young person's individual circumstances, including social factors.

More widely, the Independent Cass Review published in 2024, of which the new National Health Service CYP Gender Services are based, sets out the role social factors, including the role of social media and family mental health problems have in CYP experiencing gender dysphoria.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the difference between the number of abortion pills prescribed via telemedicine and the number actually taken; and what assessment they have made of the extent to which abortion pills prescribed via telemedicine are being stockpiled by women.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department collects information on abortions via the HSA4 abortion notification form, which does not hold this information.

The prescription of mifepristone and misoprostol for abortions is controlled by the Abortion Act 1967 and Human Medicines Regulations 2012. During the consultation, women are informed that their abortion medication has been prescribed for their use only and that it cannot be given to anyone else. In line with the Department’s required standard operating procedures for the approval of independent sector places for termination of pregnancy in England, all providers must ensure women are given information about how to dispose of, or return, the abortion pills if they are not used.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that NHS adult gender clinics maintain comprehensive patient data and outcomes records.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 18 December 2025, NHS England published the Review into the operation and delivery of NHS Adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics, which was chaired by Dr David Levy. This review provides a strong basis for action to improve adult gender services.

Recommendation 13 of the review states that NHS England should work with adult gender dysphoria clinics (GDCs) to establish a national minimum dataset so medium and long-term patient outcomes can be understood following treatment by the adult GDCs, and to develop a national research strategy for adult gender dysphoria services.

NHS England, in full partnership with the Department, will now take forward the implementation of the review’s recommendations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to NHS adult gender clinics about the assessment and management of patients with mental health comorbidities; and what proportion of patients prescribed cross-sex hormones have comorbidities.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The approach for assessment, diagnosis, and care planning, including patients with other presentations, are described in NHS England's published service specification for National Health Service adult gender clinics, which was adopted in April 2020 following a comprehensive public consultation, respondents to which included medical bodies, professional associations, and regulatory bodies. There is currently no specific data field that records the number of patients who are prescribed cross-sex hormones and who have comorbidities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the estimated number of miscarriages, (2) the estimated number of stillbirths, (3) the number of police investigations relating to miscarriages, and (4) the number of police investigations relating to stillbirths, for each of the last 10 years for which data are available.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Research estimates that 15.3% of recognised pregnancies end in miscarriage, a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks completed gestation, which is the equivalent to approximately 100,000 miscarriages in England each year. However, due to lack of data on the earliest losses, the true figure could be higher.

Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK) perinatal mortality surveillance reports the number of stillbirths, babies delivered at or after 24 completed weeks’ gestational age showing no signs of life, irrespective of when the death occurred, and excluding terminations of pregnancy. The following table shows stillbirth numbers in England from 2014 to 2023 inclusive:

The Home Office does not collect information centrally on police investigations into miscarriages or stillbirths. However, the Home Office does collect and publish figures on the number of criminal offences of ‘procuring illegal abortion’ and ‘intentional destruction of a viable unborn child’ recorded by police in England and Wales. However, it is neither possible to identify what prompted an investigation that led to a crime being recorded, nor the number of investigations that resulted in a decision not to record a crime.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards implementing the recommendations of the Levy Review into adult gender services; and when they plan to publish a full implementation report.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The review into the operation and delivery of NHS Adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics (GDCs), led by Dr Levy, was published on 18 December 2025 and forms the basis for improving adult gender services.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, laid a Written Ministerial Statement following the review’s publication. This set out that in response to the findings of this review, the Department and NHS England are taking forward a set of immediate priorities that includes:

- creating a new single, national waiting list for adult gender services to be implemented in April 2026;

- raising the referral threshold to 18 years old to align with the age of discharge from the NHS Children and Young People’s Service;

- bringing an end to self-referrals into the service and, in parallel, providing advice and guidance for those finding it difficult to secure a referral; and

- establishing challenging but achievable productivity goals for every service which can then guide and inform the commissioning of additional services, underpinned by a clear understanding of the regional demand through the national waiting list.

In addition to this, NHS England has established a National Portfolio Board, in line with Dr Levy’s recommendation, to build and develop a full implementation plan for the Adult Gender Services review.

We are making progress beyond this review, as NHS England has increased the number of adult GDCs in England from seven to 12 since 2020, and has established a national Quality Improvement Network for Adult Gender Services. In order to support the well-being of patients awaiting their first appointment with a GDC, we are rolling out a ‘waiting well’ pilot for patients on the waiting list for the GDC in the South West.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of medical (a) gender inequality and (b) misogyny on the (i) diagnostics and (ii) treatment of urinary tract infections.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has not made a specific assessment. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines, such as those for the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections, are subject to equality impact assessments as part of NICE’s governance processes, which mean that protected characteristics, including sex, are considered as part of the guideline's development.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of US-UK trade agreements on (a) drug prices and (b) levels of excess deaths in the NHS.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Costs of the United States and United Kingdom pharmaceuticals trade deal will start smaller but will increase over time as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves more medicines. Total costs over the spending review period are expected to be approximately £1 billion. However, the final costs will depend on which medicines NICE decides to approve and the actual uptake.

We have no plans to publish an impact assessment for the deal. Innovative medicines are critical to the future success and sustainability of the National Health Service. It is only by harnessing the power of new technologies that we can transform the lives of patients with currently untreatable conditions. Medicines are more than just a cost, bringing major societal and economic benefits, helping people stay in work, reducing pressure on public services, or giving patients a second chance at life.

The deal will be funded by allocations made at the Spending Review, where record funding for the NHS was secured. Future funding will be settled at the next Spending Review.

Ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are routinely published quarterly on the GOV.UK website in arrears. Officials from the Department have engaged extensively with patient groups, pharmaceutical companies and trade bodies. The Government has committed to working with industry in the coming months on the future of medicines pricing and will also engage patient groups in this process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving access to mental health support for adolescents in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Health is a devolved matter, and responsibility for improving access to mental health services in Northern Ireland, including for adolescents, sits with the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Government works closely with the devolved administrations on shared health challenges, including mental health. Ministers meet regularly with their counterparts through intergovernmental forums such as the Interministerial Group for Health and Social Care.

At the Interministerial Group for Health and Social Care in April 2025, ministers discussed common priorities across the four governments on mental health, including the importance of early support for children and young people delivered in schools and community settings. The Government remains committed to continuing to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the other devolved administrations to share learning and approaches to improving mental health support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the radioisotope supply disruption in late 2024 on patients.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 2024 disruption was caused by the required closures of a number of reactors used to supply the United Kingdom and Europe. In response to this shortage, the Department worked closely with suppliers, the National Health Service, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, the UK Radiopharmacy Group, and the devolved administrations to ensure that the limited available supplies were shared equitably and that patients with the most critical needs were prioritised. A National Patient Safety Alert was issued providing guidance to radiopharmacy units on how to manage affected patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that patients with ADHD have reliable access to prescriptions for essential medication.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has made significant progress in improving the availability of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), working closely with industry and key stakeholders to overcome previous supply challenges. Through intensive collaboration with industry, NHS England and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, supply issues have now been fully resolved. All ADHD medicines, across all formulations and strengths, are readily available for prescribing.

We continue to work closely with ADHD medicine suppliers to address any challenges promptly and to strengthen the resilience of the supply chain. This includes securing additional stock, expediting deliveries, and broadening the United Kingdom’s supplier base to meet future demand. To ensure a robust and sustainable supply, we are partnering with NHS England’s ADHD taskforce to develop growth forecasts and share them with industry, enabling effective planning and continuity of supply.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the introduction of mandatory online booking systems does not mean the withdrawal of other options such as face to face receptions and phone calls.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service organisations must ensure that all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged to not discriminate against patients or staff.

This means that a non-digital solution should be available for those patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally, including those with mental health conditions or language barriers. These non-digital routes must be available for all services provided by NHS organisations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide extra resource to the NHS to offset changes to drug prices under US-UK trade agreements.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Costs of the United States and United Kingdom pharmaceuticals trade deal will start smaller but will increase over time as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves more medicines. Total costs over the spending review period are expected to be approximately £1 billion. However, the final costs will depend on which medicines NICE decides to approve and the actual uptake.

We have no plans to publish an impact assessment for the deal. Innovative medicines are critical to the future success and sustainability of the National Health Service. It is only by harnessing the power of new technologies that we can transform the lives of patients with currently untreatable conditions. Medicines are more than just a cost, bringing major societal and economic benefits, helping people stay in work, reducing pressure on public services, or giving patients a second chance at life.

The deal will be funded by allocations made at the Spending Review, where record funding for the NHS was secured. Future funding will be settled at the next Spending Review.

Ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are routinely published quarterly on the GOV.UK website in arrears. Officials from the Department have engaged extensively with patient groups, pharmaceutical companies and trade bodies. The Government has committed to working with industry in the coming months on the future of medicines pricing and will also engage patient groups in this process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has held with a) Pharmaceutical companies, b) Pharmaceutical industry groups and c) patient groups and charities on the US-UK Pharmaceuticals deal.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Costs of the United States and United Kingdom pharmaceuticals trade deal will start smaller but will increase over time as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves more medicines. Total costs over the spending review period are expected to be approximately £1 billion. However, the final costs will depend on which medicines NICE decides to approve and the actual uptake.

We have no plans to publish an impact assessment for the deal. Innovative medicines are critical to the future success and sustainability of the National Health Service. It is only by harnessing the power of new technologies that we can transform the lives of patients with currently untreatable conditions. Medicines are more than just a cost, bringing major societal and economic benefits, helping people stay in work, reducing pressure on public services, or giving patients a second chance at life.

The deal will be funded by allocations made at the Spending Review, where record funding for the NHS was secured. Future funding will be settled at the next Spending Review.

Ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are routinely published quarterly on the GOV.UK website in arrears. Officials from the Department have engaged extensively with patient groups, pharmaceutical companies and trade bodies. The Government has committed to working with industry in the coming months on the future of medicines pricing and will also engage patient groups in this process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to publish an impact assessment for the US-UK Pharmaceuticals deal.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Costs of the United States and United Kingdom pharmaceuticals trade deal will start smaller but will increase over time as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves more medicines. Total costs over the spending review period are expected to be approximately £1 billion. However, the final costs will depend on which medicines NICE decides to approve and the actual uptake.

We have no plans to publish an impact assessment for the deal. Innovative medicines are critical to the future success and sustainability of the National Health Service. It is only by harnessing the power of new technologies that we can transform the lives of patients with currently untreatable conditions. Medicines are more than just a cost, bringing major societal and economic benefits, helping people stay in work, reducing pressure on public services, or giving patients a second chance at life.

The deal will be funded by allocations made at the Spending Review, where record funding for the NHS was secured. Future funding will be settled at the next Spending Review.

Ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are routinely published quarterly on the GOV.UK website in arrears. Officials from the Department have engaged extensively with patient groups, pharmaceutical companies and trade bodies. The Government has committed to working with industry in the coming months on the future of medicines pricing and will also engage patient groups in this process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase access to clinical psychology services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to high‑quality mental health support, including clinical psychology services. Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we are expanding NHS Talking Therapies so more people can receive effective, evidence‑based treatment for common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. By March 2029, we have committed to providing 915,000 courses of NHS Talking Therapies treatment.

For people with more complex needs, we are transforming adult community mental health services by establishing community‑based mental health centres, which bring together community, crisis, and inpatient care to provide open‑access, local support before people reach crisis.

We are also expanding Individual Placement and Support (IPS), which provides tailored employment support for people with severe mental illness. By March 2029, 73,500 people will be able to access this programme, helping more people to recover and stay well.

To increase capacity across mental health services, we are recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers by the end of this Parliament. Almost 8,000 of these workers have already been recruited, strengthening the workforce that supports clinical psychology and other specialist services.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to encourage people to seek help in the early stages of hearing loss.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service audiology services are locally commissioned, and the responsibility for meeting the needs of non-hearing people lies with local NHS commissioners.

We expect local commissioning to be informed by the best available evidence, relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, and guidance issued by NHS England. In 2015, NHS England published The Action Plan on Hearing Loss which sets out key objectives on hearing loss including, prevention, early diagnosis, maximising independence, and enabling people to take part in every-day activities. In 2018, NICE issued the guidance, Hearing loss in adults: assessment and management, which aims to improve hearing loss services. The NHS also provides information on hearing loss online, at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/

This includes a link to a free online hearing test from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, signposting to services and, for those having hearing loss, things to help communicate with others and to avoid more damage to hearing.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Department has made of the level of experience in the CAMHS workforce and the potential impact of staff turnover on service quality.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England commissions regular workforce censuses of the children and young people’s mental health workforce. The most recent census, covering April 2023 to March 2024, includes information on how long staff have been in post across community and inpatient services, alongside a summary of the skills and training reported by providers. This provides insight into the experience and capability within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) workforce.

The Department has made no assessment of the potential impact of staff turnover on the quality of CAMHS provision.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has issued guidance to integrated care boards on local commissioning in the context of patients’ legal right to choose under the NHS Choice Framework.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to patients having the right to choose their provider when referred to consultant-led treatment, or to a mental health professional, for their first appointment as an outpatient. Patients’ right to choose is set out in legislation and integrated care boards remain responsible for ensuring their own processes comply with the Right to Choose, including clinical appropriateness, eligibility criteria, and qualifying contract requirements. NHS England has issued national Patient Choice Guidance, available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/patient-choice-guidance/

This sets out an overview of the choices available to patients and the rules that underpin those rights. The guidance explains how commissioners can meet their statutory duties in relation to patient choice, supports greater consistency in the application of those rights across the National Health Service, and describes how NHS England manages enquiries and complaints relating to patient choice. NHS England has also published, as part of its Enforcement Guidance, further material explaining how it exercises its enforcement powers in relation to patient choice. Further information on the choices available for patients can be found on the NHS Choice framework, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of walk-in mental health support.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has already taken significant steps to stabilise and improve National Health Service mental health services but there is much more to do. Transforming the system will take time, but we are committed to delivering a new approach to mental health.

Six community based Mental Health Centres are now operating across England, in Birmingham, York, Copeland, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, and Sheffield, providing open access to treatment and support for adults with severe mental health needs. The centres intend to improve continuity of care, drive down waits, and reduce inpatient admissions.

We are also making £473 million of capital funding available over the next four years, which we encourage systems to invest in new care models such as Mental Health Centres and also new Mental Health Emergency Departments, reducing pressure on busy accident and emergency services and ensuring people have the right support they need in calm and compassionate environments.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish the review of clinical negligence costs by David Lock KC.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last ten years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising legal costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. That work is ongoing, following initial advice to ministers and the recent National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports.

The results of David Lock’s work will inform future policy making in this area. No decisions on policy have been taken at this point, and the Government will provide an update on the work done and next steps in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of CAMHS clinicians have received training in PTSD therapies, and what steps the Department is taking to improve training coverage.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Information on the proportion of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinicians who have received training in therapies for post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not collected centrally. Providers, such as National Health Service trusts and other organisations delivering CAMHS, remain responsible for ensuring that their clinicians have the appropriate skills and training to meet the needs of children and young people, including where PTSD therapies are required.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department intends to respond to the coroner's Prevention of Future Death report following the death of John Johnson.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We can confirm that a response to the coroner’s Prevention of Future Death report was issued on 6 March 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 22 of, SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First (CP1509), how will Integrated Care Boards be held more accountable for providing support to children and young people with complex needs.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Schools White Paper and consultation document on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms set out proposals on strengthening roles and responsibilities. We are working closely with the Department for Education, and with local area partnerships, for instance integrated care boards and local authorities, to explore further opportunities to strengthen accountability for families and children and young people with SEND.

These reforms are intended to build a system with clearer roles and responsibilities for all partners, and more collective responsibility for the outcomes of children and young people with SEND in a local area. As part of this, we will update the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Area SEND Inspection framework, so that it aligns with the clarified statutory roles of local authorities and integrated care boards. There will be a full consultation on the proposed changes to the framework. Ofsted and the CQC will continue to inspect the role of education, health and social care partners responsible for the planning, commissioning, and delivery of arrangements for children and young people with SEND in the local area, setting clear standards and holding them accountable. In addition, the Children’s Commissioner for England will take on a new role to monitor the progress and effectiveness of SEND reforms for all children with SEND, focusing on the most vulnerable groups.

For the first time, the NHS Medium Term Planning Framework included a clear expectation that integrated care boards and providers fulfil their statutory SEND duties and support the Government’s SEND reform plans. Within their local area partnerships, ICBs are being asked to contribute to Local SEND Reform Plans. This will set out how they will move towards stronger inclusive practices and early intervention, including for children and young people with complex needs. These plans will also be used to assess ongoing performance and delivery of the reforms.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the accessibility and clarity of NHS information for patients navigating care pathways across primary and secondary care.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A revised Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was published on 1 July 2025 and can be found at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/

The revised standard requires those staff in relevant communication and information roles to be adequately trained. The AIS conformance criteria, published in 2016 and updated in June 2025, set out how organisations should comply with the AIS.

NHS England is working to support implementation of the AIS to ensure that staff and organisations in the National Health Service are aware of the AIS and the importance of meeting the information and communication needs of disabled people using services.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to develop a new National Autism Strategy.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government will develop a new autism strategy. I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Manchester Rusholme on 26 February 2026 to Question 114228.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his department has made of the current accessibility of Motor Neurone Disease treatments with reference to new breakthrough drugs like Tofersen.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises how important it is that patients with motor neurone disease (MND) are able to benefit from access to new clinically and cost-effective treatments. There are currently no new treatments routinely available to National Health Service patients for MND. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently evaluating tofersen, a new licensed treatment for SOD-1 MND, and the company is expected to make an evidence submission to support the appraisal in early June 2026.

Relatedly, the Government is investing significantly in MND research, for example via the £8 million EXPERTS ALS trial, with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, being an alternative name for MND, which screens for drugs that have the potential to be successful in clinical trials for people with MND.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of variation between NHS trusts in the a) operation and b) resourcing of Patient Advice and Liaison Services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment has been made of the operation and level of resourcing of Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) across National Health Service trusts. PALS is a free, confidential and independent service providing advice and support to resolve issues affecting NHS patients informally and, in some areas, formally through the NHS complaints process. It is for NHS trusts to determine the provision of PALS within their hospitals.

The 10-Year Health Plan committed the Department and NHS England to improving the handling of patient complaints, including to update of complaint regulations. It is intended that this will also consider related matters, such as the introduction of new forms of feedback and the role of PALS. This will be within the portfolio of the new National Director for Patient Experience, for which recruitment will soon be underway.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, b) Staffordshire and c) England with Huntington's disease are able to access hyoscine hydrobromide.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are aware that hyoscine hydrobromide 1.5 milligram patches are currently out of stock and we are in dialogue with the manufacturer. We do not hold information on stock availability locally, however, this product is currently unavailable across the United Kingdom.

The resupply date has yet to be confirmed by the supplier, however, to minimise the impact on patients, we have issued comprehensive management guidance to the National Health Service, including all general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists, on alternative products, including unlicensed hyoscine hydrobromide. The decision on whether to prescribe an unlicensed medicine rests with the prescriber.

Patients/patient representatives should speak to their GP or specialist on the most appropriate treatment option, taking into account the licensed and unlicensed alternatives available.

We continue to work with the supplier and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, as appropriate, to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

The vast majority of the UK’s licensed medicines are in good supply and to make sure this remains the case, we are investing more in the domestic medicine manufacturing industry.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support research into alopecia.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care including alopecia. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

The NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. There are currently several studies supported by Be Part of Research focusing on alopecia, with further information available at the following link:

https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to introduce national service standards for Patient Advice and Liaison Services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment has been made of the operation and level of resourcing of Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) across National Health Service trusts. PALS is a free, confidential and independent service providing advice and support to resolve issues affecting NHS patients informally and, in some areas, formally through the NHS complaints process. It is for NHS trusts to determine the provision of PALS within their hospitals.

The 10-Year Health Plan committed the Department and NHS England to improving the handling of patient complaints, including to update of complaint regulations. It is intended that this will also consider related matters, such as the introduction of new forms of feedback and the role of PALS. This will be within the portfolio of the new National Director for Patient Experience, for which recruitment will soon be underway.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to introduce a definition for chronic urinary tract infections.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence‑based guidance for the National Health Service on best practice in the care and treatment of patients with specific conditions.

NICE does not ordinarily define specific clinical conditions. NICE has no current plans to develop guidance on chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) at this time, and the topic has not been considered by its prioritisation board. However, NICE has produced a clinical guideline on antimicrobial prescribing for recurrent UTIs which provides recommendations on treatments and self-care for the prevention of recurrent UTIs. This guideline is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng112

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department taking to help ensure that patients who cannot access digital services are still able to obtain timely updates on referrals and care pathways.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged to not discriminate against patients or staff.

This means that although we promote digital first services to those who choose to use them, a non-digital solution should be available for patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally to ensure continued, equitable access to care.

These non-digital routes must be available for all services provided by NHS organisations.

NHS England’s guidance makes clear that services must continue to provide updates through non‑digital routes, including phone, letters, and face‑to‑face contact. The Accessible Information Standard also requires NHS bodies to give information in formats that meet individual needs. These arrangements ensure patients who cannot use digital tools still receive timely updates about their referrals and care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help support research into hearing loss treatment.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department delivers research into hearing loss via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

This includes, for example, £2.4 million of NIHR funding for a study that will compare giving adults with severe hearing loss implants in both ears versus just one ear to inform future guidance.

As well as funding research itself, the Department invests significantly in centres of excellence and collaborations, services, and facilities to enable development and delivery of research in England. This includes the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs), which drive innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ill-health through early phase translational research. Several of the NIHR BRCs have hearing health themes, supporting a broad range of research into hearing loss treatment, including drug discovery, gene and cell therapies, and regenerative approaches targeting inner ear damage.

The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including hearing loss.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of the health budget is allocated to mental health services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

For the 2025/26 financial year, total mental health spend is forecast to be £15.6 billion, the equivalent to 8.71% of the recurrent National Health Service baseline of £179.4 billion. However, there are important elements of mental health spend not included in these figures. This includes capital spending, where we committed £75 million of investment in 2025/26 to reduce out-of-area placements, prescribing mental health medication, continuing healthcare, and NHS England’s investment in training the mental health workforce. This was set out in the Written Statement HCWS562 of 27 March 2025, by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Funding is central to delivering the ambitious goals set out in the Medium-Term Planning Framework for integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers over the next three years to drive improvements across mental health services. These include 100% coverage of Mental Health Support Teams by 2029, expanding NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement Support, and reducing the number of inappropriate out-of-area placements by the end of March 2027. To support this, the Government is requiring all integrated care boards to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard over the next three years, which sets a minimum rate of growth in annual spend on mental health services.

As required under Section 3 of the Health and Care Act 2022, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, will lay a Written Ministerial Statement before Parliament setting out the expected mental health spend for 2026/27, including the total forecast spend and the proportion of the NHS recurrent baseline allocated to mental health services. This will be before the start of the next financial year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ask the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to respond to the coroner's Prevention of Future Death report following the death of Luke Chatterton.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Coroner's Prevention of Future Death report following the death of Luke Chatterton was first brought to the attention of The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 5 February 2026. The MHRA issued a response to the coroner on 2 March 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure patients with brain tumours treated at NHS trusts that are not members of the National Institute for Health and Care Research's Brain Tumour Research Consortium are able to access equivalent a) tumour tissue freezing, b) whole genome sequencing and c) clinical trial stratification pathways.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with brain tumours, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments. The NIHR funds research and research infrastructure across England which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including brain cancer trials. The NIHR also provides an online service called Be Part of Research which promotes participation in health and care research, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest.

In addition, the Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act 2026. The act will make it easier for clinical trials on brain tumours to take place in England, by ensuring the patient population can be more easily contacted by researchers.

The NIHR’s investments for capital equipment, technology, and modular buildings support National Health Service trusts across England to deliver high-quality research to improve the health of the population. These investments include cutting edge research equipment and fixed assets such as ultra-low and cryogenic freezers, to strengthen research capacity and improve access to samples for research.

Genomic testing in the NHS in England is delivered through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) via seven regional Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). All seven GLHs deliver testing based on the National Genomic Test Directory, which outlines eligibility criteria for genomic testing. The Test Directory includes over 200 cancer indications for a range of genomic tests, including whole genome sequencing for neurological tumours, for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. Seven NHS GMS Alliances also work to embed genomics into clinical pathways, raise awareness among clinicians and the public, and ensure equitable access to whole genome sequencing across all regions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to help ensure that low-dose dispersible aspirin is (a) readily available and (b) affordable for those with heart conditions.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Low-dose dispersible aspirin is normally widely available at a relatively low price, without a prescription, from pharmacies. For example, a packet of 100 75milligram tablets can be purchased for approximately £2.10. Where aspirin is prescribed, there are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure prescriptions are affordable for everyone, including for those with heart conditions. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with chronic illnesses may be eligible.

The Department is aware that a recent disruption in the supply of aspirin tablets occurred due to manufacturing problems and knock-on increased demand. These issues have now been addressed, and we are collaborating with suppliers to restore normal supply as soon as possible. Pharmacies are regularly able to order new stock as it becomes available.

We continue to work with manufacturers and United Kingdom distributors to maximise supply to pharmacies and hospitals across the country. The Department is closely monitoring the situation and expects supplies to return to normal in the coming weeks.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what action his Department is taking to ensure (a) GPs and (b) GP nursing staff receive training on endometriosis.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

General practitioners (GPs) and nurses are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge, including on endometriosis and women’s health issues in general, remains up to date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development, within their scope of practice.

All United Kingdom registered doctors are expected to meet the professional standards set out in the General Medical Council’s (GMC’s) Good Medical Practice. The training curriculum for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and has to meet the standards set by the GMC.

The GMC has introduced the Medical Licensing Assessment to encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the UK. The content map for this assessment includes several topics relating to women’s health including menstrual problems, endometriosis, menopause, and urinary incontinence. This will encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the UK. Endometriosis is also included in the core curriculum for trainee GPs, and for obstetricians and gynaecologists. The British Medical Journal and RCGP offer online courses on endometriosis designed for healthcare professionals, including practice nurses.

In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated their guideline on endometriosis which makes firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with suspected diagnosis, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG73

GPs and primary care networks have access to a regional Primary Care Training Hub, which brings together education and training resources from National Health Service organisations, community providers, as well as local authorities. Training hubs are usually run by a clinical leader and a manager supported by a network of primary care staff with education and training professionals based in the community. They work closely with primary care networks and integrated care systems to support workforce priorities and tackle health inequalities to help meet patient and population demand. Training hubs support all clinical staff, including nurses, to maintain their continuing professional development when new guidance, such as that from NICE, becomes available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any integrated care boards make exceptional funding requests for liothyronine; and whether the exceptional funding request process is intended to be used for rationed treatments, such as liothyronine.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The inclusion of liothyronine in the guidance will be reviewed only if there is a significant change in the evidence, including National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the assessment and management of thyroid disease, which currently aligns with the policy guidance recommendations.

No assessment of integrated care boards’ adherence to guidance has been made. Regions cascaded the ‘items that should not be prescribed in primary care’ policy guidance to systems who are responsible for ensuring prescribing is in line with the available guidance.

The Department and NHS England do not collect or hold this data, as integrated care boards make exceptional funding requests for liothyronine, and therefore the information would be held by individual integrated care boards.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to remove liothyronine from the guidance Items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care, updated on 19 August 2025.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The inclusion of liothyronine in the guidance will be reviewed only if there is a significant change in the evidence, including National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the assessment and management of thyroid disease, which currently aligns with the policy guidance recommendations.

No assessment of integrated care boards’ adherence to guidance has been made. Regions cascaded the ‘items that should not be prescribed in primary care’ policy guidance to systems who are responsible for ensuring prescribing is in line with the available guidance.

The Department and NHS England do not collect or hold this data, as integrated care boards make exceptional funding requests for liothyronine, and therefore the information would be held by individual integrated care boards.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether all integrated care boards adhere to NHS England's national guidance on liothyronine.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The inclusion of liothyronine in the guidance will be reviewed only if there is a significant change in the evidence, including National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the assessment and management of thyroid disease, which currently aligns with the policy guidance recommendations.

No assessment of integrated care boards’ adherence to guidance has been made. Regions cascaded the ‘items that should not be prescribed in primary care’ policy guidance to systems who are responsible for ensuring prescribing is in line with the available guidance.

The Department and NHS England do not collect or hold this data, as integrated care boards make exceptional funding requests for liothyronine, and therefore the information would be held by individual integrated care boards.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what spending is allocated across all departments to supporting individuals who are defined by themselves or others as neurodiverse.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

This specific data is not held centrally. The 2025 Spending Review prioritised health, with record investment in the health and social care system. The Spending Review announced that annual National Health Service day-to-day spending will increase by £29 billion in real terms, a £53 billion cash increase, by 2028/29 compared to 2023/24. This will take the NHS resource budget to £226 billion by 2028/29, the equivalent to a 3% average annual real terms growth rate over the Spending Review period.

However, the Government has been clear that this investment must come with reform. We will completely reorient the NHS’s operating model, so it is focussed on the most important things, better outcomes for patients.

NHS England is responsible for determining allocations of financial resources to integrated care boards (ICBs). Funding for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments are included within NHS England’s financial allocations to ICBs. The process of setting allocations is informed by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation, an independent committee that provides advice to NHS England on setting the target formula which impacts how allocations are distributed over time. ICB allocations for 2026/27 to 2028/29 were published on 17 November 2025 and are available on the NHS England website.

Through the Medium-term planning framework, published 24 October, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for autism and ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.

On Monday 23 February, the Government published the Schools White Paper, Every child achieving and thriving, and a consultation document on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms, with both documents being available on the GOV.UK website. SEND reforms begin with significant upfront investment, joint planning, and a lead in period to build system capacity ahead of legislation. As part of these reforms, £4 billion is being invested over the next three years to make schools more inclusive, including £1.8 billion over three years for the new Experts at Hand offer which will bring health and education professionals into schools to upskill education staff and enable earlier intervention.

The Experts at Hand offer builds on the emerging evidence from programmes such as Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools, which show the benefits of embedding health and other specialist professionals in mainstream settings to support settings to be more inclusive and to de-escalate need.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are in place to ensure the process by which doctors declare neurodivergence or learning disabilities is robust and cannot be subject to abuse.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service trusts hold information on the Electronic Staff Record system, the human resource system for the NHS, on an employee’s protected characteristics, including disabilities. Individuals and organisations have a responsibility to ensure entries are accurate and organisations are encouraged to monitor trends in their data to better ensure the health and well-being of their employees.

Any allegations of dishonesty would be considered to be a conduct issue and investigated in accordance with the employer's disciplinary policy and procedures.

Local employers across the NHS have arrangements in place to support staff with disabilities, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and a focus on healthy working environments.

Employers have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to consider and make reasonable adjustments for employees who have a disability, taking advice from their local occupational health and human resources department. This includes removing or reducing any substantial disadvantages that employees with a disability may face compared to someone who does not have a disability.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what interim targets they have set to meet the commitment in the Life Sciences Sector Plan for the UK to become one of the three fastest countries in Europe for patient access to medicines by 2030.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Life Sciences Sector Plan includes a broad range of commitments to support our ambitions to be one of the top three fastest places in Europe for patient access to medicines by 2030. This includes improving capacity and efficiency in delivering commercial clinical trials, investing in innovation, and supporting access and uptake across the system.

The target itself will be measured by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Waiting to Access Innovative Therapies indicator. The latest data shows that the median time between regulatory approval and patient availability for medicines launched between 2020 and 2023 was 310 days for England and 303 days for Scotland, compared to a European Union median of 518 days.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what internal or professional disciplinary procedures may be invoked by an NHS Trust in the case of a resident doctor who has been found to have dishonestly claimed to be neurodivergent or have learning disabilities.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service organisations, as independent employers, have their own internal grievance and disciplinary procedures which should comply with employment law and relevant Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service codes and guidance. Any allegations of dishonesty would be considered to be a conduct issue and investigated in accordance with the employer’s disciplinary policy and procedures.

Maintaining High Professional Standards provides a national framework for the handling of concerns about doctors and dentists in the NHS. NHS trusts may also report any concerns about doctors to the General Medical Council.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent increase in the number of resident doctors who say they are neurodivergent or have learning disabilities.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There has been no assessment made of the increase in the number of resident doctors who are neurodivergent or have learning disabilities.

The General Medical Council has published the number of doctors who have declared learning disabilities in their GMC Workforce Report. However, the data is not broken down to specifically show resident doctors. In 2024, just over 6,000 licensed doctors recorded their disability as a ‘learning disability’.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure an equitable distribution of general medical practitioners in England between regions.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Following actions taken by this government, England currently has the highest number of fully qualified general practitioners (GPs) since 2015.

We want to go further than this, and that’s why thousands more GPs are being trained to expand capacity further. The number of GP training places has been expanded by 250, taking the total number of available places to 4250 for 2025/26, and we plan to expand this again for 2026/27. Current and future expansions to post-graduate training, including foundation training and GP specialty training, have been planned on the basis of relative need, balanced with ability of locations to support trainees.

There has long been criticism that the way GP funding is allocated across England (the Carr-Hill formula), is considered outdated. This is why we are reviewing the Carr-Hill formula, to ensure funding for core services is distributed equitably between practices across the country. The first phase of the review is expected to conclude in March 2026.

Following feedback from the 2026/27 GP contract consultation, this Government is introducing a practice-level GP reimbursement scheme using £292 million of repurposed funding from the current Capacity and Access Payment. This funding will be available to practices to hire additional GPs or fund additional sessions with existing GPs to improve access to general practice. The funding is equivalent to 1600 FTE GPs nationally and aims to strengthen capacity, access, and improve patient satisfaction, whilst also addressing GP unemployment and underemployment.

We are also increasing the flexibility of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) by removing the restriction that ARRS funding can only be used for recently qualified GPs, increasing the maximum reimbursement amount for GP roles to reflect experience, and enabling primary care networks to recruit a broader range of ARRS roles, where agreed with the commissioner.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to monitor the delivery of efficiency savings by NHS England, integrated care boards and NHS providers in order to fund the NHS Agenda for Change staff pay award 2026–27; and what steps they plan to take to ensure that those savings do not impact frontline services.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has accepted the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) recommendation for a 2026/27 headline pay award, for all National Health Service staff on Agenda for Change (AfC), of a 3.3% pay rise effective from April 2026. We hugely appreciate the work of so many talented staff across the NHS. Accepting the recommendation gives NHS staff on AfC a deserved real terms pay rise.

The additional pressure above 2.5% affordability will be managed by the Department and the arms length bodies, including NHS England’s central budgets, but will not be paid for by cutting frontline services or an additional efficiency ask of integrated care boards and providers.

At the 2024 Autumn Statement and in our NHSPRB evidence, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to a 2% annual productivity growth target for the NHS and productivity is currently ahead of this target at 2.8% for the first seven months in this financial year. In 2025/26, systems have planned £11.1 billion of efficiencies and savings, or 7.1% of the total allocation. The planned efficiency and savings for the 2026/27 financial year will be finalised as part of the normal planning process that is currently underway.

Both efficiency and productivity performance is monitored on a monthly basis as part of our routine financial management to ensure the NHS lives within its budget.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cash value of the productivity and efficiency savings to be made by NHS England, integrated care boards and NHS providers in order to fund the NHS Agenda for Change staff pay award 2026–27.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has accepted the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) recommendation for a 2026/27 headline pay award, for all National Health Service staff on Agenda for Change (AfC), of a 3.3% pay rise effective from April 2026. We hugely appreciate the work of so many talented staff across the NHS. Accepting the recommendation gives NHS staff on AfC a deserved real terms pay rise.

The additional pressure above 2.5% affordability will be managed by the Department and the arms length bodies, including NHS England’s central budgets, but will not be paid for by cutting frontline services or an additional efficiency ask of integrated care boards and providers.

At the 2024 Autumn Statement and in our NHSPRB evidence, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to a 2% annual productivity growth target for the NHS and productivity is currently ahead of this target at 2.8% for the first seven months in this financial year. In 2025/26, systems have planned £11.1 billion of efficiencies and savings, or 7.1% of the total allocation. The planned efficiency and savings for the 2026/27 financial year will be finalised as part of the normal planning process that is currently underway.

Both efficiency and productivity performance is monitored on a monthly basis as part of our routine financial management to ensure the NHS lives within its budget.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they still plan to increase the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cost per quality-adjusted life years thresholds in April; and what steps they will take to implement that increase.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) currently assesses value for money for the National Health Service by applying a standard cost-effectiveness range of £20,000 to £30,000 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained over and above current treatments. As part of the landmark pharmaceuticals trade deal with the United States of America, it has been agreed that the cost-effectiveness threshold will be increased to £25,000 to £35,000 per QALY.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, does not currently have the legal power to direct NICE to amend the cost-effectiveness threshold used in its technology appraisal or highly specialised technology programmes. The Government has therefore proceeded to amend the NICE regulations, to give ministers a limited power of direction to set the core cost-effectiveness threshold that NICE uses in the development of guidance, and remove the requirement for NICE to consult on methods changes where these result from a ministerial direction. The regulation change has been made by a statutory instrument which was laid before Parliament on 3 March 2026 and, subject to the will of Parliament, will come into force on 24 March 2026. In line with the United Kingdom-United States’ deal, NICE will implement the cost-effectiveness threshold increase in April 2026, following a direction from my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to expand new-born screening in line with its ambition in the 10 Year Health Plan to roll out whole genome sequencing by 2030; and what interim targets they have established to measure progress towards this ambition.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 10-Year Health Plan set out an ambition to “implement universal genomic testing” within the next decade. Delivering against this ambition will be subject to evidence gathered through the Generation Study. This research programme is evaluating the effectiveness of using whole genome sequencing to test 100,000 newborns for genetic mutations associated with more than 200 rare genetic conditions. The sequencing of 100,000 newborns through the Generation Study will be completed by summer 2027. The evaluation part of the study will then be completed and presented to the UK National Screening Committee who will make a recommendation to Government ministers on whether newborn genomic screening should be offered in the National Health Service or whether more research is required. Subject to this, and appropriate funding being available, genomic testing could be available for all newborns by 2035.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have conducted research into the behavioural response of the public if alcohol labelling displayed the calorie, sugar and energy contents on the same basis as all other drinks; and, if so, when the research will be completed and published.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, is funding research into alcohol labelling.

This includes a study which seeks to understand the impact of alcohol calorie labelling on alcohol and calorie selection, purchasing, and consumption. This study is due to end in 2026. The findings from this work will show the potential impact of calorie labelling on calorie intake and alcohol consumption.

In both the Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England and the National Cancer plan for England, the Government committed to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the letter from Baroness Merron to Lord Kamall on 19 February (DEP2026-0132), by what date they expect to conclude negotiations with the British Medical Association resident doctors committee about helping doctors with the up-front cost of their training.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government remains committed to working constructively with trade unions and improving the working conditions for all our hardworking National Health Service staff. Since 8 January 2026, the Government has been engaging in intensive and constructive discussions with the British Medical Association’s Resident Doctors Committee, exploring various measures aimed at improving the working lives of resident doctors.

Given the nature of negotiations, we cannot at this time provide a specific date by which we expect talks to have concluded. We hope that these talks result in an agreement that works for everyone and avoids further unnecessary disruption for patients and NHS staff.

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Found:  A cross-departmental Young Futures Plan bringing together DWP, DfE, DHSC and DCMS to align policy

Found: A cross-departmental Young Futures Plan bringing together DWP, DfE, DHSC and DCMS to align policy and

Found: Targets can focus government attention, drive cross-department accountability (DWP, DfE, DHSC and local

Found: We believe that the Department of Work and Pensions should work with the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: We welcome the Future Minds Roadmap recommendation that DHSC and DWP jointly expand this pilot, potentially

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Found: The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) should engage with manufacturers of the relevant procedural

Found: The Department of Health and Social Care is looking at this in its review of prevalence and what the

Found: You have conversations with the Home Office about radicalisation, and with the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: You have conversations with the Home Office about radicalisation, and with the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: The Department of Health and Social Care has come up with some proposals around primary care.

Found: You have conversations with the Home Office about radicalisation, and with the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: with digital technology suppliers HC 640 26th Tackling Violence against Women and Girls HC 644 25th DHSC

Found: Fragmentation between DfE, DHSC, and local government undermines joined-up services.

Found: At time of writing, the Department of Health and Social Care element of this cross-departmental programme

Found: A defined ring-fenced funding stream (via DHSC, or jointly with DCMS) for creative health provision targeting

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Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on incorporating (a) evidence on the maternal and neonatal risks from extreme heat and (b) measures to protect pregnant people and infants during heatwaves into the UK’s National Adaptation Programme.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is working across Government to reset the climate adaptation framework and safeguard people, livelihoods, and the natural environment. Defra is setting stronger objectives and improving governance and monitoring, to help the Government turn evidence into action.

The Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)recognise there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures, set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. This includes an assessment on stillbirth, pre-term birth and maternal health complications.

UKHSA provides a weather-health alerting system for England, which alerts the public (including specific vulnerable groups such as pregnant women) and public sector organisations to prepare for impacts of adverse weather, including high temperatures. Risks to health are communicated via heat-health alerts.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding the potential merits of incorporating (a) evidence on the maternal and neonatal risks from extreme heat and (b) measures to protect pregnant people and infants during heatwaves into the UK’s National Adaptation Programme.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is working across Government to reset the climate adaptation framework and safeguard people, livelihoods, and our natural environment. Defra is setting stronger objectives and improving governance and monitoring, to help Government turn evidence into action.

The Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognises that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures which are set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. This includes an assessment on stillbirth, pre-term birth and maternal health complications.

UKHSA provides a weather-health alerting system for England, which alerts the public (including specific vulnerable groups such as pregnant women) and public sector organisations to prepare for impacts of adverse weather, including high temperatures. Risks to health are communicated via heat-health alerts.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for the life sciences sector.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Life Sciences Sector Plan, published in July 2025, launched a ten year programme to cement the UK’s position as a global life sciences leader. The Secretary of State is in regular contact with Cabinet colleagues, and we have strengthened the Office for Life Sciences as a trilateral unit across DSIT, DHSC and DBT, bringing together health, industrial strategy and innovation, and appointed an Executive Chair, Steve Bates, to provide leadership and accountability.

This collaborative approach is delivering, with the UK securing multibillion pound private investment, building new research infrastructure, scaling manufacturing, streamlining regulation, strengthening clinical trials and driving medical breakthroughs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure a) parents and b) carers are aware that they can request to view DBS certificates when recruiting individuals to work with i) children and ii) vulnerable adults.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

In January the following news story Self-employed workers and personal employees can now apply for Enhanced DBS checks - GOV.UK announced the legislative changes which now allow self‑employed individuals, as well as personal employees who are hired directly by an individual or family, to obtain enhanced criminal record checks with barred list information issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), when they work closely with children or vulnerable adults. The article explained that parents and carers who employ a self‑employed worker or personal employee in an eligible role can ask to see that individual’s enhanced DBS certificate, including barred list information; it also included links to further guidance.

Alongside this, DBS has updated its published guidance on GOV.UK to reflect the change:

• DBS checks for self-employed people and personal employees - GOV.UK
• Private individuals employing self-employed workers or personal employees - GOV.UK
• DBS application form: guide for counter signatories - GOV.UK

The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance for parents and carers to help them make informed decisions on Out-of-School settings for their children. This highlights information on the safeguarding measures providers should have in place and questions to ask, including on staff/volunteer DBS checks.

Similarly, the DfE has provided explanatory posters for providers to put up in their setting. These include a safeguarding checklist and prompts parents to ask about appropriate staff/volunteer checks, including DBS checks.

The DfE also held a Call for Evidence in 2025, considering how to further improve safeguarding standards in Out-of-School settings, including questions on the issue of how providers communicate their safeguarding practices with parents. DfE will respond in due course.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working with Skills for Care to update guidance for people who employ personal assistants in line with the recent changes in access to enhanced DBS checks. The current guidance is published in the Employing PAs Toolkit in Skills for Care’s website, and further updates are due imminently.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms are in place to ensure coordination between her Department and the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department for Education on policies affecting household access to food; and whether responsibility for oversight of such coordination rests with a named Minister.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Good Food Cycle, published in July 2025, identifies 10 priority outcomes across themes of healthier food, sustainability, food security, affordability and inequality, and good growth. Defra leads on coordination across government on the Good Food Cycle outcomes. Defra officials and Ministers have regular interactions with other Government departments to ensure coordination on policies required to deliver them. This includes regular engagement with the Department for Work and Pensions on ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels, with the Department for Health and Social Care on food related elements of the 10 Year Health Plan, and with the Department for Education on School Food Standards.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress the Medical Research Council has made on delivering ME/CFS research improvements.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has prioritised research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) for many years, investing over £4.65 million since 2020, and welcomes high quality applications in this area.

MRC is working with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to deliver on agreed actions from the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan. This includes funding strategic initiatives to increase research capacity and hosting engagement events to bring together research funders, commercial and academic researchers and patient representatives. For example, in November DHSC, NIHR and UKRI, co-hosted a research showcase to discuss and explore the ongoing research in the fields of ME/CFS and long COVID. MRC continues to liaise with the ME/CFS research community to support future applicants.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she can list the (a) Ministerial responsibilities and (b) the responsibilities and reporting arrangements of any relevant cross-departmental units in relation to drugs policy.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Joint Combating Drugs Unit (JCDU) is responsible for driving and co-ordinating efforts across Government to tackle drugs, working in close partnership with six departments – the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Education. JCDU comprises full-time civil servants who are seconded from key government departments.

Each department is responsible for delivery of their programmes and projects. Progress is overseen by the lead departmental ministers but also reported to me as the lead drugs Minister, while a lead Permanent Secretary fulfils the role of senior responsible owner at official level.

Illicit drug use affects the whole of society, and this Government is taking a collective response to deliver safer streets, improve health outcomes and contribute to opportunities and growth through reducing crime and saving lives.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support the mental health of young people reliant on online communities for emotional and social support.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government recognises that for many young people, online communities can play an important role in providing emotional and social support. It is vital that these online spaces are safe. Through the Online Safety Act, in-scope services are required to protect children from illegal and harmful and age-inappropriate content.

On 2 March, the government launched a consultation which will explore options to ensure children’s experiences online are safe and enriching.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working to improve access to mental health support for young people, both online and offline.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take with (a) the Department for Health and Social Care and (b) local authorities to help ensure that immigration reforms support (i) recruitment to social care vacancies and (ii) the implementation of statutory duties under the Care Act 2014.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government published the Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System last year which announced the intention to end overseas recruitment for social care visas. The new Immigration Rules which prohibit overseas recruitment took effect in July 2025, however transitional arrangements exist for individuals already in the UK to switch into the route. The transitional arrangements are due expire in 2028 but will be subject to regular review.

The Home Office continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funded Regional Partnerships to support care workers, who have been impacted by exploitative employers. DHSC are funding 15 regional hubs in England, made up of Local Authorities and Directors of Adult Social Services, working together to support displaced workers into new roles within the care sector. These regional hubs have received £12.5 million this financial year to support them to prevent and respond to unethical practices in the sector.

The Government remains committed to supporting Health & Care visa holders who wish to pursue a career in the adult social care sector.

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Found: work closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Department of Health and Social Care

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Found: Dr Jo Daniels, a UKRI Policy Fellow, worked within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Science

Found: information about CPRD, visit: www.cprd.com  The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Gastroenterology (BSG) British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (BSGAR) Department of Health and Social Care

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Found: Society • Royal Society of Medicine • UK Clinical Pharmacy Association Others • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Ruxolitinib for treating non-segmental vitiligo in people 12 years and over The Department of Health and Social Care

Found: The Review recommended that the Department of Health and Social Care should define the dispensing responsibilities

Found: organisations, as required by the Health and Social Care Act (2012): • NHS England • Department of Health and Social Care

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Found: College of Paramedics Costello Medical Cure and Action for Tay-Sachs Foundation DEBRA UK Department of Health and Social Care

Found: professional and personal Leading author for the Future Cancer UK: Histotripsy Evidence Document for the DHSC

Found: Gastroenterology (BSG) British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (BSGAR) Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Physical Activity Clinical Champion, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care

Found: This systematic review is being completed by NICE which receives funding from the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: refractory follicular lymphoma after 2 or more lines of systemic treatment The Department of Health and Social Care

Found: and personal Leading author for the Future Cancer UK: Histotripsy Evidence Document for the DHSC

Found: Physical Activity Clinical Champion, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Pegzilarginase for treating arginase-1 deficiency in people 2 years and over The Department of Health and Social Care

Found: triaging skin lesions referred to the urgent suspected skin cancer pathway: early value assessment DHSC

Found: Foundation Trust Croydon University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust DeepX Health Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Pharmacy Association • UK Oncology Nursing Society • Urology Foundation Others • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Association • UK Cutaneous Lymphoma Group • UK Oncology Nursing Society Others • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Pharmacy Association • UK Oncology Nursing Society • Urology Foundation Others • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Association • UK Cutaneous Lymphoma Group • UK Oncology Nursing Society Others • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Pegzilarginase for treating arginase-1 deficiency in people 2 years and over The Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Inherited Metabolic Disorders • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Inherited Metabolic Disorders • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: CVRX Cybex Ventures Deltex Medical Dementia Pathfinders Community Interest Company Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Care Quality Commission Cochrane Anaesthesia Review Group College of Paramedics Department of Health and Social Care

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Found: Statistics Authority, Cabinet Office, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Health and Social Care

Found: 00:00:00Meeting / with UK MinisterDr Zubir Ahmed MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care

Found: The exercise, led by the Department of Health and Social Care in partnership with the UK Health Security

Found: The exercise, led by the Department of Health and Social Care in partnership with the UK Health Security

Found: DHSC Department for Health and Social Care. EIC European Innovation Council.