Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely health impacts of the requirement under the NHS net zero supplier roadmap for suppliers to report all relevant scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from April 2027.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap was originally published in 2021 under the previous administration and stipulated that: "All suppliers will be required to publicly report targets, emissions and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan for global emissions aligned to the NHS net zero target, for all of their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions."
The guidance was updated in June 2026 to operate in a much less rigid and more common-sense way, stating that: "The NHS will implement new proportionate requirements for suppliers to publicly report targets, emissions and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan for all of their relevant global scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions."
This new approach follows extensive stakeholder engagement, allowing a more flexible approach to be taken in respect of different suppliers. For example, recognising that, where there are limited suppliers of certain goods, equipment, or services, or where those supplies are critical to patient care, it may not be appropriate to apply net zero procurement requirements.
In addition to progressing the supplier roadmap milestones, NHS England continues to support high-quality lower carbon respiratory care which improves clinical outcomes whilst reducing carbon emissions from inhalers, and has saved hundreds of millions of pounds in energy costs which have been channelled back into frontline care. The updated guidance will continue to drive those savings for the taxpayer, while operating in a much more proportionate and less burdensome way.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether requirements of the NHS net zero supplier roadmap to report all relevant Scope 3 emissions from April 2027 is a requirement under the Climate Change Act 2008.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap was originally published in 2021 under the previous administration and stipulated that: "All suppliers will be required to publicly report targets, emissions and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan for global emissions aligned to the NHS net zero target, for all of their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions."
The guidance was updated in June 2026 to operate in a much less rigid and more common-sense way, stating that: "The NHS will implement new proportionate requirements for suppliers to publicly report targets, emissions and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan for all of their relevant global scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions."
This new approach follows extensive stakeholder engagement, allowing a more flexible approach to be taken in respect of different suppliers. For example, recognising that, where there are limited suppliers of certain goods, equipment, or services, or where those supplies are critical to patient care, it may not be appropriate to apply net zero procurement requirements.
In addition to progressing the supplier roadmap milestones, NHS England continues to support high-quality lower carbon respiratory care which improves clinical outcomes whilst reducing carbon emissions from inhalers, and has saved hundreds of millions of pounds in energy costs which have been channelled back into frontline care. The updated guidance will continue to drive those savings for the taxpayer, while operating in a much more proportionate and less burdensome way.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they support the creation of a permanent group bringing together the Department of Health, academia, and industry on sepsis, severe infection, and antimicrobial resistance to accelerate the development of life-saving solutions.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Sepsis Modern Service Framework, a copy of which is attached, includes priority actions and tasks with indicative timelines. Immediate and short-term actions in the framework will be delivered within existing funding under the current departmental allocation following the 2025 Spending Review. Longer term funding will be subject to future spending reviews.
The wide range of experts on sepsis, severe infection, and antimicrobial resistance involved in development of the framework continue to be engaged, to support both implementation of best practice consistently across the National Health Service, and to prioritise research and innovation efforts to better enable improvements in patient care and outcomes.
The framework also commits to delivering a targeted public communications campaign for high-risk groups to improve prevention, identification, escalation, and response to sepsis.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve awareness of the early signs of sepsis, particularly in high-risk populations; and how they plan to disseminate awareness resources.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Sepsis Modern Service Framework, a copy of which is attached, includes priority actions and tasks with indicative timelines. Immediate and short-term actions in the framework will be delivered within existing funding under the current departmental allocation following the 2025 Spending Review. Longer term funding will be subject to future spending reviews.
The wide range of experts on sepsis, severe infection, and antimicrobial resistance involved in development of the framework continue to be engaged, to support both implementation of best practice consistently across the National Health Service, and to prioritise research and innovation efforts to better enable improvements in patient care and outcomes.
The framework also commits to delivering a targeted public communications campaign for high-risk groups to improve prevention, identification, escalation, and response to sepsis.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to release their implementation plan for the Sepsis Modern Service Framework; and how they will fund the necessary improvements.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Sepsis Modern Service Framework, a copy of which is attached, includes priority actions and tasks with indicative timelines. Immediate and short-term actions in the framework will be delivered within existing funding under the current departmental allocation following the 2025 Spending Review. Longer term funding will be subject to future spending reviews.
The wide range of experts on sepsis, severe infection, and antimicrobial resistance involved in development of the framework continue to be engaged, to support both implementation of best practice consistently across the National Health Service, and to prioritise research and innovation efforts to better enable improvements in patient care and outcomes.
The framework also commits to delivering a targeted public communications campaign for high-risk groups to improve prevention, identification, escalation, and response to sepsis.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Merron on 1 May (HL Deb col 144GC), when the review of the clinical commissioning policy relating to multi-grip hand and upper limb prosthesis is expected to be published.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England has commissioned Solutions for Public Health (SPH) to complete a compliance audit report of the Multi-grip prosthetic hand (all ages) clinical commissioning policy, a copy of which is attached. The audit report from SPH will be available to commissioners by the end of October 2025.
NHS England will use the audit report to inform the evidence base for any proposed changes to the current commissioning policy.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential implications for policy of the recommended Areas of Improvement of the report by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, Sepsis: investigating under the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), published on 26 June.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition, taken very seriously by the Government. The Government therefore welcomes the three patient safety investigation reports on sepsis, published on 26 June by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB).
Together, the Department and NHS England are closely considering the HSSIB’s recently recommended Areas of Improvement. This will include working with stakeholders to assess implications for current policies and guidance, including reinforcing the updated Royal College of Physicians National Early Warning Score guidance, as well as implications for future policy and development.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the development and implementation of a sepsis pathway, a standardised treatment plan to ensure sepsis patients receive the right care from the point at which they present their symptoms to a clinician through to receiving their diagnosis.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Sepsis has no specific diagnostic test, and the signs and symptoms can vary hugely. As a result, sepsis can be challenging to diagnose. It is therefore critical that all acutely unwell patients are treated promptly and appropriately regardless of cause. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) is a clinical screening tool for the recognition of acutely unwell adults, including those with sepsis. NEWS2 supports clinicians to determine the need for immediate care and is used in 99% of acute trusts and 100% of ambulance trusts in England.
To further support clinical staff and ensure unwell patients are identified promptly and are immediately started on life-saving treatment, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence published updated national guidance in March 2024 on sepsis recognition, diagnosis, and early management, which staff can access alongside NHS England’s online sepsis training programmes. Furthermore, the Department continues to fund research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, to improve our understanding of sepsis diagnosis and immediate management.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address any inequality in reliability of diagnosis and immediate care between (1) sepsis, and (2) stroke.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Sepsis and stroke are time sensitive and potentially life-threatening conditions, both taken very seriously by the Government. However, they are distinct conditions and present different diagnostic and treatment challenges.
The National Optimal Stroke Imaging pathway provides a pathway to rapid intervention based on a clear diagnosis through imaging, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy rates have risen, indicating effective immediate stroke care. In comparison, sepsis has no specific diagnostic test, and the signs and symptoms can vary hugely. As a result, sepsis can be challenging to diagnose.
The Government is focused on improving the recognition and early diagnosis of sepsis by healthcare professionals, including through NHS England’s online sepsis training programmes, so that unwell patients are identified promptly and started on immediate life-saving treatment. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS2), is a clinical screening tool for the recognition of acutely unwell adults, including those with sepsis. NEWS2 supports clinicians to determine the need for immediate care and is used in 99% of acute trusts and 100% of ambulance trusts in England.
Furthermore, the Department continues to fund research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, to improve our understanding of sepsis diagnosis and immediate management.
Asked by: Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support individuals with limb loss to use the healthcare system by innovation in assistive technologies.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Appointments for prosthetics services are offered over a range of media, including via video and telephone. All patients, including individuals with limb loss, can access environmental controls if they meet the criteria as set out within the service specifications Environmental Control Equipment for Patients with Complex Disability (All Ages) and Complex Disability Equipment – Prosthetic Specialised Services For People Of All Ages With Limb Loss, copies of which are attached.
NHS England’s Clinical Priorities Advisory Group has approved a new service specification titled Prosthetic Specialised Services For People Of All Ages With Limb Loss, due for publication in May 2025. This will be implemented by all 35 specialist centres providing prosthetics care. It will improve outcomes for those with limb loss by offering personalised care and enabling patient choice. It also includes metrics which can be used to monitor access times and the quality of care.
NHS England is also reviewing the Clinical Commissioning Policy relating to multi-grip hand and upper limb prosthesis. To inform this review, an audit exploring data relating to the uptake and the latest clinical outcomes is underway, with results expected in Summer 2025. Alongside this, NHS England is commissioning a horizon scan of the latest prosthesis innovations.
The Department will continue to encourage greater innovation in the health sector to help support the three big shifts in healthcare, from hospitals to communities, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention, which are set out as part of the Government’s Health Mission.
The upcoming Life Sciences Sector Plan, as part of the United Kingdom’s industrial strategy, and the 10-Year Health Plan present significant opportunities to enable patients to benefit from the strengthening of the UK’s life sciences sector, ensuring that innovation is embedded across the healthcare system. This will build on the Department’s Medical Technology Strategy, published in February 2023, and the subsequent One Year On Report in April 2024, outlining our priorities for improving the adoption and spread of safe, effective, and innovative medical technologies across the National Health Service.