Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 NHS England Neurology Transformation Programme on access to specialised neurology care, including care from specialist nurses, for people living with multiple sclerosis.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), including those in the Mid Buckinghamshire constituency, including the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit and the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology.
NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme has developed a new model of integrated care for neurology services, to support systems to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including those with MS. This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions.
The Neurology Transformation Programme has developed guidance on improving access to disease-modifying treatments for MS with the aim of enabling people to receive care closer to home. The guidance includes successful delivery models and good practice case studies, and has been made available to National Health Service colleagues. The Neurology Transformation Programme is working with a number of systems across England to implement change, which will be implemented within individual systems, and which would also assess the impact on access to specialised neurology care, including care from specialist nurses, for people living with MS.
On 13 August 2025, NHS England updated its service specification for specialised adult neurology services, following extensive consultation. A copy of this service specification is attached. The service specification includes guidance on both the specialised and core neurology services that should be available for patients with MS with a clear model for networked care to improve access to specialist services in underserved areas. The service specification outlines that specialised neurology centres must include access to treatment services for MS and have clear pathways for access to disease-modifying therapies.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 people living with multiple sclerosis to access timely, high-quality care and treatment in Mid Buckinghamshire constituency.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), including those in the Mid Buckinghamshire constituency, including the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit and the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology.
NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme has developed a new model of integrated care for neurology services, to support systems to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including those with MS. This focuses on providing access equitably across the country, care as close to home as possible, and early intervention to prevent illness and deterioration in patients with long-term neurological conditions.
The Neurology Transformation Programme has developed guidance on improving access to disease-modifying treatments for MS with the aim of enabling people to receive care closer to home. The guidance includes successful delivery models and good practice case studies, and has been made available to National Health Service colleagues. The Neurology Transformation Programme is working with a number of systems across England to implement change, which will be implemented within individual systems, and which would also assess the impact on access to specialised neurology care, including care from specialist nurses, for people living with MS.
On 13 August 2025, NHS England updated its service specification for specialised adult neurology services, following extensive consultation. A copy of this service specification is attached. The service specification includes guidance on both the specialised and core neurology services that should be available for patients with MS with a clear model for networked care to improve access to specialist services in underserved areas. The service specification outlines that specialised neurology centres must include access to treatment services for MS and have clear pathways for access to disease-modifying therapies.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 neighbourhood cancer care models in the National Cancer Plan have a role in reducing health inequalities.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, is for our health system to fit around people’s lives. The Neighbourhood Health Service will mean that millions of patients are treated and cared for closer to their home by new teams of professionals, and neighbourhood health centres will provide easier, more convenient access to a full range of healthcare services on people’s doorsteps.
It will involve care closer to the community, including a focus on prevention, as well as the redesign of outpatient and diagnostic services, and the re-design of urgent and emergency care.
In the forthcoming National Cancer Plan, we will look at how to incorporate this neighbourhood approach into cancer care. The National Cancer Plan will also set out how we will work with organisations representing communities that experience health inequalities, to help us meet the needs of all cancer patients across England.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 a framework for neighbourhood cancer care as part of the National Cancer Plan.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, is for our health system to fit around people’s lives. The Neighbourhood Health Service will mean that millions of patients are treated and cared for closer to their home by new teams of professionals, and neighbourhood health centres will provide easier, more convenient access to a full range of healthcare services on people’s doorsteps.
It will involve care closer to the community, including a focus on prevention, as well as the redesign of outpatient and diagnostic services, and the re-design of urgent and emergency care.
In the forthcoming National Cancer Plan, we will look at how to incorporate this neighbourhood approach into cancer care. The National Cancer Plan will also set out how we will work with organisations representing communities that experience health inequalities, to help us meet the needs of all cancer patients across England.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 improve long-term quality of life for people (a) living with and (b) beyond cancer under the National Cancer Plan.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Cancer Plan, which will be published early in the new year, will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as prevention, and research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. The National Cancer Plan will build on the three shifts set out by the 10-Year Health Plan. These shifts will enable rapid progress on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, as well as supporting those living with cancer to better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
The National Cancer Plan will aim to improve how the physical and psychosocial needs of people with cancer can be met, with a focus on personalised care to improve quality of life. It will address how the experience of care can be improved for those diagnosed, treated, and living with and beyond cancer.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 current NICE QALY threshold on (a) patient access to innovative medicines and (b) the UK’s competitiveness in attracting life sciences investment.
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 authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE is able to recommend most new medicines for use by the NHS, with a 91% approval rate for completed appraisals in the last 12 months.
As committed to in our Life Sciences Sector Plan, we will work with industry to accelerate growth in the net spend on innovative medicines over the course of this plan compared with the previous ten years, particularly for those medicines that help keep people out of hospital. Together, this will help ensure that by 2030, the United Kingdom will be one of the top three fastest places in Europe for patient access to medicines.
The Life Sciences Sector Plan also committed to faster patient access to medicines and reduced industry costs, while ensuring good value for the NHS. A Growth Mandate on NHS commercial activity will drive focus on activity which is growth-maximising and will ensure that promoting innovation is seen as an institutional objective alongside achieving value for money. A new, proportionate approach to NICE appraisals and indication-specific pricing will streamline access for multi-indication medicines with strong outcomes and low affordability risk. These commitments will create a more agile, predictable commercial environment that supports investment into the UK.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 medicines budget supports (a) access to innovative treatments and (b) attracts global pharmaceutical investment.
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 authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE is able to recommend most new medicines for use by the NHS, with a 91% approval rate for completed appraisals in the last 12 months.
As committed to in our Life Sciences Sector Plan, we will work with industry to accelerate growth in the net spend on innovative medicines over the course of this plan compared with the previous ten years, particularly for those medicines that help keep people out of hospital. Together, this will help ensure that by 2030, the United Kingdom will be one of the top three fastest places in Europe for patient access to medicines.
The Life Sciences Sector Plan also committed to faster patient access to medicines and reduced industry costs, while ensuring good value for the NHS. A Growth Mandate on NHS commercial activity will drive focus on activity which is growth-maximising and will ensure that promoting innovation is seen as an institutional objective alongside achieving value for money. A new, proportionate approach to NICE appraisals and indication-specific pricing will streamline access for multi-indication medicines with strong outcomes and low affordability risk. These commitments will create a more agile, predictable commercial environment that supports investment into the UK.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
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 (a) living with and (b) beyond cancer receive (i) timely and (ii) personalised support following a cancer diagnosis in Mid Buckinghamshire constituency.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is committed to ensuring that all cancer patients in England, including those in Mid Buckinghamshire constituency, receive timely, personalised care that is tailored to individual needs.
Where appropriate, every person in England diagnosed with cancer will have access to personalised care, including needs assessment, a care plan and health and wellbeing information and support. This includes provision of information, empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer. Personalised care ensures that each person’s care is planned holistically, covering mental and physical health as well as any practical or financial concerns.
The National Cancer Plan will seek to improve the experience and outcomes for people living with cancer. Having consulted with key stakeholders and patient groups, the plan will be published early in the new year. It will look at how we can improve communication and coordination for patients, so that they feel informed and in control of their care.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is available to help Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust to recruit and retain specialist cancer (a) nurses and (b) other professionals.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Recruitment to National Health Service roles is managed locally by NHS trusts and partner employers. However, NHS England is taking a range of actions to support the recruitment and retention of staff.
As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. To support this ambition, the Government will introduce a new set of standards for modern employment in April 2026. The new standards will reaffirm our commitment to improving retention by tackling the issues that matter to staff.
Over 1,000 Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS) grants were made available to new and aspiring CNSs. This will benefit trusts across the country, including Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust. Additionally, NHS England funds the Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development Framework, which sets out an end-to-end career pathway for nurses and other staff working in cancer to build their competencies to deliver the best possible care.
We will work with the university sector and colleagues across Government to ensure that we train the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals that we need and maximise the contribution that our great research institutions make to the country. We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.
Furthermore, we will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the NHS in the future. Over the next three years, we will create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is greatest need. This will benefit patients across the country, including Buckinghamshire.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Government plans to update UK Infection Prevention and Control guidance to reflect the scientific consensus that (a) covid-19 and (b) other respiratory pathogens are airborne; and what steps he is taking to ensure enforceable indoor air quality standards in healthcare settings.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) for England, published by NHS England, whilst not pathogen specific, provides overarching infection prevention and control principles that should be used to inform clinical judgement/practice. The NIPCM for England is regularly updated in response to changing epidemiology, or scientific evidence, feedback from frontline healthcare staff, and system need.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice on the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus notes that SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted between individuals through infectious respiratory particles, droplet and aerosol, with transmission risk being highest when in close proximity to an infectious individual, particularly within two metres. Being in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, particularly for an extended period of time, also increases the risk of becoming infected. Further information on UKHSA advice is available at the following link:
Published guidance on ventilation in healthcare settings includes the Health Technical Memorandum 03-01: Specialised ventilation for healthcare premises, the NHS Estates Technical Bulletin (NETB 2023/01A): application of HEPA filter devices for air cleaning in healthcare spaces: guidance and standards, and the NHS Estates Technical Bulletin (NETB 2023/01B): application of ultraviolet (UVC) devices for air cleaning in occupied healthcare spaces: guidance and standards, with further information on all three documents available, respectively, at the following three links:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/specialised-ventilation-for-healthcare-buildings/