Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the MS Society and Neurological Alliance’s report entitled Neurological Conditions: The Case for a Modern Service Framework, published in May 2026, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing the recommended goal of a 30% reduction in avoidable emergency admissions for neurological conditions by 2035.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department welcomes the report from the MS Society and Neurological Alliance as a valuable contribution to the evidence base, and recognises the important issues it raises, including variation in access to care, diagnostic delays and pressures across neurological services.
The Government is already taking forward work to improve neurological services through national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) NHS RightCare, updated service specifications and new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which together aim to reduce variation and deliver more coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Department has made no specific assessment of introducing a target to reduce avoidable admissions for neurological conditions by 30% by 2035. However, the Department recognises the importance of reducing avoidable hospital admissions and improving outcomes for people with neurological conditions. National Programmes like GIRFT and RightCare strengthen early diagnosis, improve community‑based support and develop integrated care pathways, with the aim of reducing avoidable deterioration and supporting patients closer to home.
The Government will continue to consider evidence and proposals to improve care for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is developing a programme of Modern Service Frameworks (MSFs) which will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. The first wave was agreed as Cardiovascular Disease, Sepsis and Severe Mental Illness. The second wave has now been agreed as Frailty and Dementia, Children and Young People, and Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions, including neurological conditions, for future waves of MSFs. The criteria for determining future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 implications for his Department's policies of the MS Society and Neurological Alliance’s report entitled Neurological Conditions: The Case for a Modern Service Framework, published in May 2026.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department welcomes the report from the MS Society and Neurological Alliance as a valuable contribution to the evidence base, and recognises the important issues it raises, including variation in access to care, diagnostic delays and pressures across neurological services.
The Government is already taking forward work to improve neurological services through national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) NHS RightCare, updated service specifications and new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which together aim to reduce variation and deliver more coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Department has made no specific assessment of introducing a target to reduce avoidable admissions for neurological conditions by 30% by 2035. However, the Department recognises the importance of reducing avoidable hospital admissions and improving outcomes for people with neurological conditions. National Programmes like GIRFT and RightCare strengthen early diagnosis, improve community‑based support and develop integrated care pathways, with the aim of reducing avoidable deterioration and supporting patients closer to home.
The Government will continue to consider evidence and proposals to improve care for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is developing a programme of Modern Service Frameworks (MSFs) which will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. The first wave was agreed as Cardiovascular Disease, Sepsis and Severe Mental Illness. The second wave has now been agreed as Frailty and Dementia, Children and Young People, and Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions, including neurological conditions, for future waves of MSFs. The criteria for determining future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 value of introducing a Modern Service Framework for neurological conditions.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department welcomes the report from the MS Society and Neurological Alliance as a valuable contribution to the evidence base, and recognises the important issues it raises, including variation in access to care, diagnostic delays and pressures across neurological services.
The Government is already taking forward work to improve neurological services through national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) NHS RightCare, updated service specifications and new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which together aim to reduce variation and deliver more coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Department has made no specific assessment of introducing a target to reduce avoidable admissions for neurological conditions by 30% by 2035. However, the Department recognises the importance of reducing avoidable hospital admissions and improving outcomes for people with neurological conditions. National Programmes like GIRFT and RightCare strengthen early diagnosis, improve community‑based support and develop integrated care pathways, with the aim of reducing avoidable deterioration and supporting patients closer to home.
The Government will continue to consider evidence and proposals to improve care for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is developing a programme of Modern Service Frameworks (MSFs) which will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. The first wave was agreed as Cardiovascular Disease, Sepsis and Severe Mental Illness. The second wave has now been agreed as Frailty and Dementia, Children and Young People, and Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions, including neurological conditions, for future waves of MSFs. The criteria for determining future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 preventable unplanned hospital admissions for people with neurological conditions on (a) people with neurological conditions, (b) the NHS and (c) the economy.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of avoidable hospital admissions for neurological conditions. However, we recognise that preventable unplanned hospital admissions can have a significant impact on patients, including deterioration in health and quality of life, as well as placing pressure on NHS services and on wider economic costs.
Improving national standards in neurological care helps to reduce avoidable hospital admissions by ensuring earlier diagnosis, consistent management and timely access to specialist support, as well as ensuring that access to treatment and support for people with neurological conditions is based on clinical need rather than geography. National tools such as guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NHS England’s revised adult neurology service specification and national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) and NHS RightCare support integrated pathways and community‑based care, reducing geographic variation and helping prevent avoidable deterioration that can otherwise lead to emergency admission.
The Government will continue to consider evidence on improving outcomes and reducing avoidable admissions for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 access to neurological treatments and specialist support is determined by clinical need rather than by geography.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of avoidable hospital admissions for neurological conditions. However, we recognise that preventable unplanned hospital admissions can have a significant impact on patients, including deterioration in health and quality of life, as well as placing pressure on NHS services and on wider economic costs.
Improving national standards in neurological care helps to reduce avoidable hospital admissions by ensuring earlier diagnosis, consistent management and timely access to specialist support, as well as ensuring that access to treatment and support for people with neurological conditions is based on clinical need rather than geography. National tools such as guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NHS England’s revised adult neurology service specification and national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) and NHS RightCare support integrated pathways and community‑based care, reducing geographic variation and helping prevent avoidable deterioration that can otherwise lead to emergency admission.
The Government will continue to consider evidence on improving outcomes and reducing avoidable admissions for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 national standards of neurological care.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of avoidable hospital admissions for neurological conditions. However, we recognise that preventable unplanned hospital admissions can have a significant impact on patients, including deterioration in health and quality of life, as well as placing pressure on NHS services and on wider economic costs.
Improving national standards in neurological care helps to reduce avoidable hospital admissions by ensuring earlier diagnosis, consistent management and timely access to specialist support, as well as ensuring that access to treatment and support for people with neurological conditions is based on clinical need rather than geography. National tools such as guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NHS England’s revised adult neurology service specification and national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) and NHS RightCare support integrated pathways and community‑based care, reducing geographic variation and helping prevent avoidable deterioration that can otherwise lead to emergency admission.
The Government will continue to consider evidence on improving outcomes and reducing avoidable admissions for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) impact assessments and (b) consultations were carried out before the publication of the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts and Personal Medical Services Agreements) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department and NHS England assessed the potential impacts of the proposed changes to the GP Contract for 2026/27 throughout the policy-development process, including Equality Impact Assessments, which consider the impact of policy changes against protected characteristics, in line with the public sector equality duty. We are routinely collecting data on workforce, patient access, and service use to inform assessment of impacts.
The Department undertook a programme of consultation and engagement ahead of the publication of the 2026/27 GP Contract Regulations, which concluded in early 2026. The Department expanded the consultation to engage with a wider range of primary care stakeholders, including the British Medical Association’s General Practitioners Committee England, the Royal College of General Practitioners, National Voices, the Institute of General Practice Management, Healthwatch England, the NHS Confederation, now the NHS Alliance following its merger with NHS Providers, and the National Association of Primary Care. This engagement provided in‑depth feedback and ensured that the views of both the profession and patients were reflected in the development of the proposals.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the number of shifts covered by agency midwives in England for each of the last five years.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Agency staffing submissions are collected as nursing, midwifery, and health visitors only. NHS England does not hold shifts on agency midwives as a standalone metric.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much the NHS has spent on agency midwives in each of the last five years.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Agency staffing submissions are collected as nursing, midwifery and health visitors only. NHS England does not hold spend on agency midwives as a standalone metric.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 need for mandatory accreditation services for the installation of telecare devices.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department recognises the importance of ensuring that telecare devices are safe, reliable, and fit for purpose, particularly as services transition from analogue to digital connectivity.
The Department is currently developing non‑statutory telecare commissioning guidance to support local authorities and other commissioners to procure services that are safe, resilient, and future‑proofed. This guidance sets out expectations around quality and safety, and signposts to relevant standards and frameworks. It will support commissioners and buyers to consider installation specifically as part of the service they are procuring.
Sector-led telecare accreditation schemes, such as the Tech Services Association Quality Standard’s Framework, also exist and can act as a signal of quality and safety for those procuring telecare.
No decision has been taken on introducing mandatory telecare standards or accreditation at this time. The Department will continue to keep this under review as the evidence base develops, with a focus on ensuring proportionate and effective protections for people who rely on telecare services.