Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many MP surgeries have Ministers in his Department had with MPs (a) in the period July 2024 to January 2025 and (b) since January 2025.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales
Ministers in the Department held a total of 14 MP surgeries between July 2024 and January 2025, and 89 since January 2025.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
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 number of parental order applications for surrogate born babies made by single men in the courts of England and Wales since 2019 on safeguarding risks.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
There has been no assessment made of the potential impact of the number of parental order applications for surrogate born babies made by single men in the courts of England and Wales since 2019 on safeguarding risks.
The Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service is responsible for making safeguarding assessments on parental order applications. All such applications are considered by the family court on the facts of the individual cases.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS staff are on long term sickness absence due to menopause.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department does not hold data on National Health Service staff long-term sickness absence due to menopause.
While menopause may be recorded locally as a contributing factor to an absence episode, the information is not collected in a way that enables the production of reliable national figures for long-term sickness absence attributable to menopause.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS staff absences occur in the NHS due to menopause for what figures are available.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England does not publish official statistics on sickness absence due specifically to menopause because menopause is not recorded as a primary sickness absence reason within the national Electronic Staff Record (ESR) sickness absence statistics.
The ESR does, however, allow menopause to be recorded as a related reason for a sickness absence episode. For March 2026, National Health Service organisations in England recorded 1,764 full-time equivalent days lost where menopause was recorded as a related reason for sickness absence.
The figures should be interpreted with caution, as the menopause-related reason field is recorded locally and is not subject to the same level of validation as the data used in NHS England's official published sickness absence statistics.
Recording depends on local reporting practices, completion of the related reason field and staff disclosure, and is therefore likely to understate the true level of menopause-related sickness absence.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration has been undertaking to adopt British Standard BS 30416 on menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace standard - guide for NHS staff.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises the importance of supporting National Health Service staff experiencing menstruation, menstrual health conditions, and menopausal symptoms.
Many principles in British Standard 30416 are already reflected in NHS England guidance, learning resources, and support, which are kept under review in light of emerging evidence, stakeholder feedback, and good practice.
NHS England has signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge, reflecting its commitment to support employees experiencing menopause.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children are estimated to be living with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency and (b) Sussex.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed
The data requested is not held centrally. Children with developmental coordination disorder, commonly known as dyspraxia, access support through local National Health Service occupational therapy, paediatrics, physiotherapy, and educational services.
NHS guidance sets out a referral process which typically begins with a general practice, health visitor, or a special educational needs coordinator, who may refer the child to paediatric occupational therapy and physiotherapist for assessment and support. The guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia/
For the first time, we have set a target for systems to work to in order to reduce long waits for community health services. By 2028/29 at least 80% of community health services activity should take place within 18 weeks, bringing community health services in line with targets for elective care.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department has taken to support access to men's mental health services in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency and (b) Sussex.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed
We recognise that some men may find it difficult to seek help for their mental health, and Sussex has made this a priority within its suicide prevention and mental health strategies. This includes targeted work to improve early identification, reduce stigma, and increase engagement among men and boys. Access routes have been strengthened through:
- primary care and community-based entry points, where men are more likely to present;
- NHS Talking Therapies, offering timely access to evidence-based support;
- crisis alternatives to hospital admission, including urgent mental health helplines and safe havens; and
- workplace and community outreach approaches, designed to engage men who may not access traditional services.
In addition to National Health Service provision, Sussex works closely with voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, which play a key role in engaging men through peer support, wellbeing services, and targeted community-based interventions.
While data is not routinely reported by gender at a constituency level, system partners use available data and local insight to identify inequalities in access and outcomes, including for men, and to inform ongoing service improvement.
We are partnering with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative, to help tackle male suicide, as part of England's first Men's Health Strategy. This work, carried out with Samaritans, provides matchday support for fans in stadiums, as well as an online hub with information and referral details for fans and followers watching from home. The partnership will see football clubs actively promoting existing mental health and suicide prevention support, such as NHS Talking Therapies and Every Mind Matters, and where appropriate, making onward referrals to appropriate organisations like the NHS.
Overall, Sussex continues to develop a whole-system approach to mental health support, ensuring that services are accessible, responsive, and effective for all populations, including men.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
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 reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.
Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.
Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis and explore treatment options sooner.
Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.
NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.
Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.
NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
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 help reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in West Sussex.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.
Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.
Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis and explore treatment options sooner.
Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.
NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.
Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.
NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
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 reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in East Sussex.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.
Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.
Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis and explore treatment options sooner.
Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.
NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.
Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.
NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.