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 (a) awareness, (b) diagnosis and (c) clinical understanding of Bertolotti Syndrome within the NHS; and whether he plans to update NHS training materials or clinical guidelines to include reference to the (i) Jenkins LSTV classification system and (ii) other up-to-date approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are committed to giving people with long-term conditions, such as Bertolotti syndrome, the support that they need, including referral to specialist services as appropriate.

While there are no current plans to update National Health Service training materials or clinical guidelines to include reference to the Jenkins LSTV classification system, we would expect all spinal surgeons in England to be aware of Bertolotti syndrome and possible treatment options. Decision making about the risks and benefits of a treatment option is a matter of clinical judgement and shared decision-making with the patient.

Healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring that their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date, and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development.

Our recently published 10 Year Health Plan presents a significant opportunity to revolutionise care for people with conditions like Bertolotti syndrome by shifting from hospital-centric care to community-based and preventative approaches to manage or reduce symptoms, alongside digital advancements. The plan focuses on earlier intervention, improved access to care, and better integration of services to address the challenges faced by individuals with long-term conditions like Bertolotti syndrome.

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 (a) address the funding disparity and (b) provide additional financial support for Pendleside Hospice in Burnley.

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

Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing National Health Services. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between integrated care board (ICB) areas. This will vary depending on demand in that ICB area, but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provision from both NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. Pendleside Hospice in Burnley received £95,256 from the first £25 million tranche of this funding in 2024/25. It will receive £285,768 from the second £75 million tranche of funding in 2025/26.

The Government and the NHS will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative and end of life care services to ensure that the future state of services reduces variation in access and quality, although some variation may be appropriate to reflect both innovation and the needs of local populations.

Representative Jamie Raskin

Found: Labour; Ealing North) Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat; Richmond Park) Michael Payne (Labour; Gedling) Oliver Ryan

Found: Members present: Mr Clive Betts (Chair); Sarah Hall; Lloyd Hatton; Sarah Olney; Michael Payne; Oliver Ryan

Found: ) 26 of 51 (51.0%) Michael Payne (Labour, Gedling) (added 28 Oct 2024) 8 of 51 (15.7%) Oliver Ryan

Found: Labour; Ealing North) Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat; Richmond Park) Michael Payne (Labour; Gedling) Oliver Ryan

Found: Charters; Rachel Gilmour; Sarah Green; Lloyd Hatton; Chris Kane; Sarah Olney; Michael Payne; Oliver Ryan

Found: NC45 Mrs Elsie Blundell Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington 53 REPORT STAGE Wednesday 10 September 2025 Oliver Ryan

Found: _NC45 Mrs Elsie Blundell Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington Oliver Ryan Jess Asato Jayne Kirkham Gareth SnellBecky

Found: Not called_NC45 Mrs Elsie Blundell Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington Oliver Ryan Jess Asato Jayne Kirkham

Found: Tuesday 9 September 2025 _NC45 Mrs Elsie Blundell Kirith Entwistle Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington Oliver Ryan

Found: Tuesday 9 September 2025 _NC45 Mrs Elsie Blundell Kirith Entwistle Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington Oliver Ryan