Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in which year the NHS created a Hospital Episode Statistic Code for rectopexy mesh.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are a curated data product containing details about admissions, outpatient appointments and historical accident and emergency attendances at National Health Service hospitals in England. This includes data on rectopexy procedures.
Since 1 April 2020, rectopexy mesh procedures can be identified in the HES data product through a combination of codes. There are two codes that relate to rectopexy procedures, but will not specifically be limited to rectopexy using mesh:
There are four codes that specifically classify where mesh has been used in a procedure and should be used in addition to the above codes, which have been mandates since 1 April 2020. The combination of these two codes allows for the identification of where a rectopexy procedure has used mesh:
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence plans to publish updated guidance on the eight types of hernia mesh.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Topics for new or updated guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are considered through the NICE prioritisation process. Decisions as to whether NICE will create new, or update existing, guidance are overseen by an integrated, cross-organisational prioritisation board, chaired by NICE’s Chief Medical Officer. NICE’s prioritisation board is considering the use of hernia mesh in the treatment of ventral and inguinal hernias as a potential topic for guidance, and a decision will be taken in due course.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the outcome was of the MHRA rectopexy review.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
At the end of 2024, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) completed its’ first stage review into the use of mesh in rectopexy procedures, which involved a comprehensive review of the mesh products available in Great Britian’s market, and a patient survey which was conducted in October 2024. As part of the review, the agency conducted a thorough evaluation of manufacturer data, including assessing what products are indicated for rectopexy or may be used for this purpose. Evaluation of the literature was undertaken to understand the range of mesh products used for rectopexy procedures, and this noted that the range of mesh used in patients were wider than those ‘indicated’ by manufacturers.
The survey identified that a small majority of patients experienced worsening symptoms after their rectopexy procedure, usually within the first-year post-surgery. The survey also indicated that there was relatively low awareness of the Yellow Card adverse incident reporting scheme among responders.
In December 2024 the MHRA presented a series of recommendations to the Interim Devices Work Group (IDWG) to address the issues identified in the review. These recommendations were endorsed by the group as documented in the meeting minutes, which are available at the following link:
The MHRA is currently working to implement the recommendations agreed by the IDWG. These recommendations include, for example, exploring what broader work can be conducted across the regulatory and healthcare environment and with manufacturers to address the off-label use of mesh products and the associated risks to patient safety. This project will also involve engagement with patient and healthcare stakeholder groups to bring about greater awareness of the issues. The MHRA expects the engagement to begin in spring 2026. There is also work currently ongoing in parallel, which will aid in addressing the recommendations. This includes the application of the new Post-market Surveillance Regulations for medical devices placed in Great Britian’s market, which came into force on the 16 June 2025 and enhances both the manufacturers' and the MHRA’s capacity to detect and monitor safety issues.
The MHRA continues to work with colleagues from across the health sector and international regulators, to monitor and examine evidence as it becomes available. The MHRA is committed to helping address the serious concerns raised by patients who have experienced complications and will take further action as appropriate to protect public health.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 August 2025 to Question 65738 on Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder, if he will make interim payments to valproate families following the end of the pilot project.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS England-commissioned Fetal Exposure to Medicine Pilot project covers assessment, expert advice, and treatment planning for people impacted by sodium valproate and other anti-seizure medications.
On the question of interim payments to valproate families, the Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, including a recommendation for a two-stage financial redress scheme, comprising of an interim scheme and a main scheme.
This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments, including the Cabinet Office. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if there is a Hospital Episode Statistics code used to record instances of mesh used for rectopexy.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The latest National Clinical Coding Standards, code OPCS-4 2025, which are used in the Hospital Episode Statistics dataset to capture procedure information, includes four codes for use where a procedure concerns the insertion or removal of a mesh. These should be combined with other treatment codes to indicate where a mesh was used for a procedure, including for rectopexy procedures. The following table shows the relevant procedures and their coding:
Procedure | Procedure code | |
Rectopexy, abdominal posterior resection | Without mesh | H35.3 H10.- (if the sigmoid is resected) |
With mesh | H35.2 Y28.1-Y28.4 H10.- (if the sigmoid is resected) | |
Rectopexy, ventral mesh, which may also be described as anteior rectopexy with mesh or VMR | Open | H35.5 Y28.1-Y28.4 |
Laparoscopic | H35.5 Y75.- Y28.1-Y28.4 | |
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) VAT rates and (b) other fiscal measures on the relative pricing of (i) alcohol-free and (ii) alcoholic drinks.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Alcohol-free drinks are already tax advantaged compared to alcoholic drinks because they do not attract alcohol duty, which is charged only on products containing 1.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more. This reflects the Government’s intentions to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
Soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are subject to the standard 20 per cent rate of VAT. Further information about the VAT treatment of soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-products-and-vat-notice-70114
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. The Government welcomes representations from relevant stakeholders in advance of the Budget.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered the potential merits of (a) tax and (b) subsidy incentives in reducing the cost of alcohol-free drinks.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Alcohol-free drinks are already tax advantaged compared to alcoholic drinks because they do not attract alcohol duty, which is charged only on products containing 1.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more. This reflects the Government’s intentions to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
Soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are subject to the standard 20 per cent rate of VAT. Further information about the VAT treatment of soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-products-and-vat-notice-70114
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. The Government welcomes representations from relevant stakeholders in advance of the Budget.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of for what reason alcohol-free drinks are priced (a) comparably to and (b) higher than alcoholic equivalents.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner
Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of food supply matters. However, it is not for the Government to set retail food and drink prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has held discussions with (a) retailers and (b) producers on the pricing of alcohol-free drinks.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner
Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of food supply matters. However, it is not for the Government to set retail food and drink prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses.
Asked by: Sharon Hodgson (Labour - Washington and Gateshead South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has had discussions with industry stakeholders on the pricing strategies of (a) alcohol-free drinks and (b) alcoholic beverages.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption through exploring options to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol intake by substituting standard strength drinks with no- and low-alcohol alternatives. One of the first steps will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, aligning with international standards, to support the growth of the sector and provide clarity to consumers and producers.
At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.
Manufacturers, retailers, and industry stakeholders have a key role to play in working with the Government to improve the health of the nation. Ministers and officials regularly engage with these groups when developing policy.