Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
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 adequacy of dementia-specific training provided to primary care staff.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We want all health and care staff to have received the appropriate training to provide high quality care to people with dementia. Employers in the health system are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver appropriate treatment for patients.
The required training needs are set out in the Dementia Training Standards Framework, which is available at the following link:
https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/info-hub/dementia-2015-updated-2018/
There are a variety of resources available on the NHS England E-learning for Health platform, including a programme on dementia care, designed to enhance the training and education of the health and social care workforce
Our health system has struggled to support those with complex needs, including those with dementia. Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.
We will deliver the first ever Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.
The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans to increase funding for (a) respite care and (b) community-based support for unpaid carers.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need.
The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, which can include respite support for carers.
To help local authorities fulfil their duties, including to unpaid carers, the 2025 Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will consider ringfencing funding for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
We are committed to working with the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), community to identify and address barriers to research, with the ambition of supporting more research and capacity-building programmes. As part of our approach, together with the Medical Research Council (MRC), we are actively exploring next steps in ME/CFS research, as outlined in the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical interventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including ME/CFS. This funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including ME/CFS. We are also planning an NIHR and MRC hosted showcase event for post-acute infection conditions research, including ME/CFS and long COVID, in November to stimulate further research in this field.
We have previously discussed ringfenced funding with the ME/CFS community during the development of the Final Delivery Plan for ME/CFS, as well as at subsequent meetings and roundtables on ME/CFS and long COVID. However, this is not usual practice for research funders as applications in all areas should compete for the funding available to uphold transparency and accountability. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including ME/CFS. Our position is that welcoming applications on ME/CFS to all programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding and the type of research which can be funded.
There has been no specific comparative review on the level of funding for research into ME/CFS compared to other illnesses. The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through the NIHR, including on ME/CFS. Research funding is available, and applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
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 a strategic approach to biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
We are committed to working with the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), community to identify and address barriers to research, with the ambition of supporting more research and capacity-building programmes. As part of our approach, together with the Medical Research Council (MRC), we are actively exploring next steps in ME/CFS research, as outlined in the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical interventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including ME/CFS. This funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including ME/CFS. We are also planning an NIHR and MRC hosted showcase event for post-acute infection conditions research, including ME/CFS and long COVID, in November to stimulate further research in this field.
We have previously discussed ringfenced funding with the ME/CFS community during the development of the Final Delivery Plan for ME/CFS, as well as at subsequent meetings and roundtables on ME/CFS and long COVID. However, this is not usual practice for research funders as applications in all areas should compete for the funding available to uphold transparency and accountability. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including ME/CFS. Our position is that welcoming applications on ME/CFS to all programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding and the type of research which can be funded.
There has been no specific comparative review on the level of funding for research into ME/CFS compared to other illnesses. The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through the NIHR, including on ME/CFS. Research funding is available, and applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make a comparative review into the adequacy of the level of funding for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis compared to other illnesses.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
We are committed to working with the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), community to identify and address barriers to research, with the ambition of supporting more research and capacity-building programmes. As part of our approach, together with the Medical Research Council (MRC), we are actively exploring next steps in ME/CFS research, as outlined in the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical interventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including ME/CFS. This funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including ME/CFS. We are also planning an NIHR and MRC hosted showcase event for post-acute infection conditions research, including ME/CFS and long COVID, in November to stimulate further research in this field.
We have previously discussed ringfenced funding with the ME/CFS community during the development of the Final Delivery Plan for ME/CFS, as well as at subsequent meetings and roundtables on ME/CFS and long COVID. However, this is not usual practice for research funders as applications in all areas should compete for the funding available to uphold transparency and accountability. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including ME/CFS. Our position is that welcoming applications on ME/CFS to all programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding and the type of research which can be funded.
There has been no specific comparative review on the level of funding for research into ME/CFS compared to other illnesses. The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through the NIHR, including on ME/CFS. Research funding is available, and applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
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 prevent patients from being treated in (a) corridors, (b) converted office spaces, (c) gyms and (d) other places not designed for treatment ahead of winter 2025-26.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are doing everything we can as fast as we can to consign corridor care to the history books. The Government is determined to get the National Health Service back on its feet, so patients can be treated with dignity.
Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, set out the steps we are taking to ensure that patients will receive better, faster, and more appropriate emergency care this winter, backed by a total of nearly £450 million of funding. This includes a commitment to publish data on the prevalence of corridor care.
We have been taking key steps to ensure the health service is prepared for the colder months. This includes taking actions to try and reduce demand pressure on accident and emergency departments, increasing vaccination rates, and offering health checks to the most vulnerable, as well as stress-testing integrated care board and trust winter plans to confirm they are able to meet demand and support patient flow.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
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 there will be sufficient (a) GPs, (b) hospitals and (c) other healthcare facilities for the potential new town in Adlington, Cheshire East.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning health care services within their regions. This includes ensuring service providers are able to meet the reasonable needs of their patient population. Where necessary, ICBs can commission local enhanced services which can vary in scope and funding, to fit the needs of the patient population.
We recognise the challenges facing areas of significant housing and population growth and the pressure that this can place upon local health infrastructure, including primary care.
Local planning authorities are responsible for negotiating and agreeing developer contributions to support necessary associated infrastructure when new housing developments are built, including GP practices and primary care provision.
The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to determine how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS England on the effectiveness of its procedures for ensuring that (a) formal governance processes and (b) approved plans and programmes cannot be undermined by NHS senior leaders.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular meetings with NHS England to discuss the effectiveness of procedures to hold healthcare leaders accountable for delivering on the Government’s priorities.
There are clear expectations for National Health Service senior leaders, aligned with the NHS Leadership Compact, the Fit and Proper Person Test Framework, and the Nolan Principles. NHS England addresses concerns about poor behaviours through established human resources and governance channels.
On 21 July 2025, we set out plans to regulate NHS managers via a statutory barring system. We will take forward legislative changes so that the Health and Care Professions Council can operate a barring mechanism for NHS board-level managers and their direct reports within this Parliament.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
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 with (a) the World Health Organization and (b) other regional health partners to establish medical corridors for the treatment of critically ill children from Gaza.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Members to My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s Written Statement to the House on 1 September 2025, available at the following link:
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-09-01/hcws899
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered introducing temporary (a) medical visas and (b) emergency sponsorship routes for critically ill children from Gaza requiring urgent medical treatment in the UK.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Members to My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s Written Statement to the House on 1 September 2025, available at the following link:
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-09-01/hcws899