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 integration of NHS England functions into his Department on ring-fenced women's health funding being absorbed into wider NHS budgets; and what steps he is taking to mitigate that risk.

The integration of NHS England functions into the Department of Health and Social Care is intended to strengthen accountability and reduce duplication, supporting clearer ways of working across the health system.

The transformation does not involve reductions to frontline services, and no investment will be cut to the National Health Service frontline.

During this transformation, the Department will continue to evaluate impacts and work collaboratively to ensure continuity of care and to identify and minimise any risks to patient safety. The future Department will have a dedicated National Priority Director whose portfolio will include women’s health and maternity to ensure girls’ and women’s health is effectively prioritised.

The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, published on 15 April 2026, commits to new investments of around £2.5m and is supported by significant investment already committed through the NHS, public health and wider government programmes. This includes funding for gynaecology recovery and maternity estates which will deliver tangible improvements in the areas that matter most to women. The funding announced for the new policies in the Strategy will not be affected by the integration of NHS England functions into the Department.