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 help ensure appropriate funding is allocated for (a) early diagnosis and (b) effective monitoring of foetal valproate spectrum disorder.

Everyone who has been harmed from sodium valproate has our deepest sympathies.

Early diagnosis and the effective monitoring of foetal valproate syndrome is being considered as part of NHS England’s commissioned Fetal Exposure to Medicine Pilot project. The pilot project is being led by the Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The pilot project started in December 2024 and will run for 18 months, and provides assessment, expert advice, and treatment planning for people impacted by sodium valproate and other anti-seizure medications. The pilot project will be presenting initial learning and key themes, including any additional investment requirements identified, to NHS England at the end of September to inform discussions about future service delivery models and options for wider coverage across England.

Commissioners will consider additional funding requests, alongside the need to maintain all existing services and other statutory funding duties.