theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published 3 July 2025, how the planned multi-neighbourhood providers covering large geographical areas will improve local continuity of healthcare. \p Stephen Kinnock: The 10 Year Health Plan sets out our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service that moves care closer to home. The Neighbourhood Health Service will embody our new preventative principle that care should happen as locally as it can, digitally by default, in a patient’s home if possible, in a neighbourhood health centre when needed, and only in a hospital if necessary.

We will bring together teams of professionals closer to people’s home, including nurses, doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, health visitors, and more, to work together to provide comprehensive care in the community and improve local continuity of healthcare. We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that meets the needs of local populations.

Multi-neighbourhood providers will facilitate the development of neighbourhood teams, improving access for local populations and supporting the continuity of care for patients in a Neighbourhood Health Service. These providers will cover populations of approximately 250,000 people, to unlock the advantages and efficiencies possible from greater scale, working across all general practices and small neighbourhood providers in their footprint. The introduction of the Single Patient Record will support this way of working, giving neighbourhood clinicians secure access to a patient’s medical records to ensure seamless care across services.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Health Minister on the importance of focusing on early intervention in eating disorders in Scotland. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Close collaboration between the devolved governments is important and takes place on a regular basis. Although no recent specific discussions have taken place with the Scottish Health Minister on this topic, we acknowledge that specialist expertise and facilities are shared between the four nations to combat eating disorders.

The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery, and is committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase access to care in the community in South Holland and the Deepings constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is committed to embedding “Home First” as a principle in adult social care and health policy, ensuring care is delivered in the least restrictive setting. The National Care Service and the Neighbourhood Health Service will play a critical role in helping people stay independent for longer.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will work towards a Neighbourhood Health Service, with more care delivered locally to create healthier communities, spot problems earlier, and integrate health into the social fabric of places.

Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs as set out in the Care Act 2014. The funding made available to North Lincolnshire in 2025/26 means that they will see an increase to their core spending power of up to £12.5 million compared to 2024/25.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands sold their homes to pay for care costs in the most recent year for which data is available. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department does not hold this data.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason he plans to reduce the allocation of NHS funding for mental health services in 2025-26. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: We are determined to transform NHS mental health services, with a shift to prevention and earlier intervention. Spending on mental health support will increase relative to 2024/25 and is forecast to amount to £15.6 billion in 2025/26. That is an increase of £688 million in cash terms.

All integrated care boards are expected to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard (MHIS) in 2025/26 by increasing their investment in mental health services in line with their overall increase in funding for the year.

Mental health’s share of total National Health Service spend has fallen slightly by 0.07% in 2025/26 as a result of increased investment in other areas, for example in bringing down waiting lists for elective operations and additional investment in general practice. While elective and GP investment is not included in mental health funding, mental wellbeing is a biopsychosocial phenomenon and this funding is also likely to impact positively on mental health outcomes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of NHS tie-in periods for newly qualified dentists on access to NHS dental service. \p Stephen Kinnock: It costs £200,000 of taxpayer’s money to train a dentist. We believe it is right and fair to taxpayers to expect graduate dentists to invest their skills and expertise in the National Health Service for at least some amount of time.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will make it a requirement for newly qualified dentists to practice in the NHS for a minimum period. That will mean more NHS dentists, more NHS appointments and better oral health. We intend this minimum period to be at least three years.

We will be working closely with the sector on the detail of the tie-in scheme and will consult on the detail and design of the model in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of Designated Prescribing Practitioners for all foundation pharmacists starting their training in 2025. \p Stephen Kinnock: Every foundation trainee pharmacist that has graduated against the 2021 standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists will require a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP), a healthcare professional with independent prescribing rights, for example, a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, during their foundation training period to support the supervision and assessment of prescribing activities.

Under the terms of the Foundation Trainee Pharmacists National Recruitment Scheme, training providers are required to ensure that the trainee will have access to a DPP. Providers are also required to submit details of the DPP to NHS England once the trainee pharmacist commences in post. Trainee pharmacists in England start their foundation training in the 2025/26 year in two windows: 14 July 2025 to 4 August 2025, summer; and 20 October 2025 to 10 November 2025, autumn.

To support the development of DPP capacity, NHS England continues to engage with training providers and invest in training for independent prescribers. From September 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be independent prescribers on the day of their registration, which will expand future availability of healthcare professionals who are qualified to become a DPP.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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David Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered including lipedema as a relevant condition for NHS prescription of (a) Mounjaro injections and (b) other weight loss treatments. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Semaglutide, brand name Wegovy, tirzepatide, brand name Mounjaro, and liraglutide, brand name Saxenda, are approved for the management of obesity. They are recommended as cost-effective for use on the National Health Service for people who have a body mass index (BMI) over a certain threshold, and one or more weight-related comorbidities.

The marketing authorisations for tirzepatide and other weight loss medicines do not include an exhaustive list of qualifying comorbidities, and it is for the prescriber to apply their clinical judgement in determining whether a patient meets the eligibility criteria.

The exact causes of lipoedema are not clear, and the NHS.UK website states that it’s not caused by being overweight, and that it is a separate condition to obesity.

The NHS is currently rolling out tirzepatide in primary care, using a phased approach based on clinical need. Approximately 220,000 individuals are expected to be eligible over the next three years. NHS England worked with clinical experts, NHS integrated care boards, patient and public representatives, healthcare professionals, charities, and royal colleges on its prioritisation approach, which it set out in its interim commissioning guidance, at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/interim-commissioning-guidance-implementation-of-the-nice-technology-appraisal-ta1026-and-the-nice-funding-variation-for-tirzepatide-mounjaro-for-the-management-of-obesity/

At the current time, patients will be eligible for treatment in primary care if they have a BMI of at least forty, and four or more out of five ‘qualifying' conditions. The qualifying conditions for tirzepatide treatment are cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the prescription of Fampridine as a treatment for MS. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Ministers and departmental officials have regular discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on a range of issues, including in relation to its guidelines.

NICE’s guideline on the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis in adults, published in June 2022, recommends that fampridine should not be offered to treat mobility issues in people with multiple sclerosis as it is not found to be a cost-effective treatment.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to create a standardised pathway for the genetic testing of people with motor neurone disease. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS). Testing is directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which sets out the eligibility criteria for patients to access testing.

Genomic testing for adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder is included in the Test Directory under specific clinical scenarios including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the most common type of motor neurone disease. The Test Directory is routinely reviewed to ensure that genomic testing continues to be available for all patients for whom it would be of clinical benefit, while delivering value for money for the NHS. The directory and associated supporting material are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directory-supporting-material/

The strategic and systematic embedding of genomic medicine in end-to-end clinical pathways and clinical specialities is supported by a network of seven regional NHS GMS Alliances, which play an important role in achieving equitable access to standardised end-to-end pathways of care, including genomic testing, clinical genetics and genetic counselling services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Tom Gordon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has conducted an impact assessment of the effect of the abolition of Healthwatch on (a) patient representation, (b) accountability and (c) local authority scrutiny functions. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The abolition of Healthwatch England, the transfer of its functions and the changes to local Healthwatch require primary legislation. Timing of this is subject to the will of parliament and will happen when parliamentary time allows. A full impact assessment would be produced in line with HM Treasury's Green Book standards and published on the Government website when legislation is introduced in Parliament. No assessment has been made at this time, although the expertise of Dr Dash and her critical review of patient safiety will continue to guide the Government’s policy in this regard.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to introduce a right for every adult patient to have a named advocate or support person with them throughout their hospital stay. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: We recognise the vital role that families, loved ones, advocates and carers play in supporting people to manage their health. There are rights in place to protect those most vulnerable. The Mental Health Act and the Care Act both outline the rights of individuals to appoint an advocate to support them during their care.

Both outpatients and day patients can invite someone to join them at their hospital appointment, such as a carer, family member or friend.

At present, the Department has not made plans to introduce a right for every adult patient to have a named advocate or support person with them throughout the duration of their inpatient stay in hospital.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Integrated Care Boards to facilitate the return of used (a) wheelchairs and (b) other medical equipment. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: In October 2024, the Department published the Design for Life roadmap, a new strategy to transition away from all avoidable single-use medical technology (MedTech) products towards a functioning circular system by 2045. This includes improving systems that enable the return of mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, and many other types of MedTech.

The Design for Life Roadmap is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679ca015a9ee53687470a2ed/design-for-life-roadmap.pdf

This was developed in discussion with a collaborative of more than 80 stakeholders from the UK MedTech industry, the health family, and academia, with wide support across the sector. Moving forward, the Department will continue to engage with the expanding collaborative, including with integrated care boards, to design and implement the systems that facilitate greater levels of return of used MedTech.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Tom Gordon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take to ensure that (a) the views of patients and (b) patient engagement are independently provided to (a) his Department, (b) the NHS, and (c) local authorities after Healthwatch's abolition. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Dr Dash’s review of patient safety across the health and care landscape was published in July 2025. The review recommends bringing together the work of local Healthwatch organisations, and the engagement functions of integrated care boards and providers, to ensure patient and wider community input into the planning and design of services.

In addition, as also recommended by the review, we are amalgamating the functions of Healthwatch England to a new directorate. Its strategic functions will be transferred to the new directorate for patient experience in NHS England, transferring, in due course, to the new structures in the Department. This directorate will be responsible for overseeing the collection of more informed feedback from both patients, service users and carers and significantly improving the complaints function across the National Health Service.

These changes will improve quality, including safety, by making it clear where responsibility and accountability sit at all levels of the system, and making it easier for staff, patients and users to directly feed into the system to improve quality of care. We believe that patients and users will have a stronger voice once it is heard inside the system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to commission research on (a) essential tremor and (b) other neurological movement disorders. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department delivers research into neurological movement disorders via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). For example, the NIHR is funding the first James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership on essential tremor, which will bring together clinicians and families to understand the current unmet needs in the management and care of this group of patients and the challenges of living with essential tremor.

The NIHR is also funding a phase III trial, investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of rivastigmine patches in preventing falls for people with Parkinson’s disease. This approach is complemented by the STEPS II trial, which will determine if daily use of functional electrical stimulation improves walking speed in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Whilst there is no current funding call specifically for neurological movement disorders, the NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care and topics proposals can be submitted via the NIHR website at the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on neurological movement disorders to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the total cost to the public purse is for (a) clinical negligence and (b) other claims against the National Health Service in England paid out by NHS Resolution in the (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25 financial year, broken down by speciality. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.

The attached tables show the total payments for clinical negligence claims and non-clinical negligence claims between 2023/24 and 2024/25, broken down by year and primary specialty. NHS Resolution has included all specialties as listed in the published Annual Reports and Accounts.

It has also suppressed low figures given the sensitive and confidential nature of the information held. In some instances, with the low numbers of claims, namely fewer than five, in each category, the likelihood exists that individuals who are the subject of this information may be identified either from this information alone, or in combination with other available information.

PQ74730 Attachment  (pdf, 227.1KB)
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commission an (a) independent and (b) peer reviewed study of the accuracy of AI in healthcare settings. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Health Service operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI), underpinned by rigorous standards established by numerous bodies including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Health Research Authority, and Care Quality Commission. These agencies ensure that AI technologies are safe, effective, and ethically deployed within healthcare settings.

There are protocols in place to ensure that AI tools used in healthcare settings are accurate and effective. NICE, for example, routinely evaluates medical technologies, including innovative AI-enabled technologies, which are assessed in NICE’s Early Value Assessment programme for those technologies that are most needed and in-demand. This work is independent and rigorous, and reflects the high standards of our health regulators.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on creating the world’s most (a) advanced, (b) secure and (c) AI-ready health data platform. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: On 7 April 2025, the Prime Minister announced that the Government and the Wellcome Trust will invest up to £600 million to create a new Health Data Research Service (HDRS), co-designed through engagement with the public and patients, data users and stakeholder organisations.

Significant progress has been made since then towards the creation of HDRS, as highlighted in the recent NHS England blog post from the senior officials responsible for the programme, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/health-data-research-service-unlocking-the-potential-of-health-and-care-data-to-transform-lives/

Key achievements to date include: job adverts going live for CEO and Chair; stakeholder engagement forums established; and coordinated commitments in three major Government strategy publications, namely the Industrial Strategy, 10-Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan.

Over the coming months, we will establish the independent organisation that will run HDRS and complete detailed discovery work. In autumn 2025, we will publish comprehensive policy principles developed with leading experts across healthcare, research, patients, ethics and data protection. Our first services will launch by the end of 2026, with core capabilities rolling out progressively.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential cyber security implications of his policy to make the NHS the most artificial intelligence enabled care system in the world, as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan for England. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan commit the Government to making the National Health Service become the most artificial intelligence (AI)-ready healthcare system in the world.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will review regulations, and in 2026 we will publish a new regulatory framework for medical devices, including AI. This will create faster and more predictable routes to market, taking a proportionate approach to risk.

To mitigate the likelihood and severity of any potential harm to individuals arising from use of data in AI, the Information Commissioner’s Office has developed detailed AI guidance which provides an overarching view of data protection, including Data Protection Impact Assessments and United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulations. It has also produced an AI toolkit to support organisations auditing compliance of their AI-based technologies.

On cyber security more widely, in the past year we have invested £37.6 million across health and social care, building on the £338 million invested since 2017. Through our ambitious Cyber Improvement Programme, we are tackling the changing cyber risk head-on, expanding protection and services to better protect the health and care system.

Through the Data Security and Protection Toolkit, there are already robust cyber standards which all NHS organisations are expected to meet. These standards will apply to the deployment of artificial intelligence capabilities, as with any other new technology. These standards will continue to evolve in line with the threat over the next ten years.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to expand the medical evacuation of Gazan children scheme. \p Ashley Dalton: I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Statement HCWS899 made to the House on 1 September 2025 by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many instances of clinical negligence in which NHS Resolution paid damages there were in each clinical speciality in the (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 financial year. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.

The attached tables show the number of clinical negligence claims where at least one payment has been incurred between 2023/24 and 2024/25, broken down by year and primary specialty. Payments cover damages, claimant costs, and defence costs, while low figures have been supressed to protect claimant identity.

PQ74731 Document (pdf, 226.4KB)
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility for free prescriptions to people with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: There are no plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.

There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with Schwachmann Diamond Syndrome may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme, which provides help based on a comparison between a person’s income and requirements.

People who need to pay and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as needed for a set cost. An annual PPC costs £114.50 and will save money if they need 12 or more items in 12 months. To help spread the cost, people can pay for an annual PPC by ten monthly direct debits, which works out as just over £2 per week. A three-month PPC for £32.05 is also available.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the importance of (a) early intervention and (b) prevention before the cure in eating disorder treatment. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery. We are committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.

As part of our mission to build an NHS fit for the future, there is a critical need to shift treatment of eating disorders from hospital to the community. NHS England is currently seeking to expand the capacity of children’s community eating disorder services, to allow for crisis care and intensive home treatment. Improved care in the community will give young people early access to evidence-based treatment involving families and carers, improving outcomes and preventing relapse. By preventing eating disorders from progressing to adulthood, we will build on our aim of raising the healthiest generation of children.

Early intervention is a priority for adults with eating disorders too, as set out in NHS’s Adult Community Mental Health Framework. NHS England have established 15 Provider Collaboratives focusing on adult eating disorders. These Collaboratives are working to redesign care pathways, and focus resources on community services. By providing treatment earlier and closer to home, we will see better outcomes for adults with eating disorders and their families.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the provision of long-term (a) mental health and (b) trauma-informed support for (i) adult survivors of child sexual abuse and (ii) adult survivors of child sexual abuse who disclose as an adult. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Protecting and supporting child and adult victims and survivors of sexual abuse is a core priority for NHS England, delivered through a network of 48 specialist sexual assault referral centres across the country.

NHS England has established local pathfinder projects for enhanced trauma-informed mental health support for sexual abuse victims and survivors with the most complex needs. There is now dedicated enhanced mental health support in five of the seven commissioning regions.

NHS England is currently working in partnership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the National Network of Designated Healthcare Professionals to refresh the paediatric elements of the current specification that sets out what care should be provided to survivors, alongside a parallel review of the adult specification. This will ensure both pathways deliver consistent, high-quality support and equitable access to services for all survivors, regardless of age.

Furthermore, NHS Talking Therapies offer psychological and talking therapies approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, for adults in England with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Individuals experiencing these conditions, including victims of sexual violence and rape, can access these therapies via their general practitioner, or by self-referring to their local NHS Talking Therapies service. Details on how to do so are available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of Mounjaro (a) prescribing and (b) medication management services his Department plans to carry out digitally. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: There are not currently any specific targets for the proportions of prescribing and medication management activity of tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro, including monitoring, follow-up, and review for tirzepatide that will be carried out digitally.

The National Health Service is in the process of making tirzepatide available for weight management in primary care, including developing and testing new models of care, like community-based services and digital technologies. NHS England is working with the Office for Life Sciences and other partners to develop digitally enabled care pathways, supported by behavioural interventions, with patient safety and clinical oversight at their core. These innovative pathways are being designed to bring together remote prescribing, personalised behavioural support, and ongoing clinical supervision, allowing patients to access high-quality care in a way that is convenient and tailored to their individual needs.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to fund research into treatments for psychosis. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department of Health and Social Care, through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), commissions a range of research into treatments for psychosis.

For example, the NIHR is currently funding a £2.6 million clinical trial of Feeling Safe, a cognitive behavioural therapy programme designed to treat persecutory delusions. Additionally, the NIHR is funding a £3 million study investigating the treatment of antipsychotic induced weight gain, and a £1 million study that aims to develop a more tailored approach to Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) treatment, which will inform national commissioning of EIP services.

The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including research into treatments for psychosis.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_125

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting lists for psychiatric diagnoses in Greater Manchester. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Nationally, the Government is investing an extra £688 million this year to transform mental health services.

We are also delivering on our commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers for children and adults by the end of this Parliament. We are more than halfway towards this target, which will help to ease pressure on busy mental health services.

Responsibility for commissioning of mental health services sits with integrated care boards (ICBs). It is the role of local ICBs to consider what mental health services are needed for their populations and include the perspectives of healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups and local authorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_126

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department funds research on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, has awarded £133 million into obesity research grants over the last five years. It has awarded £78 million into research grants exploring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the last five years.
wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_127

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the number of full-time psychiatrists in the NHS (a) nationally and (b) in Chichester constituency. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

However, we know that the NHS has been facing workforce shortages for a number of years. While there has been growth in the mental health workforce over recent years, more is needed. That is why, as part of our mission to build an NHS that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government is recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers, including psychiatrists, by the end of this Parliament. We are more than halfway towards this target, which will help to ease pressure on busy mental health services.
wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_128

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to ensure adequate availability of mental health support services for (a) children and (b) young adults. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: We are investing an extra £688 million this year to transform mental health services by hiring more staff, delivering more early interventions, and getting waiting lists down.

We have confirmed that we will fulfil our commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 staff across child and young people and adult mental health services by the end of the Parliament, and 6,700 of these extra workers have been recruited since July 2024.

We also want to intervene much earlier to support better outcomes for children and young people. That is why the 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will work with schools and colleges to better identify and meet children's and young people’s mental health needs by expanding mental health support teams in schools and colleges to cover 100% of pupils by 2029/30 and by embedding mental health support in the new Young Futures hubs, to ensure there is no 'wrong front door' for young people seeking help.

Additionally, we are continuing to provide top-up funding of £7 million to 24 existing early support hubs, to expand their services and to take part in an ongoing evaluation of these services in 2025/26. This funding will enable the supported hubs to deliver at least 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions, so that more children and young people are supported.
wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_129

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress he has made in addressing increasing clinical negligence costs. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last ten years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.

As announced in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan, David Lock KC will be providing expert policy advice on the rising legal costs and how we can improve patients’ experience of clinical negligence claims, ahead of a review by the Department in the autumn. The results of David Lock’s work will inform future policy making in this area.
wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_130

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 47877 on NHS dental professionals, what criteria his Department uses to identify which areas are in greatest need of increased numbers of NHS dental professionals. \p Stephen Kinnock: The responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of local populations is delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England.

ICBs have started to recruit posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. Dental practices in specific areas, determined locally as experiencing significant dental pressures due to workforce challenges impacting patient access, were invited by their ICBs to express interest in participating in the scheme and notified of the outcome of their application via their ICB. Further information on the dental recruitment process can be found in guidance issued by NHS England, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/dental-recruitment-incentive-scheme-2024-25/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_131

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing funding for dementia care services in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: 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 Modern Service Framework for frailty and dementia 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 standard operating procedures of the Surrey Heath Older Adults Mental Health Services, which includes memory clinics, have been reviewed and found to meet the requirements of facilitating appropriate referral routes and service inclusion criteria. Improvement work is also in progress to enhance dementia training and access to specialist support for staff on the Surrey and Borders Partnership National Health Service Foundation Trust’s older adult mental health ward dealing with dementia at the Meadows Unit.
wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_132

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doctors’ strikes on the measures in his 10 Year Health Plan. \p Karin Smyth: Whilst the Department has not made a specific assessment, there is data which demonstrates the number of appointments rescheduled because of strike action. This is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/08/nhs-publishes-strike-impact-data-following-a-record-june-for-treatments/

Any resident doctor strike action will undeniably have a damaging effect on patient safety, hospital care, and some of the measures in the 10-Year Health Plan. Strikes are in nobody’s interest and ongoing action puts additional pressure on the National Health Service and staff who continue to work hard to keep services running and provide much needed care to the public.
wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_133

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which areas he plans to designate as integrated health organisations in 2026; and what criteria he will use to identify those areas. \p Karin Smyth: As outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, National Health Service foundation trusts that have shown an ability to meet core standards, improve population health, form partnerships with others, and remain financially sustainable over time will be eligible for designation as integrated health organisations (IHOs).

We expect to designate a small number of IHOs in 2026 following a rigorous authorisation process. The process and criteria for assessment are currently in development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_134

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his department has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) delays of over 12 months for diagnoses to secure medication and (b) temporary inability to work until that medication is secured on (i) the economy and (ii) the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: We have not made such an assessment on the impact of delays to diagnoses to secure medication or on the impact of patients waiting for medication being out of work.

It is a priority of the Government to bring down National Health Service waiting lists. As set out in the Plan for Change, we are committed to returning to the NHS constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment by March 2029. Where clinically appropriate, treatment will include medication.

Most patients will require one or more diagnostic test as part of their care. While most patients will receive a diagnostic test within weeks, there remain too many patients waiting in excess of six weeks. In June 2025, the period of the latest published data, 21.3% of patients waiting for a diagnostic test had been waiting for six weeks or more.

One of the reasons it is so important we focus on bringing down waiting lists for patients to receive treatment they need, including medication, is to allow them to continue with their day-to-day activities and employment. The Joint Work and Health Directorate is collaborating with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to improve the evidence on the relationship between health and labour market outcomes.

The ONS plans to link NHS waiting times data, to which they recently acquired access, to Census, Department for Work and Pensions Benefits and HM Revenue and Customs Pay As You Earn records to analyse the relationship between waiting time duration, for various health conditions and procedures, and labour market outcomes such as employment status, gross pay and benefit receipt in England. ONS will confirm in due course when related analysis will be made available.