theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of NHS staff will receive armed forces-specific training by (a) 2026 and (b) 2028. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The training and education programmes will be rolled out to all National Health Service organisations and for all NHS staff over the next two and a half years. The programmes will share best practice about how the NHS can identify and support patients with an Armed Forces background.

By the end of 2026, the target is for all board members of integrated care boards and Department national commissioning teams to have completed Armed Forces healthcare specific training. In addition, by the end of 2026, the ambition is for 200,000 NHS staff in England to have completed the training.

By 2028, the ambition is for 400,000 NHS staff to have completed Armed Forces healthcare specific training. Performance will be reviewed against ambitions regularly, and appropriate changes will be made to the programme so that uptake continually increases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will work with (a) autistic people, (b) their families and (c) experts to ensure that public health messaging on autism is (i) accurate, (ii) accessible and (iii) trustworthy. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department recognises the importance of providing the public with accurate health information and preventing misinformation. We are also committed to working with people with lived experience of autism to ensure that policies are designed to meet the needs of autistic people and makes their lives better.

The Department regularly rebuts factual inaccuracies when they appear in traditional media and undertakes extensive planning, engagement, and strategic work to ensure accurate public health information is available on social media channels to mitigate misinformation. In addition, the Department strives to ensure that the information it publishes is accurate, clear, and accessible to a variety of audiences, including using easy read versions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Mr Richard Quigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to publish its decision on the licensing of DCVax-L.. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an executive agency of the Department and regulates medicine, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the United Kingdom, with responsibility for ensuring that medicines meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.

Northwest Biotherapeutics has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the MHRA for DCVax®-L, an immunotherapy for glioblastoma. The MHRA are unable to comment on applications during the process of review, but the MHRA can confirm that this application is not affected by any backlogs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making methoxyflurane available to all hysteroscopy patients. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are best made by the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for that part of the patient’s care. Prescribers are supported in their decisions by national guidance, for example guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards (ICBs).

NICE is the independent body responsible for translating evidence into authoritative, evidence-based guidance for the health and care system on best practice, in order to drive improved outcomes for patients. NICE has made recommendations on hysteroscopy in its guideline on heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management, reference code NG88, but does not make recommendations on whether pain relief, such as methoxyflurane, should be administered during hysteroscopy. NICE currently has no plans to update the guideline but it will be reviewed if there is new evidence that is likely to change the recommendations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Kerry McCarthy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of trends in NHS dental costs and average wages in England. \p Stephen Kinnock: No direct assessment has been made, however any decision to uplift dental patient charges is accompanied by an equalities impact assessment and informed by patient demographic data from the NHS Annual Dental Statistics and the GP Patient Survey NHS dentistry questions, with further information on both available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202425

https://gp-patient.co.uk/surveysandreports

The National Health Service dental patient charge is a contribution to the cost of the NHS dental treatment the patient receives. Free NHS dental care is available to people who meet the following criteria:

Support is also available through the NHS Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for exemption or full remission of dental patient charges. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing dairy-free alternatives as part of the Nursery Milk Scheme. \p Ashley Dalton: Plant-based drinks are currently not covered by the legislation on the Nursery Milk Scheme, which only allows reimbursement to be made for cow’s milk and infant formula based on cow’s milk.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and the Committee on Toxicity published an assessment on plant-based drinks in July 2025. This assessment made a number of recommendations to the Government and industry about plant-based drinks which may be considered suitable for children in terms of fortification and sweetening.

The Government does not currently have plans to provide dairy-free alternatives as part of the Nursery Milk Scheme. However, the Department is considering the Committee’s recommendations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) review and (b) update the guidance entitled Children and young people’s continuing care national framework, published on 22 January 2016. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Framework for Children and Young People’s Continuing Care, published by the then Department of Health, now the Department of Health and Social Care, in January 2016 is intended to support good practice locally, providing guidance for integrated care boards (ICBs) and local authorities on the process for assessing, deciding, and agreeing packages of care for children and young people.

There are currently no plans to review or update the Children and Young People's Continuing Care National Framework.

ICBs are responsible for the provision and commissioning of services to meet the needs of their local populations. NHS England supports ICBs to implement the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Continuing Care, and it has now started to collect Children and Young People’s Continuing Care activity data as part of the All-age Continuing Care Patient Level Dataset which launched on 1 April 2025, and which is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-sets/all-age-continuing-care-data-set/about-the-all-age-continuing-care-data-set
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NICE on (a) reviewing and (b) updating (i) clinical guidelines and (ii) guidance on diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes and Eating Disorders. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for determining whether its guidelines should be reviewed or updated in the light of new evidence. NICE takes a proactive approach to surveillance, monitoring for changes in the evidence base that may impact on its recommendations. Topics for new or updated guidance are considered through the NICE prioritisation process. Decisions as to whether NICE will create new, or update existing, guidance are overseen by a prioritisation board, chaired by NICE’s chief medical officer.

NICE’s guidelines on the diagnosis and management of type 1 diabetes in adults, with the reference code NG17, diabetes, including both type 1 and type 2, in children and young people, with the reference code NG18, and the recognition and treatment of eating disorders, with the reference code NG69, will be reviewed if there is new evidence that is likely to change the recommendations. NICE currently has no plans to update NG17, NG18, or NG69.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the cost to the NHS of providing healthcare to (a) asylum seekers and (b) refugees in the last financial year. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department and NHS England do not hold the information requested.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the goals for to older people's mental health services in the 10-Year Plan for the NHS are met in relation to (a) prevention, (b) early intervention, (c) access to community-based support and (d) in general. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to transform mental health services, including for older people, to improve access and treatment, and to promote good mental health and wellbeing for the nation. This includes improving early intervention and assertive outreach, investing in mental health emergency departments and neighbourhood mental health centres, and increasing access to talking therapies and evidence-based digital interventions.

The recently published Medium Term Planning Framework sets targets for integrated care boards to expand coverage of mental health support teams in schools and colleges, expand NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement Support schemes, and eliminate inappropriate out-of-area placements by 2029.

We are also committed to working beyond the health system to create an environment that promotes good mental health, prevents people from developing mental health problems, and improves the lives of people living with a mental health problem.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the total funding required for Start for Life services over the next Spending Review period; and of how much funding will be required to support (a) geographical and (b) age-range expansion. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of misophonia on the (a) social and (b) occupational outcomes of people diagnosed with that condition. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: We have made no such assessment, although it is recognised that misophonia can adversely affect a person’s ability to achieve life goals, communicate effectively, and enjoy social situations, and that this can have an impact on individuals’ mental health.

The National Health Service continues to support further expansion of talking therapies and the transformation of community mental health services so they can adopt an open, 'no wrong door' approach to helping people based upon their presenting needs rather than requiring a particular diagnosis. This is being built upon through the 10-Year Health Plan's commitment to roll out new 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres which will provide open door access to support without the need for a general practitioner referral or appointment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Henley and Thames of 10 October 2025 on Suicide Bereavement Support Services. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating restaurants in England to display their food hygiene rating. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure timely delivery of NHS letters to patients. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he will answer Question 85056 on Prostate Cancer: Medical Treatments, tabled on 26 October for named day response by 30 October. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the current average waiting time is for an (a) ADHD and (b) autism assessment in (i) Slough constituency and (ii) the South East. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of repealing S2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948 on NHS 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 10 years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.

As announced in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan for England, 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. No decisions on policy have been taken at this point. The Government will provide an update on the work done and next steps, in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS Blood and Transplant has made an assessment of the potential impact of the use of tanning injections more than (a) 12 months (b) three months prior to donating on blood safety. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The safety of blood is of the upmost importance. Patients that receive blood donations can be particularly vulnerable to infections. In the United Kingdom, the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 mandate permanent deferral from blood donation for anyone with a history of non-prescribed intravenous or intramuscular drug use. The Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 are available at the following link:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/50/schedule/part/3/paragraph/2n3

This includes those in receipt of tanning injections, for any period prior to donation. NHS Blood and Transplant has provided guidance on blood safety by the Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC). JPAC guidance reflects the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 in the Addiction and Drug Abuse guideline and the Blood Safety Entry guideline, which are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://transfusionguidelines.org/dsg/wb/guidelines/ad001-addiction-and-drug-abuse

https://www.transfusionguidelines.org/dsg/wb/guidelines/bl008-blood-safety-entry

Injections can carry a risk of blood-borne illness. To preserve the safety of patients who receive blood donations, measures are taken to reduce the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections, including cleanliness and safety standards. However, as tanning injections are not well regulated, measures that would normally be used to prevent blood-borne infection cannot be assessed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care,  whether he plans to introduce national waiting-time standards for ADHD and autism assessments for under-18s; and what progress NHS England has made in improving the (a) collection and (b) publication of data on waiting times for (i) ADHD and (ii) autism assessments. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends a maximum waiting time of 13 weeks between a referral for an autism assessment and a first appointment. There is no wait standard for referral for an autism assessment to receiving a diagnosis of autism, and NICE guidelines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and management do not recommend a maximum waiting time standard from referral for an assessment of ADHD to the assessment being provided.

NICE guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with stakeholders. They are not mandatory, but National Health Service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account in designing services to meet the needs of their local populations.

The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, was explicit that integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published.

NHS England publishes quarterly statistical data on waiting times within autism diagnostic pathways, which remain under constant review. This data is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/autism-statistics

For the first time, NHS England published management information on ADHD assessment waiting times at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and it has also released technical guidance to ICBs to improve the recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits and diagnosis data as well as publishing more localised data in future.

The most recent data, published in August 2025 and is available on the NHS England website, at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/august-2025

Data in this publication is sourced from a number of existing NHS England datasets, and the publication is known to contain a number of data quality issues, further details of which can be found at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/supporting-information
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Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason people who have used tanning injections are permanently unable to donate blood. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The safety of blood is of the upmost importance. Patients that receive blood donations can be particularly vulnerable to infections. In the United Kingdom, the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 mandate permanent deferral from blood donation for anyone with a history of non-prescribed intravenous or intramuscular drug use. The Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 are available at the following link:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/50/schedule/part/3/paragraph/2n3

This is also reflected in the Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) guidelines, the Addiction and Drug Abuse guideline and the Blood Safety Entry guideline, which are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://transfusionguidelines.org/dsg/wb/guidelines/ad001-addiction-and-drug-abuse

https://www.transfusionguidelines.org/dsg/wb/guidelines/bl008-blood-safety-entry

Injections can carry a risk of blood-borne illness. To preserve the safety of patients who receive blood donations, measures are taken to reduce the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections, including cleanliness and safety standards. However, as tanning injections are not well regulated, measures that would normally be used to prevent blood-borne infection cannot be assessed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

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Jodie Gosling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis following new MHRA-approved adrenaline delivery formats with different usability and stability characteristics. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Officials at the Department, in discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, are in the early stages of considering if potential amendments to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) 2012 are required to reflect the availability of new adrenaline delivery technologies.

No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis. However, should amendments to the HMRs be required, then the Government will conduct a public consultation to ensure that the views of stakeholders are carefully considered, prior to any changes being made.

If changes are made to the HMRs, all relevant guidance will be updated to reflect this change.
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Bobby Dean:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to integrate (a) Sleepio and (b) other digital cognitive behavioural therapy solutions for insomnia into (i) standard primary care pathways and (ii) NHS app services. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department does not currently have plans to integrate Sleepio or other Digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (dCBT-I) solutions into primary care pathways or National Health Service app services but is committed to exploring options to make digital tools, supporting people living with insomnia, nationally available.

NHS England is currently running an open process to secure equitable national access to dCBT-I and has recently published a Request For Information and questionnaire. This creates an opportunity for all suppliers in this market to engage in a fair and transparent commercial process.

There is an ongoing programme of work within NHS England, exploring the feasibility of integrating Digital Therapeutics into the NHS app. This is in the early phases and will form the foundations of the HealthStore App Marketplace, which is a commitment in our10-Year Health Plan. The store will explore options to support the availability of digital health technologies across multiple condition areas.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to ensure consistency in the quality and delivery of the Armed Forces training across all NHS trusts. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Armed Forces National Training and Education programme has been developed as a series of modules which will be delivered by a dedicated Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) trainer within each region. The Programme comprises a series of evidence-based modules that will be delivered through multiple channels, including face-to-face sessions facilitated by the team of Regional Trainers, national webinars, and e-learning packages. Plans are underway to develop a “Train the Trainer” module to support wider implementation and ensure consistency in both quality and delivery.

All module content is subject to quality assurance by the NHS Armed Forces National Team and the VCHA. The programme will undergo continuous evaluation, with updates and refinements made as appropriate.
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Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times to those seeking psychological therapy to support their employment efforts. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: It is unacceptable that some people are not receiving the mental health care they need. We are determined to change that. We have already taken significant steps to improve National Health Service mental health services, including hiring almost 7,000 extra mental health workers since July 2024, and thanks to an increase in NHS Talking Therapies, more adults with anxiety and depression are getting back into work.

We are continuing to roll out employment advisors in our talking therapies services to support people with common mental health conditions to seek and retain employment. These advisors help people who are in work but are struggling or facing difficulties in the workplace, for instance being off work sick or looking for work, so we can provide the right support at the right time.

We continue to meet the waiting time standard in place for NHS Talking Therapies services. The latest data from June 2025 shows 89.1% of people completing treatment waited less than six weeks for their first appointment against a target of 75%. And 98.6% of people completing treatment waited less than 18 weeks, against a target of 95%.
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Carolyn Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of different funding mechanisms that could be applied to new obesity treatments. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended in a NICE appraisal, usually within three months of final guidance.

NICE has recommended several weight loss medicines as a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources that are now being made available to NHS patients. The NHS is currently rolling out tirzepatide for obesity in primary care, using a phased approach based on clinical need to manage NHS resources. Around 220,000 individuals are expected to be eligible over the next three years. NHS England worked with clinical experts, 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, available 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/

Through the Obesity Healthcare Goals programme, launched in 2022, we are working with industry and research partners to develop and test new delivery and funding models. This includes the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP), which is piloting community-based and pharmacy-led provision of weight management services, alongside pharmaceutical and digital interventions. The programme is supported by up to £85 million in joint funding from Government and Eli Lilly, with a portion ring-fenced for devolved administrations. These pilots will generate evidence on clinical outcomes, patient experience, and economic sustainability to inform future commissioning decisions.

The Government remains firmly committed to tackling obesity as a major public health challenge, improving access to effective interventions, and reducing health inequalities across the country.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with NICE on updating update its Type 1 Diabetes guidance to incorporate screening for Type 1 Diabetes. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department has had no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on updating its guideline on type 1 diabetes. NICE is an independent body and is responsible for making decisions on whether its guidance should be updated in the light of new evidence.

NICE translates research into evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on best practice in the diagnosis and treatment of NHS patients, but it does not make recommendations on the use of screening programmes in its guidance. The Government is led by the advice of the UK National Screening Committee on all matters relating to targeted and population screening. A screening programme is only recommended where the evidence shows it will do more good than harm.
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Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve patient safety for people with learning disabilities. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Government is committed to advancing patient safety and fostering a learning culture across the National Health Service. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will usher in a new era of transparency, a rigorous focus on high-quality care for all and a renewed emphasis on patient and staff voice.

The Patient Safety Incident Reporting Framework (PSIRF) is a patient safety approach within the NHS covering all patient groups, including people with a learning disability. It sets standards for how organisations should meaningfully and compassionately engage with those affected by safety events and guides organisations on responding effectively for learning and improvement.

PSIRF emphasises the importance of considering inequalities when setting priorities and supports consideration of inequalities throughout the learning response process.

Where a person has a learning disability, integrated care boards can also utilise the findings from a Learning from Lives and Deaths Review to understand how services can be improved across their local system to reduce health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autistic people in their area.

Additionally, a range of wider action is being taken to improve patient safety for people with a learning disability and autistic people. This includes:
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_101

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who be unable to access NHS services after the move from analogue to digital. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The shift from analogue to digital services is not intended to entirely replace traditional access methods. Practices are required to maintain phone and in-person services for those who cannot or prefer not to use digital options.

NHS Online will give patients more choice in how and when patients access specialist care. Digital services will always be optional and only offered when it is clinically appropriate and works for the patient. We’re working closely with community and patient groups to ensure inclusion is built into every stage of development. The experience of patients and how they access, understand, and feel about their care is central to the design and delivery of NHS Online.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_102

Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to improve public awareness of the early signs of Type 1 diabetes. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Health Service has publicly accessible information on its website about the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms/

The DigiBete app, launched in June 2020, provides a wide range of clinically approved, age-appropriate resources to help with the self-management and awareness of type 1 diabetes, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.digibete.org/type-1-awareness/

It is the responsibility of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to provide guidance and quality standards for the treatment and care of diabetes in England. The NICE NG18 guideline for type 1 and 2 diabetes provides clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of children and young people.

NG18 recommends that children and young people with suspected type 1 diabetes are referred immediately, on the same day, to a multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes team with the competencies needed to confirm diagnosis and provide immediate care.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_103

Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the (a) signs and (b) symptoms of mouth cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns in England to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and to address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an earlier point.

NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including mouth cancer. This information can be found at sources like the NHS.UK website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_104

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will have discussions with (a) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and (b) NHS England on the applicability of current guidance to assist medical professionals to recognise type 1 diabetes in (i) babies (ii) toddlers (iii) children and (iv) adolescents at the point of care. \p Ashley Dalton: This is a matter for National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as the independent body responsible for providing guidance and quality standards on the treatment and care of diabetes in England. NICE has an established prioritisation process for the identification of priorities for guidance development.

NHS England has published a RightCare toolkit which sets out what good quality diabetes care looks like for children and young adults and includes guidance on timely and accurate diagnosis.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_105

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of revised cancer waiting time standards on patient outcomes. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department and NHS England regularly review performance against cancer waiting time standards to ensure that patients are diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.

NHS England publishes monthly data on the three cancer waiting time standards, which can be broken down to provider level and which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times.

As set out in the Government’s plan for reforming elective care, improving cancer waiting times remains a key national priority. The NHS 2025/26 Operational Planning Guidance includes commitments to improve performance against the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard to 80%, and the 62-day referral-to-treatment standard to 75% by March 2026.

These standards are designed to drive earlier diagnosis and faster access to treatment, which are directly linked to improved patient outcomes. By March 2026, it is expected that approximately 100,000 more people each year will be told whether they have cancer within 28 days, and 17,000 more people will begin treatment within two months of a referral.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_106

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many slaughterhouses were (a) suspended and (b) permanently closed due to breaches of animal welfare regulations in each calendar year from 2015 to 2025; how many (i) improvement notices, (ii) formal warnings, (iii) prosecutions and (iv) other enforcement actions were issued to slaughterhouses for animal welfare breaches in each of those years; and how many site inspections were carried out by the Food Standards Agency in each year over the same period. \p Ashley Dalton: In 2015, two slaughterhouses had approval withdrawn. In 2016, one slaughterhouse had approval withdrawn. In 2017, one slaughterhouse had approval withdrawn and two had approval suspended.

The reasons for the withdrawals and suspensions between 2015 and 2017 are no longer retained. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) retains approval documents of establishments for up to six years beyond their closure.

In 2020, one slaughterhouse had approval suspended for welfare concerns. In 2025, two slaughterhouses had approval withdrawn for non-compliances, which included welfare concerns.

The following table shows the number of formal warnings issued to business operators and plant operatives following investigation by the FSA into alleged animal welfare offences at approved slaughterhouses, from 2015 to 2024:

Year

Formal warning to business operator

Formal warning to plant operatives

2015

2

0

2016

1

1

2017

7

6

2018

3

2

2019

5

5

2020

1

0

2021

1

1

2022

1

0

2023

0

0

2024

0

0

In addition, the following table shows the number of prosecution cases and the number of business operators and plant operatives convicted following investigations undertaken by the FSA into alleged animal welfare offences at approved slaughterhouses, from 2015 to 2024:

Year

Prosecution cases

Business operators convicted

Plant operatives convicted

2015

0

0

0

2016

4

3

2

2017

2

2

0

2018

3

1

7

2019

1

1

4

2020

1

0

1

2021

3

1

6

2022

4

2

2

2023

4

3

8

2024

4

3

3

Improvement notices and other enforcement action over the 10 year period is included in open data published quarterly by the FSA, and available at the following link:

https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/92ee0c84-d680-400c-a560-94a3a1a100a6/animal-welfare-enforcement-non-compliance

The FSA has a presence at every site during processing hours. To complement the inspections carried out by official veterinarians and veterinary auditors, the Welfare Assurance Team carries out welfare-themed inspections across all operating plants in England and Wales. Similar to the veterinary auditors, the frequency of these inspections depends upon the previous inspection outcome. It is not possible to confirm how many site inspections were undertaken specifically on animal welfare grounds over this period.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_107

Stuart Andrew:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on cross-Government implementation of (a) proposals for a national evidence-based digital parenting offer and (b) other policies within the Best Start in Life strategy. \p Ashley Dalton: Giving all babies and children the best start in life is the foundation of the Opportunity Mission and the first step towards delivering the Government’s commitment to raise the healthiest generation of children ever.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and I have a shared ambition to ensure that every child has a happy, healthy start to life, regardless of background. We discuss the collective progress on delivering policies within the Best Start in Life Strategy through a range of forums, including Opportunity Mission Board meetings and during bilateral conversations.

Together, we recognise the critical role that high-quality, evidence-based parenting support plays in improving childhood outcomes. This includes supporting the Plan for Change target for a record 75% of five-year-olds to reach a good level of development by 2028. In line with this, we continue to discuss the progress made towards delivering a national digital parenting offer, as committed to in the Best Start in Life Strategy.

I look forward to continuing the close collaboration with my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education as we work together to deliver our shared ambitions.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_108

Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered implementing routine screening for Type 1 diabetes in children. \p Ashley Dalton: A National Institute for Healthcare Research funded the EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes, or ELSA, study, which is currently underway in England to explore the feasibility and benefits of screening for type 1 diabetes in children aged three to 13 years old.

The UK National Screening Committee, which advises ministers on all aspects of population and targeted screening, is aware of the ELSA study and looks forward to receiving the results of this study when the trial is complete.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_109

Stuart Andrew:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason Candidozyma auris was added to schedule 2 of the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations in April 2025;and if he will publish any public health risk assessments informing that decision. \p Ashley Dalton: Candidozyma, formerly Candida, auris is an emerging multi-drug resistant fungal pathogen. Candidozyma auris is becoming more widespread globally, can result in serious infections in vulnerable individuals, and has been associated with outbreaks in healthcare settings that have resulted in substantial service disruption. The addition of candidozyma auris to the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations as a notifiable organism under Schedule 2 enables the UK Health Security Agency to more closely monitor this pathogen and inform public health action to limit its spread within the United Kingdom.

The Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 Impact Assessment, a copy of which is attached, highlights that testing for candidozyma auris would be conducted within National Health Service and private laboratories. The burden on laboratories for additional testing is likely to be low, as testing is straightforward.

Additional document 1 (pdf, 339.5KB)

Additional document 1 (pdf, 339.5KB)