theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a new (a) strategy and (b) framework to replace the UK Rare Diseases Framework. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Rare Diseases Framework was published following the National Conversation on Rare Diseases, which received nearly 6,300 responses. This helped identify the four priorities of the framework in tackling rare diseases, which are: helping patients get a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs.

The Government remains committed to improving the lives of those living with rare conditions and will be publishing the next England Rare Diseases Action Plan for rare disease day in 2026, as in previous years. We recognise that despite the progress that has been made there remains considerable unmet need for people living with rare conditions. We are carefully considering the future of the UK Rare Disease Framework and will be announcing our intentions at a later date.
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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on the phased implementation period for access to hybrid closed-loop technology for people with type 1 diabetes. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England has developed a five-year national strategy with guidance to National Health Service providers on the phased uptake approach of hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems. Rollout started in April 2024 with pregnant women, children, young people, those planning to become pregnant, and adults already using pumps who want to transition to an HCL system.

So far under the strategy, over 600 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes have been provided with an HCL.
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Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timeline is for the data collection, evaluation and interim decision for the in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy. \p Ashley Dalton: On all aspects of population and targeted screening, Ministers are advised by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC).

The UK NSC recommended an in-service evaluation (ISE) of newborn blood spot screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in National Health Services in 2023. Since then, the SMA Newborn Screening ISE Partnership Board was set up to plan and develop work to shape the ISE, and progress is being made. This includes planning the duration of the ISE and planning for newborn laboratories to screen blood spot samples for SMA. The laboratories in England that will form part of the ISE are under consideration by the SMA partnership board led by NHS England. The researchers and the National Institute for Health and Research (NIHR) will be responsible for determining the number of babies and services that will be required to answer the research questions.

Earlier in the year, the NIHR published their Health Technology Assessment research brief to appoint researchers for this work. Applications closed at the end of September 2025, and final funding decisions are expected in spring 2026. A decision on the shape and roll out of the ISE will be made after the research call process has concluded.

A recommendation by the UK NSC on newborn screening for SMA is expected following the conclusion of an ISE, which is needed to answer several outstanding questions related to the implementation of a screening programme for SMA.
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Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a screening programme for group B Streptococcus in pregnant women. \p Ashley Dalton: On all aspects of population and targeted screening, Ministers are advised by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC).

The UK NSC last reviewed the evidence to screen for group B streptococcus (GBS) at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy in 2017 and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the benefits of screening would outweigh the harms.

This was because the test currently available cannot accurately distinguish between those mothers whose babies are at risk and those who are not.

This means that many women would unnecessarily be offered antibiotics during labour, with the balance of harms and benefits from this approach being unknown.

The National Institute for Health Research funded a large-scale clinical trial to compare universal screening for GBS against the usual risk factor-based strategy.

Recruitment to the trial ended in March 2024 and a report is expected in early 2026. The UK NSC Secretariat is in contact with the researchers. The UK NSC will review its recommendation considering the evidence from the trial, after the report is presented.
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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 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year-olds’ health and children’s services in communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days.

The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children and their families and delivering on Neighbourhood Health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationships.

Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children and their families.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to ensure continued funding for Start for Life (a) infant feeding support, (b) parent–infant relationships, (c) perinatal mental health care and (d) other services. \p Ashley Dalton: The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days.

The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships.

Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.
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Jen Craft:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps (a) his department and (b) its sponsored bodies are taking to (i) develop and (ii) utilise Artificial Intelligence approaches to British Sign Language. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department and its sponsored bodies are not currently taking steps to develop or use artificial intelligence approaches to British Sign Language. However, the Department is aware of products that are being developed in this space and at pace. As and when developed and approved for use, the Department would welcome proposals for their assessment for use in the National Health Service based on the cost effectiveness and service and quality improvement.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support people with ME in Lincolnshire. \p Ashley Dalton: The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Service is a specialist service which provides assessment and advice on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), management strategies.

This service is available to adults and children. The ME/CFS service team consists of a wide range of skilled staff, including consultant clinical psychologists, assistant psychologists, specialist occupational therapists, and rehabilitation staff.

At a national level, the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan, which the Department published in July, includes an action for the Department and NHS England to explore whether a specialised service should be prescribed by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for very severe ME/CFS. Officials from the Department have commenced discussions with NHS England on how best to take forward this action.

NHS England has also started its work on co-designing resources for systems to improve services for mild and moderate ME/CFS. It will meet a group of key stakeholders to progress this in the coming weeks.
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Bambos Charalambous:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Department is taking to improve early identification and monitoring of precursor conditions for blood cancer, such as MGUS and smoldering myeloma. \p Ashley Dalton: It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose blood cancer and precursor conditions as quickly as possible and to treat them faster, to improve outcomes.

To improve diagnoses of blood cancers and precursor conditions, the NHS is implementing non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, ensuring more patients benefit from quicker access to the right investigations.

The Government will get the NHS diagnosing blood cancers earlier and treating them faster, and will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment, including for magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.

The National Cancer Plan, which will be published in the new year, will include further details on how the NHS will improve outcomes for all cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.
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Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of corn allergies; whether he plans to include corn on the list of major allergens emphasised on food labels; and what steps he is taking to ensure that people with rare but clinically significant allergies can safely identify allergens in packaged foods and when eating out. \p Ashley Dalton: There are a large number of potential food ingredients that may cause allergic reactions in sensitised individuals. The current 14 regulated allergens are recognised as the most common and potent allergens of public health concern across Europe. They must be clearly identified on prepacked foods and communicated effectively when eating out.

Available evidence, though limited, suggests corn allergy remains rare in the United Kingdom, with no indication of an increasing trend, and it is not part of the current list of regulated allergens.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) ensures that labelling requirements enable consumers to make informed choices about all ingredients, including corn.

Food businesses must provide clear and accessible allergen information. For prepacked and prepacked for direct sale foods, this means naming the food and listing all ingredients so consumers can identify allergens before purchase. For non-prepacked foods, such as meals served in restaurants or cafés, the FSA’s Best Practice Guidance, published March 2025, recommends written information supported with a clear conversation with customers about their allergy requirements. Businesses should keep accurate ingredient records and inform consumers if they cannot confirm allergen content. Consumers should declare their allergies when ordering food to help businesses take appropriate steps and reduce risk.

At present, the FSA has no plans to amend the list of 14 allergens. It continues to monitor trends through research projects, including National Health Service data analysis and the Patterns and Prevalence of Adult Food Allergy study, and works with the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology and other stakeholders to gather evidence on hidden and emerging allergens.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his department is making on its target to reduce the time taken for cancer diagnoses. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department is supporting the National Health Service to meet the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), for 75% of patients to be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days of being referred urgently by their general practitioner for suspected cancer. NHS England collects and publishes monthly FDS performance data nationally and for individual cancer groups.

To achieve the FDS, NHS England rolled out public awareness campaigns of cancer signs and symptoms, streamlined referral routes for different cancer types, and is increasing the availability of diagnostic capacity through the roll-out of more community diagnostic centres.

NHS England has also achieved full roll out of non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with vague and non-site-specific symptoms which do not clearly align to a tumour type.

Between October 2024 and September 2025, approximately 193,000 more patients got a cancer diagnosis or the all-clear on time than in the year from July 2023 to June 2024.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many men between the age of 40 and 50 have been diagnosed with Prostrate cancer in England in each of the last 3 years. \p Ashley Dalton: Data on the number of prostate cancer diagnoses is publicly accessible, and the most recently published data is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2023  The three most recently published years of data are 2021, 2022, and 2023. The number of men between the ages of 40 to 49 years old diagnosed with prostate cancer in each of those years is 401, 558, and 624 respectively.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria his Department uses to measure the success of (a) vaccination and (b) immunisation programmes; and what assessment he has made of the (i) maternity, (ii) neonatal and (iii) adult rsv programmes against this criteria. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published quality criteria for an effective immunisation programme in June 2025 which includes accessibility of clinics, communication, training, and storage. A copy of the quality criteria is attached. These criteria are for National Health Service organisations and local health systems to use. In addition, the NICE guideline NG218 also covers the vaccine uptake recommendation and audit processes, and is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng218/chapter/Recommendations

For respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine uptake, key performance indicators are included in the NHS public health functions agreement published by the Department on 4 June 2025, and available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-commissioning-in-the-nhs-2025-to-2026/nhs-public-health-functions-agreement-2025-to-2026

The maternal and older adult RSV programmes were introduced on 1 September 2024. Pregnant women are eligible from 28 weeks, as are older adults who are turning 75 years old, and a catch-up is available for those who were aged 75 to 79 years old at programme launch. The UKHSA monitors vaccine coverage in the maternal programme for infant protection as well as the older adults programme, with further information on both available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-maternal-vaccination-coverage-in-england

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-older-adults-vaccination-coverage-in-england

In the most recent monthly reports, 53.7% of June births were protected by antenatal vaccination, and 65.7% of older adults in catch-up cohorts had been vaccinated, an increase of 0.9% from the previous month.

The RSV selective immunisation programme for high risk and very preterm infants, using long-acting monoclonal antibodies, began in September 2025 and no coverage assessment has been made.

Additional Document (pdf, 1923.8KB)
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Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of research published on 3rd November 2025 by Langley S et al in the European Urology Oncology Journal; and if he will ensure that this is considered as part of the UK National Screening Committee’s review. \p Ashley Dalton: The article Targeted Prostate Health Checks, a Novel Screening System to Identify Men at Risk of Prostate Cancer: Real-world Evidence from More than 18 000 Prostate-specific Antigen Tests was published after the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) completed its formal modelling report as part of its evidence review into prostate cancer screening. The UK NSC Secretariat has read the report and discussed it with the Chair of the committee in relation to the prostate cancer screening recommendation.
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Fleur Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his department has made of the potential merits of a national rollout of community diagnostic centres to improve access to primary care services for people with pancreatic cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department remains committed to improving access to cancer diagnostic services and treatment, including for harder to diagnose tumour types such as pancreatic cancer.

The Government’s continued investment in community diagnostic centres (CDCs) enables the National Health Service to now deliver additional checks, tests, and scans at 170 CDCs, all of which deliver services 12 hours a day, seven days a week. This will enable the NHS to diagnose cancer faster and ensure that cancer patients, including those with pancreatic cancer, have timely access to primary care services.
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Bambos Charalambous:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to introduce a data-driven system to (a) identify and (b) address disparities in the early diagnosis of cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department remains committed to making improvements across different cancer types and to reducing disparities in cancer survival. Early cancer diagnosis is also a specific priority within the National Health Service’s wider Core20Plus5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities.

The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) in NHS England is the cancer registry for England and collects data on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. The data collected captures a patient’s complete journey from referral, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, experience, and survival. The data collected is used to inform trends and monitor and detect changes in health and disease in the population, including disparities in diagnosis. NDRS’s strategic priorities focus on making data more timely and accessible, and better understanding health inequalities.

Furthermore, the National Cancer Plan, to be published in the new year, will include further details on how we will use data to improve outcomes for cancer patients in England, including by driving earlier diagnosis and reducing the gap in early diagnosis between those living in the richest and poorest areas.
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards are implementing NICE guidance on intermediate care for patients experiencing homelessness. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department recognises the importance of ensuring that people experiencing homelessness have access to appropriate intermediate care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guideline NG214 on integrated health and social care for people experiencing homelessness sets out clear expectations for services to be accessible and tailored to the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng214/chapter/Recommendations#intermediate-care

The intermediate care framework, published in 2023, stipulates that intermediate care services should be available to all eligible individuals, including those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The intermediate care framework is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/intermediate-care-framework-for-rehabilitation-reablement-and-recovery-following-hospital-discharge/

Guidance on discharging people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, published in 2024, further states that specialist and bespoke homeless intermediate care services should be developed in response to needs and should be integrated so that ‘mainstream’ and ‘specialist’ services work seamlessly together. The guidance on discharging people at risk of or experiencing homelessness is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness

The Better Care Fund supports local systems to integrate health, housing, and social care in ways that deliver person-centred care. One of the conditions is that Health and Wellbeing Boards are required to submit plans showing projected demand and planned capacity for intermediate care services with due regard to the need to reduce inequalities in access to and outcomes achieved by National Health Services.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients have been recruited into studies of personalised cancer vaccines as part of the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform set up to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines and speed up access to mRNA personalised cancer vaccine clinical trials for cancer patients. The 10-Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, commits to delivering 10,000 cancer vaccines to patients in clinical trials over this Parliament. To date, 350 patients have been recruited through the CVLP into a personalised vaccine clinical trial. These patients have then undergone further screening as part of the trial to assess their eligibility for the cancer vaccine.
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Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of designating group B Streptococcus as a notifiable disease. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) does not recommend adding Group B Streptococcus as a notifiable disease. Existing national surveillance effectively captures Group B Streptococcus infections, monitors trends, and informs antibiotic prescribing policy. The UKHSA has assessed that mandatory notification for Group B Streptococcus would provide no additional public health benefit beyond this.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of expanding the eligibility criteria for patients to take part in the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform set up to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines. After an assessment by the CVLP delivery group in May 2025, it was agreed to expand the eligibility of the CVLP to support cancer vaccines and immunotherapy clinical trials that require molecular or genomic testing. This expansion in scope means that more patients will have access to the benefits associated with CVLP trials. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic, so any companies who are developing cancer vaccines or targeted immunotherapies can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the rare disease framework. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Rare Diseases Framework was published following the National Conversation on Rare Diseases, which received nearly 6,300 responses. This helped identify the four priorities of the framework in tackling rare diseases: helping patients get a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs. We have commissioned a portfolio level evaluation of England’s rare diseases action plans with input from the rare disease community on the design of metrics, which is due to complete in 2026.

The Government remains committed to improving the lives of those living with rare conditions and will be publishing the next England Rare Diseases Action Plan for rare disease day in 2026, as in previous years. We recognise that despite the progress that has been made there remains considerable unmet need for people living with rare conditions. We are carefully considering the future of the UK Rare Disease Framework and will be announcing our intentions at a later date.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle obesity in children. \p Ashley Dalton: It is shocking that the latest data from the National Child Measurement Programme showed the highest prevalence of obesity seen in reception age children in England since the programme began, excluding the 2020/21 pandemic peak.

We recognise that prevention is almost always better, and cheaper, than a cure. As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will take decisive action on the childhood obesity crisis, easing the strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.

We are also restricting junk food advertising targeted at children, banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 years of age, and ensuring the Soft Drinks Industry Levy remains fit for purpose. We are working closely with the Department for Education to update school food standards. To support families, we are expanding free school meals to all children with a parent in receipt of universal credit. The Healthy Start scheme, which aims to support those in greatest need, will have the value of its weekly payments uplifted by 10% from April 2026, boosting the ability to buy healthy food for those families who need it most.

In a world first, we will introduce mandatory healthy food sales reporting for large food businesses. We will set new targets to increase the healthiness of sales.

Our current promotion and advertising restrictions on less healthy food and drinks use the 2004/05 Nutrient Profile Model to determine which foods are ‘less healthy’. This is plainly out of date. We intend to update the standards applied to these restrictions and will consult on implementation in 2026.

We are also working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to develop their cross-Government Food Strategy, which will work to provide healthier, more easily accessible food to help both adults and children live longer, healthier lives.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to respond to Question 77307 on Cancer: Health Services, tabled on 15 September 2025. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2025 to Question 77307.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average A&E wait time in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency was in each of the last five years. \p Karin Smyth: The Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency has a Type 3 Accident and Emergency (A&E), the Princess of Wales Hospital, in Ely. A&E data is not published at hospital level for this hospital.

The Princess of Wales Hospital is part of the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB). NHS England publishes performance data by acute trust and ICB and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2025-26/
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Digital, Data and Technology roles at the NHS Business Services Authority filled by overseas recruits since January 2023 were advertised on the (a) NHS Jobs website and (b) Civil Service Jobs portal prior to appointment. \p Karin Smyth: Since January 2023, a total of 68 staff were recruited from overseas into Digital, Data and Technology roles, sponsored by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) on a visa.

The Digital, Data and Technology roles at the NHS BSA that were filled by overseas recruits since January 2023 were advertised on the NHS Jobs website, rather than the Civil Service Jobs portal, prior to appointment.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) testing and (b) support in hospitals for victims of spiking. \p Karin Smyth: The requested data is not collected centrally. NHS England does not routinely collect hospital admissions data specifically related to spiking, nor the number of tests conducted explicitly labelled as being for spiking in hospitals.

The Home Office has published public guidance for victims and witnesses of spiking, and a statutory report setting out measures to tackle spiking including training for door staff, research into testing, and coordinated policing. The guidance signposts victims to emergency medical care, police reporting, and victim support services. This information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/spiking-advice-and-support
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Steve Barclay:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the costs of the Employment Rights Bill to the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: No estimate of costs has been made of the Employment Rights Bill to the National Health Service. NHS terms and conditions of service currently provide employees with entitlements above the statutory minimum requirements, reflecting the sector’s commitment to supporting its workforce and maintaining high standards of employment practice.

The changes to the Employment Rights Bill are designed to enhance protections for employees, proving greater job security and clarity around employment terms. The Government’s commitment to deliver reforms to improve working conditions and promote fair treatment in the workplace is set out by the Plan to Make Work Pay. Good, well paid work will mean a healthier and happier workforce which in turn eases pressure on the NHS.

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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Steve Barclay:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the annual NHS total workforce growth (a) was annually from 2022/23 onwards and (b) is projected to be over the next three years. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England publishes monthly Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) workforce statistics for England. These include staff employed by hospital trusts and integrated care boards but excludes staff working for other providers such as in primary care or social care. This data is drawn from the Electronic Staff Record, the human resources system for the National Health Service, and is available at the following link:

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

The most recent published workforce data can be found within the July 2025, which includes selected preliminary statistics for August 2025, section of the publication, within the file Preliminary - NHS HCHS Workforce Statistics, Trusts and core organisations – data tables, August 2025. Within this file, a time series of the total full time equivalent (FTE) and headcount staffing levels for NHS trusts and organisations across England can be found in worksheet 1.

In the new year, we will publish a 10 Year Workforce plan, which will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_290

Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the target number of virtual wards is in the NHS across England. \p Karin Smyth: In October 2025, there were 12,588 virtual ward beds across England, with 10,049 being occupied by patients.

Whilst there is currently no specific national target for the number of virtual ward beds, the NHS England 2025/26 operational planning guidance includes a priority to improve access to care services at home or in the community, including virtual wards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_291

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the early flu season on corridor care, hospital capacity and patient outcomes. \p Karin Smyth: We continue to monitor the impact of flu and the performance of hospitals over the winter months.

The Department is continuing to take key steps to ensure the health service is prepared for the colder months. This includes taking actions to try and reduce demand pressure on accident and emergency, increasing vaccination rates, and offering health checks to the most vulnerable, as well as stress-testing integrated care boards and trust winter plans to ensure that they are able to meet demand and ensure patient flow.

Flu is a recurring pressure that the National Health Service faces every winter. There is particular risk of severe illness for older people, the very young, pregnant people, and those with certain underlying health conditions. The flu vaccine remains the best form of defense against influenza, particularly for the most vulnerable, and continues to be highly effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalisation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_292

Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the early flu season on (a) corridor care, (b) hospital capacity and (c) patient outcomes. \p Karin Smyth: We continue to monitor the impact of flu and the performance of hospitals over the winter months.

The Department is continuing to take key steps to ensure the health service is prepared for the colder months. This includes taking actions to try and reduce demand pressure on accident and emergency, increasing vaccination rates, and offering health checks to the most vulnerable, as well as stress-testing integrated care boards and trust winter plans to ensure that they are able to meet demand and ensure patient flow.

Flu is a recurring pressure that the National Health Service faces every winter. There is particular risk of severe illness for older people, the very young, pregnant people, and those with certain underlying health conditions. The flu vaccine remains the best form of defense against influenza, particularly for the most vulnerable, and continues to be highly effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalisation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_293

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to increase research funding for pulmonary fibrosis. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds clinical, public health, and social care research and works in partnership with the National Health Service, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR welcomes applications for research on any aspect of human health and care, including pulmonary fibrosis. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Since April 2020, the NIHR has spent £4.8 million on research projects and programmes relating to pulmonary fibrosis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_294

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement to dispose of unused specialist invalid food products as medical waste on level of food waste. \p Karin Smyth: Through the implementation of the NHS Clinical Waste Strategy and the National Standards for Healthcare Food and Drink, NHS England is actively working to reduce both clinical and food waste across the system.

The Clinical Waste Strategy promotes appropriate waste segregation and treatment to minimise unnecessary incineration and environmental harm. Meanwhile, the food standards encourage healthcare providers to reduce food waste through improved planning, monitoring, and sustainable practices. It is widely accepted that any medication that is provided via clinical provision should be disposed of as offensive waste. Any unused food products that are still in their packaging can be disposed of through the agreed food waste system.

NHS England continues to monitor the implementation of these strategies and welcomes further evidence or insights that could inform future assessments or policy development in this area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_295

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many instances of (a) suicide and (b) suicide attempts on NHS property have been reported in (i) England and (ii) Romford constituency in every year since 2010. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The information requested is not held centrally.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_296

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 negotiating regulatory alignment with the European Medicines Agency. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department continuously monitors the medicine regulations of our international partners, including the European Union, to determine whether to adopt similar regulations, whilst protecting the safety and competitive advantage of the United Kingdom.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency works closely with a range of international regulatory authorities, including the European Medicines Agency, through several international regulatory groups such as the International Council for Harmonisation, the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities, and the International Medical Device Regulators Forum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_297

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to reduce instances of (a) suicide and (b) self-harm. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes transforming mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres, improving assertive outreach, expanding talking therapies, and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.

The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, published in 2023, identifies eight priority groups for targeted and tailored support at a national level, including people who have self-harmed. The strategy also identifies key risk factors for suicide, providing an opportunity for effective early intervention.

NHS England published Staying safe from suicide: Best practice guidance for safety assessment, formulation and management to support the Government’s work to reduce suicide and improve mental health services. The guidance requires all mental health practitioners to align their practice to the latest evidence in suicide prevention, and can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/staying-safe-from-suicide

The NHS England Medium Term Planning Framework states that in 2026/27, all integrated care boards must ensure mental health practitioners across all providers undertake training and deliver care in line with the Staying safe from suicide guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_298

Catherine West:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the transition from analogue to digital across NHS services in Hornsey and Friern Barnet constituency. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The analogue to digital shift across National Health Services in Hornsey and Friern Barnet involves national initiatives like upgrading IT systems, developing integrated care systems, and utilizing digital tools for patient care.

Our goal is to make NHS healthcare more convenient, personalized, and efficient, creating a seamless experience for patients that is inclusive and accessible for all, and that provides staff with better access to information.