theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will undertake a further consultation on the material for the financial education curriculum in advance of the publishing of the revised curriculum in 2027. \p Georgia Gould: On 5 November, the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review published its final report which includes recommendations for a refreshed curriculum and assessment system in England.

As part of the response to the Review’s report the government has made a commitment to strengthen pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, with digital resources to support teaching. From budgeting to understanding credit, through our revised curriculum all children will learn about the fundamentals of money, ensuring every pupil develops the skills needed to succeed in the modern world.

The department will engage with sector experts and young people in working out how best to reflect this in the updated curriculum. There will be public consultation on the updated curriculum programmes of study, to seek views on the content before they are finalised.
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Kerry McCarthy:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to send information to home educating parents on the registration measures within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. \p Josh MacAlister: Following the Bill’s attainment of Royal Assent, the department intends to make regulations and publish statutory guidance outlining how local authorities must publicise the registers and the duties of parents in relation to the registers.

We will consult on the guidance ahead of implementation, so home educating parents can share their views on how they would like to receive information on the registration measures.
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Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to ensure that that fossil fuel companies fund the costs of climate recovery in the UK. \p Michael Shanks: My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the reforms announced in the Department for Education's press release entitled Schools to cut bills with Great British Energy solar panels, published on 17 November 2025, what is the definition of home grown in the context of imported components for solar panels. \p Michael Shanks: ‘Homegrown’ ‘power refers to schools generating their own electricity from solar panel installations on their own buildings. Panels themselves are procured with support from Crown Commercial Services under strict controls and may include components sourced outside the UK. All contracts issued under this schools and solar initiative comply with UK procurement rules.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress has been made on identifying a location for a geological disposal facility for generational storage of nuclear waste. \p Michael Shanks: A process is underway to identify a suitable site for a geological disposal facility (GDF) in England and Wales. Two areas are currently participating, both in West Cumberland, and site suitability investigations and community engagement activities are well underway in both of these areas. The siting process is consent-based, requiring both a willing host community and suitable geology.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on the carbon capture and storage project at St Fergus. \p Michael Shanks: The government has announced its support for Acorn and is providing the development funding to advance its delivery. A final investment decision will be taken later this Parliament, subject to project readiness and affordability.

Since the Spending Review, we have worked closely with Acorn to understand what they need to keep them progressing towards FID and are confident we can continue collaborating on that.

We have also established a ministerial led forum, where government, regulators and industry representatives come together on a regular basis to drive forward momentum for the Scottish cluster.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent conversations he has with the Treasury regarding the return of the £2.3 billion investment reserve of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. \p Chris McDonald: The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent conversations he has had with Treasury about the potential impact of the return of the £2.3 billion investment reserve of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme on the economy. \p Chris McDonald: As at 30 October 2024, there were 39,251 members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme. Any transfer of the reserve would be used to enhance member benefits.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to provide clarity to the trustees of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme on the possibilities of return of the £2.3 billion investment reserve of the British Coal superannuation scheme back to its members. \p Chris McDonald: The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for the development and rollout of low‑cost, low‑carbon mine water geothermal heating systems in Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: Whilst building energy efficiency policy is devolved to the Scottish Government, I recognise the potential of low carbon technologies, including geothermal, to help us achieve net zero at the lowest cost. The UK Government is working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure our respective net zero strategies align.

Moreover the Mining Remediation Authority, which works with a range of partners across Great Britain, has released ‘opportunity maps’, to inform the potential for mine water heat applications:

Mine water heat - GOV.UK
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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly, all staff that join, do so on an assignment, loan or secondment from other Government bodies, principally the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government, who remain the employers.

The Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government provide extensive domestic abuse guidance and support for employees and their managers.
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Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to discuss concerns about the former legal firm WW&J McClure Ltd with the Law Society of Scotland and Police Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Secretary of State is aware that the closure of WW & J McClure Limited has caused anguish and worry to many of its clients, and hopes the matter can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. As crime and justice are devolved in Scotland, it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to discuss this matter with the Law Society of Scotland as the regulator and Police Scotland as the investigating authority.

I am aware however that the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Legal Ombudsman have been responding to the implications for clients in England and Wales of the firm’s closure.
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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to strengthen the Mental Health Investment Standard. \p Stephen Kinnock: We remain committed to the Mental Health Investment Standard. All integrated care boards (ICBs) met the Standard for 2023/24 meaning that their investment in mental health services increased in line with their overall increase in funding for the year.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, will set out expectations for mental health funding, including share of overall National Health Service expenditure in 2025/26, in due course, as required under section 3(2) of the Health and Care Act 2022. NHS England is also expected to confirm allocations of financial resources for 2025/26 to ICBs and issue its priorities and operational planning guidance for the NHS for 2025/26 shortly.

As part of our discussions on mental health funding, the Department and NHS England have taken into consideration the ability of ICBs to meet Mental Health Investment Standard requirements, the role that it has played in delivering the Government’s priorities for mental health services and the progress made in achieving greater parity between mental and physical health services and reducing mental health inequalities.

Ministers and officials hold discussions regularly with mental health partners on a range of issues, including the Mental Health Investment Standard.
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Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on whether there are ongoing trials to assess whether continuing hormone therapy indefinitely after a primary breast cancer diagnosis would prevent this cohort of patients from going on to develop secondary breast cancer. \p Andrew Gwynne: Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.5 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24. Cancer is a major area of NIHR spend, reflecting its high priority. The NIHR has commissioned three current studies relevant to this issue, specifically:

The NIHR's Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) are networks of experts that work collaboratively between the National Health Service and internationally renowned universities. They facilitate early-stage experimental medicine research and support the translation of scientific discoveries. The BRCs are currently supporting a further two relevant studies:

The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including cancer. 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of very high-puff count vapes on trends in the level of youth vaping. \p Andrew Gwynne: Selling nicotine vapes to children under 18 years old is illegal. Yet due to the branding and advertising of vapes to children, one-in-four children aged between 11 and 15 years old tried vaping in 2023. The health advice is clear, that vaping is never recommended for children or non-smokers.

Single-use vapes are playing a significant role in the rise of youth vaping; in 2024, 54% of current vapers aged between 11 and 17 years old in Great Britain were using them, increasing from 7.7% in 2021. The Department of Health and Social Care is aware of the issues regarding ‘big-puff’ vapes, including those raised in the study referenced.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has laid legislation to ban the sale of single-use disposable vapes in England from 1 June 2025. Most ‘big puff’ vapes currently on the market are neither refillable or rechargeable, which means that they will be captured by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ forthcoming ban.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the advertising and sponsorship of all vapes and nicotine products. It will also provide regulation making powers to limit the flavours and packaging of vapes and nicotine products, as well as how these products are displayed.

The Bill also provides powers that allow the Government to regulate the size of a tank or refill container, and the amount of liquid that can be included, as well as powers to standardise the size and shape of vapes, and to further restrict liquid availability. In addition, the Bill contains powers that allow us to regulate the amount of nicotine in a puff, so the Government is able to restrict the nicotine not only in the tank, but also the nicotine that can be emitted in the vapour.

Future vaping regulations will be accompanied by impact assessments when the secondary legislation is laid.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to improve information about early diagnosis for prostate cancer for men from areas of socio-economic deprivation. \p Andrew Gwynne: NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for ensuring healthcare needs of local communities are met. These responsibilities include considering adequate healthcare provision, care, and wider support for local populations, including in rural and socio-economically deprived areas.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) does not currently recommend screening for prostate cancer as the Prostate Specific Antigen test does not meet the required accuracy for use in a national screening programme. Current methods offer insufficient benefits in relation to harms caused by overdiagnosis, such as invasive investigative procedures and unnecessary treatment.

However, the National Health Service is prioritising the roll-out of additional diagnostic capacity, delivering the final year of the three-year investment plan for establishing community diagnostic centres, with capacity prioritised for cancer diagnostics.
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Alice Macdonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to fund research into new treatments for chronic migraines to (a) increase quality of life and (b) reduce the number of patients experiencing side effects. \p Andrew Gwynne: The National Institute for Health and Care Research has funded a number of research projects on the prevention and treatment of chronic and episodic migraines. The relevant awards are named the Co-production and testing of an online resource to support the diagnosis and self-management of migraine, with an award number of NIHR202614, and the What is the comparative clinical and cost- effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for adults with chronic migraine?, with an award number of NIHR132803. Further information is available at the following links:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR202614

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR132803
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Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the NHS England 987 inclusion health scheme on access to A&E services outside of the scope of that scheme. \p Karin Smyth: Access to National Health Service care at accident and emergency departments, and the waiting times at the point of delivery for those services, will always be based on clinical priority.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help prevent the illegal sale of ADHD medication for recreational use. \p Karin Smyth: The illegal sale and supply of human medicines is recognised as a significant challenge for regulators across the world. Medicines purchased from websites that are illegally trading can be harmful to health, as the products received are generally unlicensed in the United Kingdom. They can contain too little, too much, or incorrect active ingredients. The global trade is substantial, with offences often taking place beyond the geographical reach of UK legislation.

The Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) within the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) works with law enforcement partners and others to tackle the illegal trade, and to prevent products from entering the UK. Where offences are identified in the UK, the CEU can investigate and, where appropriate, bring those involved to justice. In parallel with enforcement action, the MHRA also operates the #FakeMeds campaign, offering safety advice and providing practical tools to help the public stay safe when buying medicines online.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the cost to the public purse is of hospital repairs over the last 12 months. \p Karin Smyth: The total cost of hospital repairs in England is collected by NHS England’s Estates Returns Information Collection (ERIC) for each financial year.

The latest ERIC data, for the 2023/24 financial year, showed that capital investment reported by National Health Service trusts for changing and improving existing buildings totalled £1,718,500,000, whilst capital investment for maintaining existing buildings totalled £738,600,000. The published version of this dataset is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/estates-returns-information-collection/summary-page-and-dataset-for-eric-2023-24.

Capital investment for repairing NHS hospitals occurs throughout the financial year based on engagement with individual NHS organisations. In this context, cost data for months that fall during the 2024/2025 financial year is not finalised as the financial year is not yet complete, making this the most recent 12 months of data available.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide (a) resources and (b) expertise to (i) assess digital health technologies and (ii) maintain the safety of its recommendations. \p Karin Smyth: The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is equipped with both the resource and expertise to assess regulated Digital Health Technologies used across the National Health Service. The NICE produces guidance for the use of technologies, indicating their clinical and cost effectiveness, which can be used by local NHS organisations to inform commissioning decisions.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for technology safety and the NICE responds to any relevant MHRA alerts issued as appropriate. This includes updating guidance or withdrawing NICE recommendations when appropriate.
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Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time was in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital emergency department in each of the last ten years. \p Karin Smyth: The data is not available in the format requested. Provisional data for the median average time spent at National Health Service trust emergency departments is published by NHS England each month, and is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/provisional-accident-and-emergency-quality-indicators-for-england
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure hospitals are able to meet increased demand as a result of increased hospital admissions for flu. \p Karin Smyth: The national approach on priorities for winter planning was issued by NHS England on 16 September, setting out the key steps to be taken to support the delivery of high-quality care for patients this winter. The Minister of State for Health also made a statement on winter preparedness in the House of Commons on 18 December 2024.

The National Health Service is supporting vaccination efforts for COVID-19, flu, and the respiratory syncytial virus, ensuring that local partners promote population uptake, and that NHS trusts ensure eligible staff have access to vaccinations.

In addition, due to the action taken by the Government this winter, NHS hospitals will be free of strikes and focused on caring for patients.
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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the powers of Coroners to include the investigation of stillbirths. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice jointly consulted on proposals to provide coroners with new powers to investigate term stillbirths in 2019. In 2023, a factual summary of responses to the consultation was published. The Government will provide an update on next steps at the earliest opportunity.
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Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the NHS 10-year-plan will include measures to address excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. \p Karin Smyth: We have committed to develop a 10-year plan to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future. The engagement process has been launched, and as we work to develop and finalise the plan, I would encourage those concerned about excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation to engage with that process so we can identify what the potential solutions are. Further information is available at the following link:

https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/
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Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with University Hospitals of Liverpool on the Critical Incident declared on 7 January 2025. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England’s regional teams have worked closely with the integrated care boards to ensure that appropriate action is taken to address and mitigate the issues identified within each declared critical incident, including at the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
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Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the affordability of prescriptions on people with long-term conditions. \p Karin Smyth: Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England. There are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with long-term conditions may be eligible, to support the affordability of prescriptions. 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. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three month and 12-month certificates available, and PPCs can be paid for in 10 direct debit instalments.
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Antonia Bance:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the eligibility criteria for IVF for access to treatment for surrogate mothers where the intended parents are same-sex male couples. \p Karin Smyth: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets out recommendations on the criteria for referral for fertility treatment in its guideline, Fertility problems: assessment and treatment [CG156]. The NICE guideline recommends that unstimulated intrauterine insemination should be considered as an option for people in same-sex relationships as an alternative to vaginal sexual intercourse. For groups included in this recommendation, including same-sex couples, who have not conceived after six cycles of donor or partner insemination, despite evidence of normal ovulation, tubal patency, and semen analysis, the NICE guideline recommends offering a further six cycles of unstimulated intrauterine insemination before in vitro fertilization (IVF) is considered.

The guideline is currently being updated, including consideration of the recommendations on the prediction of IVF success, the effectiveness of IVF versus intrauterine insemination, versus expectant management, and fertility preservation. The NICE’s draft guidance will be subject to a public consultation, at the earliest opportunity.
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Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the number of resident doctor training positions. \p Karin Smyth: We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure that patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.

This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to build the transformed health service we will deliver over the next decade.
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Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle (a) staffing shortages and (b) infrastructure problems in hospitals in Gloucestershire. \p Karin Smyth: Information on local plans to tackle staff shortages is not collected centrally by the Department. National Health Service organisations are responsible for their own recruitment, and develop their own workforce plans based on service needs.

At a national level, we are committed to training the staff the NHS needs and will work closely with partners in education to do this. NHS England continues to lead a range of initiatives to boost the retention of existing staff and ensure the NHS remains an attractive career choice for new recruits.

Repairing and rebuilding our hospital estate is a vital part of our ambition to create an NHS that is fit for the future through our 10-Year Health Plan. That is why my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that health capital spending is set to increase to £13.6 billion in 2025/26, representing record levels of capital investment into healthcare.

This includes over £1 billion to continue to tackle dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete and make inroads into the backlog of critical maintenance, repairs, and upgrades across the NHS estate.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support patients adversely impacted by pelvic mesh implants. \p Karin Smyth: There are nine specialist mesh centres across England, ensuring that women in every region with complications due to mesh inserted for urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse gets the right support. Each mesh centre is led by a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients get access to the specialist care and treatment that they need, including pain management and psychological support.

The Medical Devices Outcomes Registry was established by NHS England in April 2024 to fulfil Recommendation 7 of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, also known as the Cumberlege Review. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence registry will be launched in early 2025. This will ensure that appropriate clinical vigilance data is collected, surgical outliers can be identified, and that comparative performance and outcomes across the centres are routinely available. NHS England is extending the registry to be United Kingdom-wide, to improve the recording of patient outcomes and experience.

Furthermore, the Department has commissioned, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, a £1.56 million study to develop a patient reported outcome measure (PROM) for prolapse, incontinence, and mesh complication surgery. Longer term, the PROM will be integrated into the pelvic floor registry.
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to conduct a review of the medicines supply chain to ensure that the causes of ongoing shortages of medicines for (a) epilepsy, (b) Parkinson’s and (c) ADHD are (i) understood and (ii) addressed. \p Karin Smyth: The resilience of United Kingdom’s supply chains is a key priority, and the Department and NHS England are committed to helping to build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages and strengthen our resilience.

The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including with some carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and oxcarbazepine presentations, have been resolved.

We are aware of an ongoing supply issue with all strengths of topiramate tablets, with the resupply date to be confirmed. Other manufacturers of topiramate tablets can meet the increased demand during this time.

The Department is aware of supply constraints with one supplier of amantadine 100miligram capsules used in the management of Parkinson’s Disease, however stocks remain available from alternative suppliers to cover demand. The Department has also been notified of a discontinuation of apomorphine (APO-go PFS) 50 milligram/10mililitre pre-filled syringes from April 2025. Alternative formulations of apomorphine remain available for patients and management guidance has been issued to the National Health Service.

The Department has also been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve the supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved, and all strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available.

We are intensively working to resolve issues with methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets by collaborating with current and new suppliers, expanding the UK supplier base, and partnering with NHS England to improve demand forecasting for ADHD medicines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with NICE on the potential merits of offering Givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. \p Karin Smyth: There are no plans to have discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on offering givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The NICE makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS independently, based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by the NICE, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance. The NICE is currently evaluating givinostat, and its Appraisal Committee will meet to consider its recommendations in May 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_23

Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will (a) review (i) diagnostic and (ii) treatment practices for people with chronic urinary tract infections and (b) take steps to improve conditions for people with such infections. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, and health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence, and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/

NHS England will consider the next steps for Excellence in Continence Care.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_24

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many penalty charge notices have been issued against patient transport service vehicles in each of the last five years for which data is available. \p Karin Smyth: The data requested is not held centrally.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_25

Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to promote the use of Prescription Prepayment Certificates. \p Karin Smyth: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) promotes prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) as part of a wider communications plan for all of the Help with Health Costs services that it delivers. The NHS BSA and the National Health Service use social media, online resources, media releases, and healthcare bulletins to promote the PPC to professionals and patients, to ensure both groups are aware of their availability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_26

David Baines:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) increase capacity on children's heart units and (b) ensure that children requiring treatment receive it in a timely manner. \p Karin Smyth: Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need, including children awaiting specialist cardiac input.

As set out in the Plan for Change, we will return to the National Health Service’s constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment (RTT) by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. This includes for children awaiting elective care at children’s heart units.

Our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the productivity and reform efforts that will get us back to this standard. Through empowering patients; reforming delivery; and aligning funding, performance oversight, and delivery standards; we will ensure that all patients, including children with heart conditions, are seen as quickly as possible, in line with the RTT standard.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_27

Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) trends in the level of costs of medicines and (b) potential closures of community pharmacies. \p Karin Smyth: The NHS Business Services Authority publishes the prescribing costs in hospitals and the community for England, which are available at the following link:

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/prescribing-costs-hospitals-and-community-england

The Department has not made a recent assessment on the potential implications for policies based on trends in the level of the cost of medicines, however we have well established mechanisms to control the level of spend on medicines. For example, the voluntary scheme for branded medicines’ pricing, access, and growth, the statutory scheme for branded medicines to control the growth in sales of branded medicines, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s evaluations ensure the cost effectiveness of spend on new medicines. We are engaging with stakeholders through the National Health Service 10 Year Plan to consider the role of the life sciences and the affordability of medicines in building an NHS fit for the future.

We are aware of the reduction in the number of pharmacies in recent years and recognise that pharmacy closures can impact on local communities. Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) every three years to assess whether their population is adequately served, and must keep these assessments under review. Integrated care boards give regard to the PNAs when reviewing applications from the new contractors. Contractors can also apply to open a new pharmacy to offer benefits to patients that were not foreseen by the PNA.

Patients can also access approximately 400 Distance Selling Pharmacies who must operate nationally, and send medicines to patients’ home free of charge. In rural areas dispensing doctors can also supply medicines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_28

Peter Dowd:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of sunbed usage by adults. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) published a report on the health effects and risks arising from sunbeds in 2009. This report included a chapter on sunbed use in the United Kingdom, and informed the 2010 Sunbeds (Regulation) Act.

In November 2024, the Department commissioned COMARE to consider the available evidence relating to the use of sunbeds in the UK, and to determine if a new review is required. This work is ongoing, and its conclusions will be made publicly available when completed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_29

Peter Dowd:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to improve the usage of sunscreen of factor 30 and above. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Department would advise that people to the follow the National Health Service guidance on using sunscreen, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

The NHS England website is clear on the benefits of sunscreen, and the importance of using sunscreen that is of factor 30 and above.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_30

Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department has spent on skin cancer awareness campaigns in each of the last three financial years . \p Andrew Gwynne: The Department continues to advise patients to follow National Health Service guidance on reducing the risk of skin cancer. This advice is available publicly on the National Health Service website, at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/

The Department is not taking any additional steps, currently or within the last three years, to specifically fund skin cancer awareness campaigns.

NHS England run Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address the 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_31

Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on introducing early diagnosis services for osteoporosis. \p Andrew Gwynne: Funding was recently announced to boost bone density scanning capacity, to support improvements in bone health and early diagnostics for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, such as osteoporosis. This will provide an estimated 29,000 extra scans per year.

As announced in the Get Britain Working white paper, we are delivering the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England’s Getting It Right First-Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT teams will deploy their proven Further Faster model to work with integrated care board leaders to further reduce MSK community waiting times, including for those with osteoporosis, and improve data, metrics, and referral pathways to wider support services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-20 conversation_32

Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of waiting until the publication of the final Module 3 Covid-19 Inquiry report to (a) recognise the role of airborne transmission of SARS-Cov-2 and (b) update (i) Infection Prevention Controls guidance in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual and (ii) Health Technical Memoranda guidelines to limit airborne transmission of (A) Covid-19 and (B) other respiratory viruses on (1) health workers and (2) patients. \p Andrew Gwynne: NHS England maintains efforts to evaluate potential revisions to the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), which aim to maintain high infection, prevention, and control standards. Any updates will ensure consistent application across healthcare settings. Current guidance balances scientific evidence, operational feasibility, and sustainable infection, prevention, and control practices to protect healthcare workers and patients.

Delaying NIPCM updates until the final Module 3 COVID-19 inquiry report risks greater exposure to infection, slower practice improvements, and training gaps. Timely updates, based on emerging evidence, strengthen healthcare worker and patient safety through evidence-based, locally adapted measures.

The updated acute respiratory virus guidance, published in March 2024, advises adult social care providers on precautions for preventing respiratory infection transmission, addressing masks, ventilation, and other measures based on current evidence. The acute respiratory virus guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-acute-respiratory-infection/infection-prevention-and-control-ipc-in-adult-social-care-acute-respiratory-infection-ari