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 much funding his Department has allocated to research on aplastic anaemia in each of the last five years. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care including aplastic anaemia.

Applications to the NIHR 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. Topics for new research can be proposed to the NIHR at the following link:

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

The NIHR has not allocated funding to research on aplastic anaemia in the last five years, neither directly nor through its research programmes or career development awards, because no applications were received that were deemed fundable by the NIHR.

The NIHR also works closely with other Government funders, including UK Research and Innovation, which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and includes the Medical Research Council, to fund research into a range of conditions, including aplastic anaemia.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that post-polio syndrome is (a) recognised, (b) diagnosed, and (c) treated though (i) access to specialist neuromuscular clinics, (ii) appropriate care pathways and (iii) other means. \p Ashley Dalton: Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but care may involve pain-relieving medication, physiotherapy, dietary and exercise advice, and/or counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. It is for commissioners, providers, and clinicians, supported by relevant clinical practice, to determine the best treatment for people with post-polio syndrome.

Ongoing rehabilitation for polio survivors is commissioned at a local level by integrated care boards (ICBs) as it is unlikely they would require the complex rehabilitation services commissioned by NHS England.

It is the responsibility of ICBs to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including services for people with polio and post-polio syndrome, as they are best placed to make decisions according to local need.

The 10-Year Health Plan commits to a health system that is inclusive and equitable. While polio survivors are not named explicitly, the plan’s shift from hospital to community care is particularly relevant for polio survivors, many of whom require ongoing rehabilitation and support to live independently. The 10-Year Health Plan outlines the expansion of community-based services and neighbourhood health models, which will bring care closer to home and reduce reliance on hospital-based services, and investment in digital tools and assistive technologies, which can enhance independence and access to services for those with mobility challenges.

While the Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the regional disparities of access to therapy and rehabilitation services for people living with the long-term effects of polio and post-polio syndrome, addressing healthcare inequity is a core focus of the 10-Year Health Plan, to ensure the National Health Service is there for anyone who needs it whenever they need it, including people with polio and post-polio syndrome.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve long-term quality of life for people (a) living with and (b) beyond cancer under the National Cancer Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Cancer Plan, which will be published early in the new year, will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as prevention, and research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. The National Cancer Plan will build on the three shifts set out by the 10-Year Health Plan. These shifts will enable rapid progress on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, as well as supporting those living with cancer to better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

The National Cancer Plan will aim to improve how the physical and psychosocial needs of people with cancer can be met, with a focus on personalised care to improve quality of life. It will address how the experience of care can be improved for those diagnosed, treated, and living with and beyond cancer.
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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 challenges of working with private finance companies to help deliver neighbourhood health centres. \p Karin Smyth: The Government announced in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy on 19 June 2025, and in the 10-Year Health plan published on 3 July 2025, that it will explore the feasibility of using new Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to deliver certain types of primary and community health infrastructure, including Neighbourhood Health Centres.

Any new model will be subject to market-testing, and will build on the lessons learned from past administrations’ experiences, the models currently in use elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and the March 2025 National Audit Office report titled Lessons Learned: private finance for infrastructure. The decision on whether to proceed with the use of PPPs for Neighbourhood Health Centres will be made by HM Treasury and the relevant ministers by the 2025 Autumn Budget.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to introduce a young cancer patients travel fund. \p Ashley Dalton: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to the Rt Hon. Member for Clapham and Brixton Hill on 1 April 2025 to Question 42011.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the (a) timely and (b) consistent diagnosis and (c) treatment for people living with postural tachycardia syndrome. \p Ashley Dalton: We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and times down, including for those with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, by March 2029.

Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.

By shifting care into the community through Neighbourhood Health Services, promoting integrated, multidisciplinary models of care and the expansion of personalised care plans, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure that people with conditions like PoTS receive more timely and accessible support closer to home.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what baseline data his Department holds on the number of hospital tooth extractions among 5-9 year olds in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) publishes annual official statistics on tooth extractions, which include five- to nine-year-olds, that take place in a National Health Service hospital setting in England. The following table shows the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) for all tooth extractions and for tooth extraction with dental caries, also known as tooth decay, as the primary diagnosis code, for the 2023/24 financial year, for children aged five to nine years who reside in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes:

All tooth extractions

Tooth decay-related tooth extractions

Buckinghamshire

115

95

Milton Keynes

40

35

Source: OHID’s annual statistics on tooth extractions for zero to 19 year olds that take place in an NHS hospital setting in England, available at the following link:  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hospital-based-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds

Notes:
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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle the misdiagnosis of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. \p Ashley Dalton: Services for people with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) are commissioned locally by integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs have a statutory responsibility to provide a health service for the local population, subject to local prioritisation and funding, which includes access to specialist medical services for people with PoTS as appropriate.

Providing a PoTS specialist service is a fundamental part of ICBs’ statutory functions to plan and deliver health services for their local populations, to improve service quality and reduce health inequalities. In commissioning specialist PoTS services, we expect ICBs to use their local knowledge and commissioning authority to consult with patient groups, work collaboratively with clinicians, and design care pathways that ensure patients receive coordinated evidence-based care.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out a transformative vision for the National Health Service that will support efforts to reduce regional inequalities in access to services for people with PoTS. The shifts outlined in the plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting preventative measures to reduce the severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will help streamline referrals and reduce waiting times, enabling earlier diagnosis and more consistent management of PoTS across the country.

We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and times down. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, by March 2029. This, in addition to the reforms outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, will help to accelerate accurate diagnoses and reduce patient delays.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of planned changes to funding for NHS services in Devon on (a) health inequalities and (b) funding for public health programmes. \p Karin Smyth: NHS Devon’s financial planning aligns with the NHS England planning round. The integrated care board is developing detailed commissioning intentions to allocate resources in line with its five-year Health and Care Strategy.

This strategy prioritises tackling health inequalities through targeted prevention, integrated neighbourhood care, and population health management.

Funding for local authority public health programmes is not affected by changes to NHS Devon’s internal budget allocations.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of GPs per head of population in Bedfordshire by 2035, in the context of the 10 Year Health Plan. \p Stephen Kinnock: Each general practice (GP) is required to provide services to meet the reasonable needs of their patients. There is no NHS England recommendation for how many patients a GP should have assigned, or the ratio of GPs or other practice staff to patients. The demands each patient places on their GP are different and can be affected by many different factors, including rurality and patient demographics. It is necessary to consider the workforce for each practice as a whole, not only GPs but also the range of health professionals available who are able to respond to the needs of their patients.

We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade to treat patients on time again.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has been of the (a) long-term health outcomes and (b) quality of life of patients who have undergone treatment for aplastic anaemia. \p Ashley Dalton: No such assessment has been made. The majority of the treatment pathway for aplastic anaemia is an integrated care board commissioning responsibility and data is not held centrally. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is a curative treatment option for aplastic anaemia. NHS England does not directly collect data on long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients with aplastic anaemia who have received a stem cell transplant. Instead, the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy collects data on transplants performed by United Kingdom transplant centres, and reports this back to the NHS England Blood and Marrow Transplantation Clinical Reference Group (CRG). This includes individual centre annual summary reports. These reports are reviewed by the CRG and insights from the analysis are shared with local commissioners so that they can address any issues with providers. However, HSCT is performed for a number of conditions and the CRG does not routinely review long-term outcomes for individual conditions at a granular level.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his oral contribution of 6 May 2025, Official Report, column 540 and his letter to the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham dated 29 May 2025, when he will meet the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham to discuss time-critical medication. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: My office has been in touch with the hon. Member to arrange a meeting.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that healthcare professionals receive appropriate training on (a) identifying and (b) managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome effectively. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department does not hold data on the number of people diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) in England in 2020 and 2025. There are no relevant codes in the Hospital Episode Statistics database that identify PoTS.

PoTS UK, however, estimates that 0.2% of the United Kingdom population has PoTS, which would equate to approximately 130,000 people.

In our recently published 10-Year Health Plan, we announced that we will introduce a new Single Patient Record across the National Health Service. The Single Patient Record will bring together a patient’s medical records all into one place. It will mean that no matter where a patient is accessing care, in the community or in a hospital, the care provider will have a comprehensive understanding of their medical history, including for many patients with PoTS.

To improve awareness of PoTS amongst healthcare professionals, and specifically general practitioners (GPs), the Royal College of General Practitioners provides training on PoTS as part of its Syncope toolkit, which is available at the following link:

https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=500

The Syncope toolkit includes an e-learning module, a podcast, and a webinar, and provides GPs with information about the diagnosis and management of PoTS. The webinar gives GPs the opportunity to hear the lived experience perspective of a patient representative from PoTS UK.

The National Institute for Care Excellence has also published a clinical knowledge summary on the clinical management of blackouts and syncope, that provides advice for clinicians in the United Kingdom on best practice in the assessment and diagnosis of PoTS. This was last updated in November 2023, and is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/

It is the responsibility of local integrated care boards to work with clinicians, service users, and patient groups to develop services and care pathways that are convenient and meet the needs of patients with PoTS.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether first responders are (a) trained and (b) equipped to administer EpiPens in emergency situations; and what guidance is in place on their use. \p Ashley Dalton: Since October 2017, the Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 has allowed all schools to buy adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) without a prescription, for emergency use on children who are at risk of anaphylaxis but whose own device is not available or not working. The Department has published non-statutory guidance to accompany this legislative change, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-emergency-adrenaline-auto-injectors-in-schools

This guidance advises schools on the recognition and management of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis, and outlines when and how an AAI should be administered for pupils. The guidance makes clear that any AAIs held by a school should be considered as a spare device and not a replacement for a pupil’s own AAI. It also states that children at risk of anaphylaxis should have their own prescribed AAIs at school for use in an emergency, and that they should carry two devices at all times.

There are many implications that would need to be given careful consideration if AAIs were to be located in public places such as shopping centres, sports venues, or transport hubs. For example, we would need to consider the impacts on the supplies of AAIs for patients who are currently prescribed them.

In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and to provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs.

Ambulance staff are trained in how to treat a range of conditions, including anaphylaxis. Treatment options may include a dose of adrenalin via a syringe or use of AAIs. The Community First Responder (CFR) programme enables volunteers trained by the ambulance service to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. CFRs have had first aid training but are not medically trained. CFRs are trained in the administration of a patient’s own AAI, which would ensure the correct medication and dose for that patient. In general, CFRs do not carry medication.
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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the seasonality of demand patterns for community hospital beds for elderly people in the last three years. \p Stephen Kinnock: Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out our vision for a neighbourhood health service that will embody our new preventative principle that care should happen as locally as it can: digitally by default, in a patient’s home, if possible, in a neighbourhood health centre when needed, and only in a hospital if necessary.

We have not analysed trends in the seasonality of demand patterns for community hospital beds for elderly people in the last three years because we do not have sufficient data to enable us to make an accurate assessment.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve access to effective treatments for migraine and (b) reduce waiting times for (i) diagnosis and (ii) referral to specialist services. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline, Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management, sets out best practice for healthcare professionals in the care, treatment, and support of people who suffer from headaches, including migraine. It aims to improve the recognition and management of headaches and migraine.

NICE updated its guideline in June 2025. Updates included a change to the strength of recommendations on treatments for migraine prevention to better reflect the balance between their benefits and harms, and incorporation of relevant technology appraisal guidance for treating and preventing migraine with or without aura.

At the national level, there are several initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with migraine, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology and the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit. The GIRFT programme published a National Speciality Report, which makes several recommendations in relation to improving recognition and diagnosis of migraine by general practitioners. Additionally, the RightCare Toolkit sets out key priorities for improving care for patients with migraine, which includes correct identification and diagnosis of headache disorders.

The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed two e-learning modules about migraine and cluster headaches, which aim to raise awareness amongst primary care clinicians about the different types of migraine and their associated symptoms, and how to differentiate.

Over the last four years, a new class of drugs, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors, has been made available on the National Health Service for the prevention and treatment of episodic and chronic migraines. On 15 May 2024, Atogepant became the latest CGRP inhibitor recommended by NICE for use as a preventive medication for the treatment of migraine.

A key priority for the Government is to cut waiting lists, including for patients with migraine. We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029, including in neurology services. We have reduced the elective waiting list by over 206,000 since July 2024. Between July 2024 and June 2025, we have delivered 5.2 million additional appointments, many of which will have been for patients with migraine.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of abolishing Healthwatch organisations on the transparency of patient feedback in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The abolition of Healthwatch England and the transfer of its functions, as well as the changes to Local Healthwatch, requires primary legislation. The timing of this is subject to the will of Parliament and will happen when parliamentary time allows. A full Impact Assessment would be produced in line with HM Treasury's Green Book standards and published on the Government’s website when legislation is introduced in Parliament.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of Enhertu for the treatment of (a) HER2-positive and (b) HER2-low breast cancer. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an evaluation of a treatment’s costs and benefits. These are very difficult decisions to make, and it is important that they are made independently and based on the available evidence. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE.

NICE has been able to recommend Enhertu for treating HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer after one or more anti-HER2 treatments and for treating HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer after 2 or more anti-HER2 therapies. Enhertu is now available for NHS patients in line with NICE’s recommendations.

On 29 July 2024, NICE published final guidance on Enhertu for use in the treatment of HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, and it was unable to recommend this life-extending treatment. The only obstacle to access for NHS patients to Enhertu is price, and my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met the manufacturers of Enhertu, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to encourage them to re-enter discussions with NHS England with a view to reaching a price at which NICE would be able to recommend Enhertu.

However, despite NICE and NHS England offering unprecedented flexibility, the companies were unable to offer Enhertu at a cost-effective price. NICE’s guidance will therefore remain unchanged for the moment. However, NICE remains open to being as flexible as possible with commercial partners and are willing to enter into a new NICE appraisal if there is movement on pricing.
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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the (a) quality and (b) provision of NHS wheelchairs by AJM Healthcare. \p Stephen Kinnock: The safety of all patients, whether they are treated in the National Health Service or the independent sector, is a top priority for the Government.

NHS England is aware there have been several separate complaints about the quality of services provided by AJM Healthcare, which are being dealt with on an individual basis by the ombudsman’s office. NHS England has flagged this to the relevant integrated care boards (ICBs), who are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchair services.

NHS England is taking steps to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of NHS wheelchairs, and to support ICBs to reduce delays in people receiving timely intervention and wheelchair equipment. This includes publishing a Wheelchair Quality Framework on 9 April 2025, which sets out quality standards relevant to all suppliers regardless of Care Quality Commission registration status, and statutory requirements for ICBs. The framework is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/wheelchair-quality-framework/

There are a range of providers of NHS wheelchair services across England. ICBs are responsible for monitoring service provision and effectively managing contracts with their commissioned providers. Therefore, we would encourage those with concerns regarding the service and support provided by an NHS wheelchair service to raise them directly with the local ICB.
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Emma Lewell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of families are eligible to participate in the Healthy Start scheme. \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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Emma Lewell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the uptake figures were for the Healthy Start scheme in the latest period for which data is available. \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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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) due diligence and (b) risk management measures his Department undertook when it became aware of the likely winding up of NRS Healthcare Limited. \p Stephen Kinnock: 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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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to keep local authorities informed on the developing situation on the winding up of NRS Healthcare Limited. \p Stephen Kinnock: 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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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to help mitigate the potential impacts of the insolvency of NRS Healthcare Limited on (a) the supply of medical equipment to patients, (b) local authorities and (c) relevant contracted businesses. \p Stephen Kinnock: 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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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the identification of young carers across other health services in the context of plans to change the Mental Health Act Code of Practice. \p Stephen Kinnock: 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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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the insolvency of NRS Healthcare Limited on (a) patient care, (b) local authorities’ duty of care and (c) relevant contracted businesses. \p Stephen Kinnock: 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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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards support improved early identification of young carers. \p Stephen Kinnock: 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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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many times Ministers in his Department have met with representatives of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the last 12 months. \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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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_74

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Health of 23 October 2025 on Impact of NHS workforce levels on cancer patients, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the time taken to publish the NHS workforce plan. \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.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_75

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the national cancer plan. \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.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_76

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which Minister has responsibility for oversight of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. \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.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_77

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the NHS long-term workforce plan. \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.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_78

Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Action 10 on page 22 of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, published on 16 July 2025, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that musculoskeletal conditions are included in plans to increase investment in health research and development focused on primary and secondary prevention and multiple long-term conditions. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health including a variety of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as arthritis, including osteo, rheumatoid, psoriatic, juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint and back pain. This includes research on primary and secondary prevention of MSK and the interaction and co-concurrence of MSK with other long-term conditions. Current investments across the NIHR include:

- the UK Musculoskeletal Translational Research Collaboration, which works across all sectors of the health and care system to collate expertise, resources, and to develop novel innovations to benefit those experiencing MSK related conditions, with further information available at the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/what-we-do/infrastructure/translational-research-collaborations/musculosceletal;

- the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, which is evaluating new devices and surgical interventions, using large datasets to find new ways to identify and treat MSK conditions and testing new drug delivery systems to help treat MSK conditions, with further information available at the following link: https://oxfordbrc.nihr.ac.uk/research-themes/musculoskeletal/; and

- a major research grant exploring whether long-term conditions such as arthritis can be predicted by a person’s level of inflammation. Predicting these conditions will enable better intervention, prevention, and treatment, with further information available at the following link: https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR205461.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_79

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the third-party data entry of NHS patient data is processed securely. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: IT systems in the National Health Service operate to the highest standards of security, and all organisations have governance arrangements in place to ensure the safe, legal management of data. Third party organisations operate under the instruction of the NHS when processing data, with safeguards in place to keep people’s confidential information secure as per contractual requirements. All organisations that have access to NHS patient data and systems must use the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) to provide assurance on an annual basis that they are practising good data security and that personal information is handled correctly. Over 61,500 organisations completed a DSPT assessment for 2024/25.

The privacy and confidentiality of health and care data is championed by the National Data Guardian who provides independent advice on the use of such data and holds the Caldicott Principles, which provide a framework for the safe and respectful use of data.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_80
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_80

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 72364 on Electronic Patient Records, what assessment his Department has made of the digital maturity of the North-West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 October 2025 to Question 81534 and on 22 October 2025 to Question 82444.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_81
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_81

Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding allocated by his Department for research and innovation for (a) less survivable and (b) other cancers. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer as one of its largest areas of spend reflecting its high priority.

An example of this is the NIHR investing £2.4 million into the miONCO-Dx trial, which seeks to develop a blood test designed to detect 12 different cancers, that could transform how cancer is diagnosed in the National Health Service.

The NIHR is also funding a new artificial intelligence (AI) powered radiology analysis service, designed to develop and evaluate the use of AI in medical imaging to improve the detection of cancers. The use of this technology will help to speed up response times and provide more accurate diagnoses and better-targeted treatments, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

Whist no assessment has been made specifically on the adequacy of the research into less survivable cancers, the NIHR continues to welcome further high-quality proposals from researchers to inform approaches to prevention, treatment, and care in relation to less survivable cancers.

Furthermore, the Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with rare cancers, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments. The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how the NHS will improve diagnosis and outcomes for all cancer patients in England, including for rare and less common cancers.
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_82
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_82

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 905924 on Health Services: Rehabilitation, what the percentage numbers were for causes of delayed discharge for (a) Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and (b) Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust in each month of 2025. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: There is no data on discharge delays relating to rehabilitation alone, but information on the reasons for delayed discharges are published monthly by NHS England and are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/discharge-delays/acute-discharge-situation-report/

The tables attached show the proportion of delayed discharges where the primary reason for the delay was related to securing rehabilitation, reablement, or recovery services, for patients with a length of stay of 14 days or over, each month between January 2025 and September 2025 for the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. These delays were either linked to capacity constraints or occurred during the brokerage processes at the interface between the National Health Service, local authorities, social care and/or housing partners.

Please note that unlike the response to Question 905924, we have provided data for patients with length of stays of 14 days or more, as the seven day or more length of stay data is only available from the September 2025 publication.

To support trusts with reducing delayed discharges, the Government published a new policy framework in January 2025 for the £9 billion Better Care Fund, which provides the NHS and local authorities accountability for setting and achieving joint goals for reducing discharge delays and preventing avoidable emergency admissions and care home admission. Some challenged systems in need of additional support are also receiving a programme of improvement support.

Additional Document (docx, 24.6KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_83
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-29 conversation_83

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the availability of pancreatic cancer drugs. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department is aware of ongoing intermittent supply issues with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We have been continuously assessing the availability of all PERT presentations for the duration of the supply disruption and implementing mitigation measures where there are any supply gaps. The Department is continuing to work with all suppliers of PERT to help resolve the supply issues in the short and longer term. Through these discussions we have managed to secure additional volumes for 2025 for the United Kingdom, and we are in regular communication with suppliers on expected volumes for 2026.

The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market. We have widely disseminated comprehensive guidance to healthcare professionals, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, and pharmacies, about these supply issues, which provide advice on how to manage patients whilst there is disruption to supply. The Department will continue to work closely with the manufacturers to resolve the issues as soon as possible, to ensure patients have continuous access to medicines.

The Department is also aware of a supply issue with mitomycin 10 milligram and 40 milligram powder for solution injection vials, a type of chemotherapy which may be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, which are out of stock until mid-January 2026. Alternative treatments have been sourced, and guidance has been issued to health care professionals with management advice until this issue is resolved.