theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_223
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_223

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the NHS is taking to ensure that women with Neurofibromatosis type 1 are informed of their increased risk of breast cancer at an early age. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites women between the ages of 50 and 71 years old to a screening every three years. However, women with an increased risk of breast cancer, such as those with neurofibromatosis type 1, are invited for screening from 40 years old.

Any woman who has neurofibromatosis type 1 and who hasn’t been referred for breast screening at 40 years old, or who has noticed changes to their breasts, should speak to their general practitioner.

The National Health Service website, available to the public and professionals, has information on neurofibromatosis and the increased risk of breast cancer, and advises breast screening from 40 years old.

In 2023, the England Rare Diseases Action Plan committed to improving the registration of national data for exemplar rare genetic conditions which cause an inherited predisposition to cancer, building on the success of the national Lynch syndrome registry.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_224
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_224

Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a national redress scheme for (a) mothers and (b) children living with fetal valproate syndrome. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity. Although the Hughes Report and its recommendations only cover patients harmed in England, the Government recognises that any response will likely have implications for Northern Ireland and is engaging with the Minister for Health in the Northern Ireland Executive on the Hughes Report.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_225
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_225

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to deliver early diagnosis services for osteoporosis. \p Ashley Dalton: On 6 January 2025, NHS England published a new Elective Reform Plan, which sets out a whole system approach to achieving the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament. The plan includes funding to boost bone density (DEXA) scanning capacity, support improvements in early diagnosis, and support improvements in bone health for conditions such as osteoporosis. We are investing in 14 high-tech DEXA scanners which are expected to provide 29,000 extra scans per year.

As announced in the Get Britain Working White Paper, the Department of Health and Social Care is delivering a joint programme with NHS England and the Department for Work and Pensions called the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal Community Delivery Programme. With a £3.5 million funding boost, the GIRFT will deploy a Further Faster model with integrated care boards (ICBs) to reduce musculoskeletal community waiting times, including for those with osteoporosis.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning services that meet the needs of their population, including for osteoporosis. The Government expects ICBs to take account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines and other best practice in designing their local services.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_226
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_226

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 22100 on Genetics: Diseases, how many additional (a) midwives and (b) close relative neonatal nurses were provided for the Genetic Risk Equity project; and what proportion of funding that represented. \p Ashley Dalton: There were an additional 3.8 working time equivalent (WTE) midwives and 1 WTE neonatal nurse in post in 2024/25. Staff costs represented 22% of project costs, or 59% if full recruitment to funded posts was secured.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_227
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_227

Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of microplastic pollution to human health; and what practices he has in place to continuously evaluate the growing body of research on this topic. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Health Security Agency is carrying out research to understand if there are potential health risks from exposure to micro and nano plastics through inhalational and oral routes, as part of the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health.

In addition, the potential impact of microplastic materials on human health has been assessed by the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment. The most recent statement was published in 2024 and is available at the following link:

https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-02/Microplastics%20inhalation%20final%20draft%20statement%20Acc%20V%20SO.pdf.

Under the 2022/23 UK REACH Work Programme, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs initiated a research proposal to investigate the risks of intentionally added microplastics. The evidence project has reviewed their emissions, and the risks they pose both to human health and the environment. It also included a socio-economic assessment. This project is expected to report in early 2025. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh and Scottish Governments will consider its findings once complete.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_228
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_228

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national awareness campaign on prostate cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: 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.

The Department continues to advise patients to follow National Health Service guidance on signs and symptoms of several types of cancer, including prostate cancer. This advice is available publicly on the NHS.UK website, at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_229
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_229

Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of poor dietary health on the UK economy. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government recognises that poor diet and obesity are major drivers of physical and mental ill health and early mortality. Ill health leads to increased sickness absence and early death which reduces workforce productivity, putting a burden on businesses and the wider economy.

Frontier Economics estimates that the total cost of obesity to society was approximately £74.3 billion per year in the United Kingdom in 2021, expressed in 2023 prices. Included in these costs is an £8.9 billion per year cost to businesses and the economy from productivity losses due to obesity related diseases.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_230
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_230

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure people diagnosed with gout have access to medical care. \p Ashley Dalton: We know how important it is that patients with gout receive the care they need from their general practices (GPs) and secondary care.

We want to make it easier for patients to see a GP when they need to. In October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England. This will increase the number of GP appointments delivered, benefitting thousands of patients that are struggling to get the care they desperately need, including those with gout.

We are committed to moving towards a Neighbourhood Health Service, with more care delivered in local communities to spot problems earlier, and we will also bring back the family doctor, by incentivising GPs to see the same patient, so ongoing or complex conditions are dealt with effectively. In doing so, we will improve continuity of care, which is associated with better health outcomes, and will improve patient health and care as a result.

Tackling waiting lists, including for those waiting for rheumatology treatment, is a key part of our Health Mission. The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out how we will get back to the NHS Constitutional Standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by the end of this Parliament, and will also ensure that patients have the best possible experience of care.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_231
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_231

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many confirmed cases of bile duct cancer there have been in the UK since January 2024. \p Ashley Dalton: The most recently published data on registrations of bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, are available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2022

There were 2,973 diagnoses of bile duct cancer in 2022.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_232
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_232

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to public defibrillators outside of business hours in (a) rural, (b) suburban and (c) other areas. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to improving access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. We have made a further £500,000 available from August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the Department’s Community AED Fund. The criteria specified for the original grant continues to apply and will go to applications for AEDs in areas of England where there is the greatest need, including in areas of high footfall, hot spots for cardiac arrest, and areas that already have low access to AEDs. A further requirement of the fund was that AEDs be publicly accessible 24 hours a day, where practical.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_233
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_233

Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to improve access to cardiac screening for people aged 14 to 35 years including (a) at university (b) grassroots sports clubs. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 in 2019 and concluded that screening should not be offered. The committee’s review is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

Research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use in young people without symptoms, and that treatments and interventions were not based on good scientific evidence to prevent SCD.

To stop SCDs in young people, the current consensus is to focus on rapid identification and care of people who are likely to be at risk of SCD due to a family link or because they have had symptoms, and to train people to carry out CPR and to use defibrillators.

NHS England has published guidance for inherited cardiac conditions which requires services to investigate patients with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease, suggestive symptoms or from families with sudden unexplained deaths. Where a genetic variation is identified, cascade testing is offered to relatives based on risk.

We are aware that the UK NSC has received a submission via its annual call process to consider SCD screening in young people aged between 14 and 35 years old engaging in sport. The UK NSC is currently reviewing all annual call proposals. More information on the annual call process is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_234
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_234

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of funding levels for research into the (a) detection and (b) treatment of heart diseases. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds research in response to proposals received from scientists rather than allocating funding to specific disease areas. The NIHR continues to welcome high quality applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including the detection and treatment of cardiovascular and heart diseases.

Over the past five financial years, from 2019/20 to 2023/24, the NIHR has invested £145.4 million on cardiovascular and heart diseases and stroke research directly through NIHR research programmes. Our wider investments in NIHR infrastructure, by strengthening specialist facilities, workforce, and support services to enable research in the health and care system, have enabled significant cardiovascular and heart diseases and stroke research funded by other funders to take place.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_235
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_235

Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to address regional disparities in (a) funding and (b) staffing levels for the (i) diagnosis and (ii) treatment of congenital heart disease for (A) all patients and (B) paediatric services in the North West.. \p Ashley Dalton: The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ North West Regional Team provides system leadership for population health and reducing health inequalities across the North West. This includes working with local authorities and integrated care systems to develop and deliver population health programmes at a local level, supporting regional NHS England priorities and long-term planning on prevention and health inequalities.

NHS England undertook a national review of congenital heart disease from 2014 to 2016 which created a new service specification for the provision of congenital heart disease services. This new service specification identifies minimum activity levels for each centre to achieve optimum outcomes, and the review identified planning footprints for clinical networks to achieve this level of activity.

Specialised commissioners, namely NHS England and the integrated care boards, have been working with North West providers and the North West Congenital Heart Disease Clinical Network to ensure adherence to these standards within local provision. Proposals are in development to support the creation of a single networked pathway of care for patients, delivered across designated specialised healthcare services, which includes plans for staffing and workforce development to consistently deliver national standards for all patients in the North West.

NHS England works closely with the Congenital Heart Networks to support work to maintain and monitor elective congenital heart disease surgery activity, waiting lists, and waiting times across England, noting that there are interdependencies with critical care capacity. Clinical heart disease constitutes the bulk of paediatric cardiac cases.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_236
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_236

Alberto Costa:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to (a) research and (b) mitigate the potential health risks posed by microplastic exposure to humans. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Health Security Agency, in collaboration with Imperial College, is carrying out research and providing evidence to assist the understanding of the potential risks from exposure to micro and nano plastics through inhalational and oral routes. The potential impact of microplastic materials on human health has been assessed by the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), who made a number of recommendations for further research. The most recent COT statement was published in 2024. The statements are available at the following link:

https://cot.food.gov.uk/M-statementsandpositionpapers#microplastics

Under the 2022/23 UK REACH Work Programme, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs initiated a research proposal to investigate the risks of intentionally added microplastics. The evidence project has reviewed their emissions, and the risks they pose both to human health and the environment. It also included a socio-economic assessment. It will advise on the most effective measures to address any risks and help identify wider evidence gaps that need to be addressed to support a more strategic approach to managing intentionally added microplastics. This project is expected to report in early 2025. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh and Scottish administrations will consider its findings once complete.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_238
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_238

Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 23741 on Coronavirus: Vaccination, if he will publish (a) the questions posed to Pfizer/BioNTech and (b) the answers received that do not relate to commercially confidential issues. \p Ashley Dalton: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does not intend to publish these questions, or any subsequent responses received from the manufacturers. It is routine practice for regulatory authorities to ask developers of new medicines and vaccines a series of technical questions based on their data submissions. These technical discussions can cover a range of issues, including commercially confidential issues such as manufacturing methods, and as such they are not published. However, the final outcome of the assessment, including a comprehensive summary of evidence for quality, safety, and efficacy, is published in the form of a Public Assessment Report, which has been published on the GOV.UK website, and which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-public-assessment-report-for-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

We recognise that there is a public interest in the disclosure of commercial information

relating to the authorisations of the COVID-19 vaccines following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the technical context of the 36 questions posed to Pfizer and BioNTech and any response that they may have issued, disclosure of such correspondence would risk compromising an existing competitive market environment, which would harm the reputation of the MHRA amongst pharmaceutical manufacturers and potentially disincentivise them from seeking an authorisation for the United Kingdom for highly beneficial new medicines or medical devices.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_239
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_239

Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle tobacco bundle packs; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of prohibiting the promotion of these bundles. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department has not made an assessment on the potential merits of prohibiting the sale of bundles, consisting of hand rolling tobacco, cigarette papers, and filters, being sold together at a discount.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care powers to regulate the features of all tobacco products, including their size and shape, as well as the number of individual products contained in an individual packet. The bill also widens this power to cover tobacco related devices, herbal smoking products, and cigarette papers. The bill gives my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care the power to make, via regulations, prohibitions, requirements, and limitations on the supply of these products. This power would cover bundles of products that are sold in a package together.

Tobacco taxation is a matter for HM Treasury. As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, duty rates on all tobacco products were increased, in line with the tobacco duty escalator, by 2% above Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation. The duty rate on hand-rolling tobacco was increased by a further 10% to 12% above RPI inflation, to reduce the gap with duty on cigarettes. These changes came into effect on 30 October 2024. High and increasing rates of tobacco duty are proven to incentivise those who currently smoke either to quit or to smoke less, and support public finances.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_240
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_240

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce alcohol related deaths in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England. \p Ashley Dalton: In 2023, there were 8,274 alcohol-specific deaths, namely deaths wholly due to alcohol, in England, which was an increase of 63.8% from 5,050 deaths in 2006 and a 4.6% increase since 2022. The majority of these deaths are caused by alcohol-related liver disease.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has an action plan to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths, which is being reviewed in light of the recent Office for National Statistics data to ensure that it is grounded in the latest understanding of the drivers of drug and alcohol related deaths and responding to these. In 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care published guidance for local authorities and their partnerships on how to review adult drug and alcohol-related deaths and near-fatal overdoses to prevent future deaths. Additionally, OHID has published the document, Commissioning Quality Standard: alcohol and drug services, providing guidance for local authorities to support them in commissioning effective alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services.

The Department of Health and Social Care will soon publish the UK clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment which will include recommendations on developing effective, accessible and inclusive services. The aim of the guidelines is to promote and support good practice and improve quality of service provision, resulting in better outcomes. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work with all local areas to address unmet need and drug and alcohol misuse deaths, and to drive improvements in continuity of care. This includes the Unmet Need Toolkit which can be used by local areas to assess local need and plan to meet it.

The Department of Health and Social Care is continuing to invest in improvements to local drug and alcohol treatment services. Funding for drug and alcohol treatment services is provided through the public health grant. In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. The London Borough of Havering Council was allocated £626,673 of targeted funding in 2024/25 for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services through a combination of grants.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_241
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_241

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS Resolution has used artificial intelligence to assist with casework in the last 12 months. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England. NHSR has advised that it does not currently use artificial intelligence (AI), in the broadest definitions, for casework processing purposes. The only AI in use currently for casework at NHSR is a document search tool which is used to rapidly locate documents.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_242
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_242

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what NHS guidance and training is (a) in place and (b) being put in place to ensure Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is understood by medical professionals across England. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS) is part of the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), and NHS England. The NCARDRS aims to collect, curate, quality-assure, and analyse data from patients in England diagnosed and/or treated with rare conditions. Further information on the NCARDRS and the NDRS is available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/about/ncardrs

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs

Over the last five financial years, the National Institute for Health and Care Research has allocated £189,109 for research on complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Research has focused on establishing evidence-based management of CRPS to improve clinical outcomes throughout the care pathway. There is a National Health Service conditions page dedicated to CRPS, detailing the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis and treatment pathway, available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/

NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme and the GeNotes resource provides concise information to help healthcare professionals make the right decisions at each stage of a clinical pathway. GeNotes also includes resources on non-genetic rare diseases, and work continues to expand the programme's coverage.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_243
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_243

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data is collected on the prevalence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in England; and how this data is being used to understand the condition. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS) is part of the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), and NHS England. The NCARDRS aims to collect, curate, quality-assure, and analyse data from patients in England diagnosed and/or treated with rare conditions. Further information on the NCARDRS and the NDRS is available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/about/ncardrs

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs

Over the last five financial years, the National Institute for Health and Care Research has allocated £189,109 for research on complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Research has focused on establishing evidence-based management of CRPS to improve clinical outcomes throughout the care pathway. There is a National Health Service conditions page dedicated to CRPS, detailing the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis and treatment pathway, available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/

NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme and the GeNotes resource provides concise information to help healthcare professionals make the right decisions at each stage of a clinical pathway. GeNotes also includes resources on non-genetic rare diseases, and work continues to expand the programme's coverage.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_244
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_244

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Shaping the national cancer plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart, and reducing inequalities in cancer diagnosis and outcomes is a key priority for the plan. We are committed to engaging with patient groups and all communities to ensure the consultation process is inclusive and that we hear and learn from different voices to shape the long-term vision for cancer. Alongside the call for evidence, we will carry out targeted engagement with partners and patient groups representing different communities to get their input throughout this process.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_245
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_245

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2025 to Question 27888 on Brain: Tumours, if he will make it his policy to ensure that the National Institute for Health and Care Research provides feedback to each application for brain tumour research which does not secure funding. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR funding opportunities relevant to brain tumours are advertised, highlighting scope and remit, with guidance documents to assist applicants in shaping their applications. All unsuccessful applications receive extensive committee feedback and, where a study may be fundable with changes, applicants may be invited to resubmit at either the outline or full stage. In areas of strategic importance, including commissioned calls relevant to brain tumours, the NIHR will support with direct engagement with the study team to ensure the feedback is well understood and adequate support is in place, including that provided by the NIHR Research Support Service.

Brain tumours remain one of the hardest to treat cancers in both adults and children. More research is urgently needed to inform efforts. This is why in September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. The Department is committed to increasing our support for high quality brain tumour research, ensuring that funding is used in the most meaningful and impactful way. Further information on the new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research is available at the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-funding-opportunities-novel-brain-tumour-research-launched
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_246
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_246

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to review the (a) capacity and (b) efficiency of the medical examiner system in the new death certification process. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is monitoring the impact of the death certification reforms, which came into legal effect on 9 September 2024. Early data indicates the median time taken to register a death appears to have risen by one day, from seven days to eight days. This figure is for all deaths, as it includes those certified by a doctor and those investigated by a coroner. The average time taken to register has increased further over the Christmas weeks, but this was expected given increases are observed during this period every year, and the average is expected to decrease again as more data becomes available for January and February 2025. The Department does not hold data on what was the longest period between a death and its registration since September 2024.

The median time taken to register a death varies depending on the type of certification. Deaths certified by a doctor, that comprise approximately 80% of deaths registered each week, have typically had a median time to registration of seven days, though there can be variation at a local level. It’s important to note that the medical examiner system was active on a non-statutory basis before the introduction of the statutory system on 9 September 2024, and this makes direct ‘before’ and ‘after’ comparisons challenging to draw conclusions from.

The core purposes of the death certification reforms are to introduce scrutiny of the cause of death, to detect and deter malpractice, to improve reporting, and crucially to put the bereaved at the centre of the process by offering a conversation with the medical examiner about the cause of death. The expectation on doctors and medical examiners is clear, that they should complete certification as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the Government is working with all stakeholders to make sure this is the case.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_247
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_247

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to support new parents in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England. \p Ashley Dalton: In London, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), within the Department, and NHS England’s London regional teams work together to champion and embed a focus on giving every child the best start in life, providing support to National Health Service organisations, local government, and wider partners to deliver joined up services for babies and families. This includes focused work on infant feeding, perinatal mental health, addressing inequalities in maternity care and outcomes, and developing the health visiting workforce in London.

In Havering, the local authority has developed an online family services hub to help new parents in Romford find and access locally available services and support, and an online gateway for early years health and other professionals to access, enabling them to better advise, support, and refer new parents into the local offer.

A £126 million funding boost in 2025/26 will help set up every child for the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services and improving support through pregnancy and early childhood. This will fund a network of family hubs with Start for Life services, which support the period from conception to the age of two years old, in 75 local authorities in England with high levels of deprivation.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_248
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_248

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce bowel cancer deaths in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Health Service in England has been gradually reducing the age for bowel screening from 60 years old down to 50 years old, since 2021/22. The extension to 50 years old is expected to be completed by 31 March 2025.

We will improve NHS cancer waiting time performance across the country, so that patients, including those with bowel cancer, are diagnosed and treated faster. The NHS 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.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_249
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_249

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available for people impacted by (a) pelvic mesh and (b) sodium valproate in Surrey. \p Ashley Dalton: Our sympathies remain with those affected by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

There are nine specialist mesh centres across England, to ensure that women in every region with complications of mesh inserted for urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse get 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. In the South East region, the mesh centre is located at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; however patients can ask to be referred to any of the nine mesh centres.

Significant action has been taken to strengthen oversight of valproate prescribing. Valproate must now not be started in new patients, male or female, younger than 55 years old unless two specialists independently consider and document that there is no other effective or tolerated treatment, or there are compelling reasons that the reproductive risks do not apply.

The Government is carefully considering the work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report. The report sets out options for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. The Government will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s Report at the earliest opportunity.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_250

Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support people affected by Primodos in Knowsley constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: While the Government is sympathetic to the families who believe that they have suffered because of using Hormone Pregnancy Tests, the currently available scientific evidence does not support a causal association between the use of Hormone Pregnancy Tests during early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has committed, together with the wider Government, to review any new scientific evidence which comes to light since the conclusions of the 2017 independent Expert Working Group convened by the Commission on Human Medicines.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_251

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the (a) 10-Year Health Plan and (b) Cancer Plan will ensure that the specific needs of people living with low grade brain tumours are properly recognised and supported. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department recognises that brain cancer patients are often waiting too long for diagnosis. We are determined to change that, which is why we are developing a National Cancer Plan which will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care and the experience and outcomes for people with cancer, including brain cancer. Although low-grade brain tumours are non-cancerous, they can have similar, serious symptoms and require surgery or radiotherapy to treat them. The Department welcomes submissions on brain tumours to the new online platform, Shaping the national cancer plan. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/shaping-the-national-cancer-plan

In the five years between 2018/19 and 2022/23, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) directly invested £11.3 million in research projects and programmes focused on brain tumours, including low grade brain tumours.  In addition, our wider investments in NIHR research infrastructure, which includes facilities, services, and the research workforce, are estimated to be £31.5 million, between 2018/19 and 2022/23, and have enabled 227 brain cancer research studies to take place in the same period. In total, NIHR investments have enabled 8,500 people to participate in potentially life-changing research in the National Health Service over this time.

In September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. This includes a national NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, to ensure that the most promising research opportunities are made available to adult and child patients, and a new funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support, and rehabilitation.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including low grade brain tumours. 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.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_252
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_252

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on (a) developing and (b) promoting an effective methodology for assessing value when purchasing medical (i) devices and (ii) consumables; and what plans he has to promote the uptake of a value based procurement approach. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department is working with NHS England and the NHS Supply Chain to develop and promote a standardised methodology for National Health Service trusts and integrated care systems (ICS) to assess value when procuring medical technologies, including devices and consumables. As part of this, the Department is engaging medical technology suppliers, patient forums, as well as broader networks of financial teams, clinicians, and NHS procurement professionals.

The methodology will provide a consistent and transparent approach to assessing value, for use at both the national and local levels. This aims to shift the majority of the weighting in procurement decisions towards value over upfront cost. The guidance will include a bank of questions, model answers, and scoring criteria showing how to assess defined values consistently, such as patient experience and outcomes, and whole system costs.

The Department will be testing this guidance with the NHS at the ICS and NHS trust level over the coming months, with the ambition to refine and publish the guidance in Autumn 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_253
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_253

Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps NHS England is taking to support people with (a) ME and (b) long Covid; what funding has been allocated to Surrey for treatment of such conditions; and what the waiting times are for (i) diagnosis and (ii) care in Surrey. \p Ashley Dalton: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for determining the level of long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), services locally, and are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local populations.

I have been advised by NHS England that NHS Surrey Heartlands has taken the decision to no longer operate dedicated long COVID services following the publication of updated guidance by NHS England, in April 2024, on the provision of long COVID services.

As of 8 July 2024, patients presenting with symptoms that may be linked to long COVID will be referred to other available services depending on their symptoms, including chronic fatigue services, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, and mental health services such as psychotherapy.

Every effort will be made to ensure that the patients who are currently accessing these services complete their therapy and, if appropriate, are transferred to other services specific to their needs.

NHS Surrey Heartlands recognises that this decision may cause concern for people receiving care within current long COVID services, however, patients will continue to receive support and advice. We are working with the current providers of long COVID services, First Community Health and Care and Surrey Downs Health and Care, to ensure that patients are transferred into alternative pathways safely.

NHS England has recently completed a long COVID stocktake, aiming to provide a national overview of the service delivery of commissioning and contracting, assessing access, activity, and outcomes. Executive NHS England board members were updated on the current provision of long COVID services, noting the challenges and significant variation. NHS England will continue to support the ICBs to enhance service quality and ensure equitable access to care and consistency across the system.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_254

Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of youth services on public health outcomes. \p Ashley Dalton: Youth services play a vital role in achieving positive outcomes for public health, by promoting healthy behaviours, building resilience, and improving mental and physical wellbeing among young people. These services provide early intervention and support that can prevent the development of more serious health and social issues, including mental health challenges, substance misuse, and physical health problems.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever.  Through the Young Futures Hubs we will provide open access mental health support for children and young people in every community in England.

In 2024/25, the Department is running a Shared Outcomes Fund project, backed by £8 million, to boost and evaluate the impact of 24 existing early support hubs. These drop-in centres offer mental health support and advice to young people without a referral by a doctor or school.

On 12 November 2024, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport announced the co-production of a National Youth Strategy which will aim to provide more opportunities to young people, bring power back to young people and their communities, and rebuild a thriving and sustainable youth sector. The physical and mental health and wellbeing of young people will be considered when developing the strategy.