Written questions by Dance.

What the average waiting time is for dyslexia assessments in (a) Yeovil, (b) Somerset and (c) the South West.

Data on waiting times for dyslexia assessments is not held centrally. Assessments for dyslexia in children are provided by an educational psychologist or an appropriately qualified specialist dyslexia teacher. If a parent thinks their child may be dyslexic, as a first step they should speak to their child’s teacher or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator about their concerns. They may be able to offer additional support to help the child if necessary. Further information on dyslexia assessments can be found on the NHS.UK website, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/diagnosis/The early identification of needs and support is critical to improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including those with dyslexia. There are already a number of measures to help teachers do this, including the phonics screening check and the statutory assessments at the end of key stage two.

What steps he is taking to improve the diagnosis of dyslexia in children in (a) Somerset and (b) the South West.

Data on waiting times for dyslexia assessments is not held centrally. Assessments for dyslexia in children are provided by an educational psychologist or an appropriately qualified specialist dyslexia teacher. If a parent thinks their child may be dyslexic, as a first step they should speak to their child’s teacher or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator about their concerns. They may be able to offer additional support to help the child if necessary. Further information on dyslexia assessments can be found on the NHS.UK website, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/diagnosis/The early identification of needs and support is critical to improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including those with dyslexia. There are already a number of measures to help teachers do this, including the phonics screening check and the statutory assessments at the end of key stage two.

What the timeline is for the opening of new Fracture Liaison Services in (a) Somerset and (b) the South West.

Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) are a globally recognised care model and can reduce the risk of refracture for people at risk of osteoporosis by up to 40%.FLS are commissioned by integrated care boards (ICBs), which make decisions according to local need. This is the case for all ICBs in the South West, including the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB and the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB. We remain committed to rolling out FLS across every part of the country by 2030.In the meantime, we are investing in 14 high-tech DEXA scanners, which are expected to provide an extra 29,000 scans to ensure that people with bone conditions get diagnosed earlier.

What progress has been made on the negotiations with Biomarine on the provision of Brineura as a treatment for Batten disease.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently developing guidance for the National Health Service on whether Brineura (cerliponase alfa) can be recommended for routine NHS funding, taking into account real-world evidence collected during a period of managed access. The NICE and NHS England are actively engaging with BioMarin, as well as other stakeholders in the development of the guidance. These discussions are complex, and given the exceptional nature of this evaluation and the impact on patients and their families, it is essential that they take the necessary time and care to reach the best possible outcome. All parties are also committed to providing updates to stakeholders, notwithstanding the necessity that discussions are undertaken in a confidential setting.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of prescription charges on the uptake of prescribed medication for people who have undergone a kidney transplant.

There are no plans to assess the impact of prescription charges on people who have undergone a kidney transplant.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with long term or chronic conditions may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

What estimate he has made of the number of people not taking prescribed medication due to prescription charges.

No assessment has been made of the number of people not taking prescribed medication due to prescription charges.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with long term or chronic conditions may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the farming sector's provision of access to (a) healthy eating and (b) nature on preventative health care.

Shifting the focus from sickness to prevention is one of the three shifts in the Government’s mission for a National Health Service fit for the future, and is a cornerstone of supporting people to live healthier lives. We are working collaboratively across Government to deliver a resilient food system that promotes health and food security, protects the environment, and champions British farming.Consuming fruit and vegetables are critical parts of the Government’s dietary recommendations under the Eatwell Guide. Consumers in the United Kingdom would need to eat at least 30% more of a variety of fruits and vegetables by weight to meet the Government’s dietary recommendations. For fruits and vegetables, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affair’s data suggest UK farms provide 53% of vegetables that are sold domestically, as well as 16% of the fruit. This means the farming sector plays a critical role in the sustainable and resilient food and nutrition security of the country, with a direct impact in preventing obesity and improving diet-related health.The food strategy will work to provide healthier, more easily accessible food to help people live longer healthier lives, and will support the Farming Roadmap to reduce the impact of farming on nature and biodiversity.Access to nature, including green spaces provided by farms, plays a crucial role in preventative healthcare. Studies have shown that exposure to natural environments can reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and lower the risk of conditions such as heart disease and obesity. Green spaces linked to farming, such as walking trails, woodlands, and agricultural land, help encourage physical activity, and foster social well-being.

What plans he has to improve access to training for (a) dentists and (b) dental nurses in rural areas.

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the dental workforce, including dentists and dental nurses, is key to our ambitions.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS, a central and core part of which will be our workforce. This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade.Integrated care boards have started to recruit posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most, for three years. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What assessment he has made of the impact of geographic barriers in rural areas on access to (a) regular check-ups and (b) timely intervention.

Since June 2022, 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) across England have been responsible for arranging National Health Service healthcare services to meet the needs of their respective populations, reflecting the different needs of different populations. The local ICB is therefore responsible for ensuring that NHS services are accessible in their area.However, the Government recognises the health inequalities faced by rural communities in England, particularly around access to healthcare services. In response, work is underway across the Department, NHS England, and the regional Directors of Public Health to develop approaches that address these inequalities. In line with the Government’s Health Mission, the Department’s goal is to create a more equitable healthcare system that leaves no person or community behind.More specifically, the Government is aware of the challenges faced in accessing general practice (GP) and dentistry services, particularly in more rural areas.The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, the Government will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.And, 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 appointments delivered in GPs, benefiting thousands of patients that are struggling to get the care they desperately need. Additionally, we have announced a proposed £889 million uplift to the GP Contract in 2025/26, the largest uplift in years, with a rising share of total NHS resources going to GPs.

What steps he plans to take to improve public oral health education in rural areas.

In England, local authorities are responsible for assessing the oral health needs, developing oral health strategies, and commissioning oral health improvement programmes for their local area. We have also published evidence-based resources for dental teams on preventive advice to improve their patients’ oral health. This is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-preventionWe will be implementing a national targeted supervised toothbrushing programme to children aged three, four, and five years old living in our most deprived communities.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing a set price list for private dental practices.

The National Health Service contracts independent dental providers to deliver NHS dental treatment. Dentists must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which can only be provided on a private basis, and the costs associated for each. If a patient decides to choose alternative private options, this should be included in their treatment plan.The Department and NHS England do not control the cost of private dental or orthodontic treatment.

With reference to the guidance entitled Reconfiguring NHS services - ministerial intervention powers, published on 31 January 2024, if he will clarify the changes in circumstances following which he may consider and intervene in the same reconfiguration more than once.

The Department will always review each call-in request on reconfigurations, regardless of any previous or concurrent requests.If my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care decides to call in a reconfiguration, as per the Health and Care Act 2022, once he has given direction on a called-in reconfiguration, National Health Service commissioning bodies must implement the decision. The statutory guidance, published January 2024, allows for final decisions on a called-in service change to be revisited in limited circumstances, only when a material change in circumstances may be identified, for example an issue arising that might affect the ability to implement a decision made by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of difficulties faced by NHS patients in Somerset in receiving prescriptions of Creon.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. We have not made an assessment of stock levels within Somerset specifically.The Department has been working with suppliers, NHS England and national clinical specialists to address current supply issues with Creon, which is a brand of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). The supply issues with Creon are impacting countries throughout Europe and have been caused by limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints to produce volumes needed to meet demand. These issues have resulted in knock-on supply disruptions of alternative PERT medications.The Department is continuing to work with all suppliers of PERT to help resolve the supply issues in the short and longer term by asking that they expedite deliveries, source stock from other markets and increase production. The Department has also been working with specialist importers of unlicensed medicine to ensure National Health Service patients can obtain unlicensed imports of PERT where appropriate to help mitigate this supply issue. Comprehensive guidance has been issued to the NHS and is being regularly reviewed and updated as the situation changes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20545 on Department of Health and Social Care: Correspondence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that 80% of hon. Members receive a response to correspondence in 20 days.

The Department is committed to meeting the target of responding to at least 80% of correspondence from Hon. Members within 20 working days. Parliament has a right to hold Ministers to account. We recognise there is room for improvement and we are committed to doing things differently. The Leader of the House of Commons wrote to all Cabinet members in November 2024 to remind Ministers of their responsibilities to provide helpful and timely responses to Members' written parliamentary questions and correspondence.The Government has already taken steps to strengthen its approach to correspondence, with a Ministerial champion for correspondence identified in each department. As the lead Minister appointed for this Department, I am receiving information from my officials on performance and highlighting the importance of this work in communicating with Hon. Members across both Houses of Parliament.

What the criteria are for Ministers to (a) intervene in an Integrated Care Board's reconfiguration proposal and (b) revisit decisions made in those proposals.

The call-in power introduced on 31 January 2024 allows my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to intervene in service reconfigurations within the National Health Service at any stage where a proposal exists and following that intervention, to take or re-take any decision that previously could have been taken by the NHS commissioning body.The Department published statutory guidance in January 2024 which sets out how call-in requests may be considered. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reconfiguring-nhs-services-ministerial-intervention-powers

What his planned timetable is for implementing the supervised toothbrushing scheme.

We are committed to introducing a supervised toothbrushing scheme for three to five-year-olds, targeting the areas of highest need. Further information on the implementation timetable will be confirmed in due course.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of his Department's response times to correspondence from hon. Members.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs, Peers, and members of the public. The Department receives some of the highest, and most sensitive, volumes of correspondence. This year, we are forecast to receive over 65,000 queries, with over 15,000 of those from Hon. Members.The Department is committed to responding to 80% of Hon. Members’ correspondence within 20 working days where possible. Ministerial correspondence performance data is published annually by the Cabinet Office.

Whether he is taking steps to increase access to dental services in rural areas.

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist, particularly in more rural and coastal areas. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.Integrated care boards (ICBs) have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. As of 7 November 2024, 629 Expressions of Interest have been received, 308 of which have been approved for participation in the Dental Recruitment Incentive Scheme. 64 posts have been advertised, with five dentists commenced in post.The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the ICBs across England.

What progress he has made on the provision of 700,000 additional dental appointments; and what his target date is for that provision.

The Government is committed to tackling the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists. We are working to ensure patients can start to access 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments as soon as possible, targeting areas that need them most.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of recruitment and retention in NHS dentistry; and what steps he plans to take to tackle this.

The Dental Statistics - England 2023/24, published by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on 22 August 2024, is available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324The NHSBSA’s annual dental statistics publication provides details of dental activity and dental workforce data for National Health Service dental treatment in England, including the number of dentists delivering NHS treatment, by contract type and commissioning region.The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.Earlier this year, the Department ran a consultation on introducing a further piece of legislation to give the General Dental Council powers to provisionally register overseas qualified dentists, which would help to address some of the workforce challenges.