Written questions by Ramsay.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of excess deaths as a consequence of extreme heat, in the week commencing 22 June 2026.

Awaiting answer.

How many critical incidents were declared by NHS trusts as a consequence of extreme heat, in the week commencing 22 June 2026.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the resilience of GP practice estates to extreme weather events, including flooding, heatwaves and storms.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has made a comparative assessment of risks from extreme weather events to GP practices in (a) general, (b) deprived areas and (c) rural areas.

Awaiting answer.

Whether new neighbourhood health centres will be required to incorporate climate resilience measures, including flood protection and cooling systems.

Awaiting answer.

What guidance his Department has issued to GP practices on adapting estates to extreme weather events.

Awaiting answer.

What role integrated care systems play in ensuring GP estate resilience to climate-related risks.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment has been made of the potential merits to introduce universal newborn screening for the condition Progressive Spinal Muscle Atrophy.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to protect vulnerable groups during periods of extreme heat.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) carries out communication activity with the Met Office to ensure health systems and the public are aware of periods of hot weather, the risks of heat on health and what action they should take.UKHSA delivers the Adver...

Whether some integrated care boards are capping neurodevelopmental assessments without informing GPs or patients.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for planning and commissioning services to meet the needs of their local populations, including making decisions about how best to manage demand and capacity within available resources. There is guidance for t...

What estimate he has made of the level of savings to NHS services in Norfolk from VCSE sector programmes.

The Department has not made a central estimate of the level of savings to National Health Services in Norfolk specifically arising from programmes delivered by the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.VCSE organisations play an important role in supporting prevention, early intervention, and community-based care, which can help improve outcomes for patients and reduce pressure on statutory services.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the newborn screening programme screens for all life-threatening conditions with approved treatments.

The Government recognises the devastating impact of life-threatening rare diseases on children, families, and communities. The NHS Newborn Blood Spot (NBS) screening programme screens newborn babies for 10 rare but serious conditions and consistently achieves very high coverage, with the most recent figure at 98% in Quarter two of 2025/26.We know how frightening it is for families to face the possibility of a serious condition in their newborn. Screening is an important tool, but it is only one of the ways we can reduce illness in babies. Some conditions can be prevented by supporting healthier pregnancies, for example by helping mothers to stop smoking, optimising management of diabetes and other long-term conditions, and ensuring timely antenatal care. For other conditions, there are not yet screening tests that are accurate enough, meaning some babies could undergo further tests and worry when the condition is unlikely to be present.The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), which advises the Government on all screening matters, carefully weighs the likely benefits and possible harms of screening, and works with stakeholders through consultation, to ensure screening programmes are introduced only when they are the best way to support babies and their families.The National Health Service is planning a large-scale in-service evaluation (ISE) of screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in newborn screening services. The ISE, which was due to start in January 2027, will now start three months earlier, in October 2026. The evidence from this ISE will inform a decision on whether to extend the NHS NBS screening programme and include screening for SMA.

What steps his department is taking to ensure the VCSE sector is able to play a role in the Neighbourhood Health Service.

The Neighbourhood Health Service will ensure that people can better access care that is joined up, personalised, and designed to proactively meet their needs. This will involve building a National Health Service that works in partnership with local government, the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector (VCSE) sector, employment services, and beyond.At the Autumn Budget the Government announced its commitment to deliver 250 Neighbourhood Health Centres. Neighbourhood Health Centres will provide easier, more convenient access to a wide range of health and care services on people’s doorsteps, including VCSE services. 27 centres will be open by 2027 and are the first of 50 Neighbourhood Health Centres backed by a total of £200 million in Government investment.In September 2025, we launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) in 43 Places across England. The NNHIP is a large-scale change programme for all partners involved in delivering neighbourhood health, including the VCSE sector.In March 2026, we published the Neighbourhood Health Framework. The framework is designed to support joined-up partnership between ICBs, local authorities, and their partners, to develop locally led Neighbourhood Health Plans. Local neighbourhood health teams will have the flexibility to work with people in ways that suit their area, whether through co-design, community outreach, or collaboration with VCSE partners.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the new National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry is accessible to women at increased risk of breast cancer.

The National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry (NICPR), which is part of the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), records information on individuals who have confirmed pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variants in any of the approximately 120 cancer predisposition genes tested for in the National Health Service. These individuals must be referred to one of the Regional Clinical Genetics Services in England for genetic counselling and management. NDRS works closely with these services and the UK Cancer Genetics Group to ensure that all eligible individuals, including women at increased genetic risk of breast cancer, are captured in the NICPR. To support this, NDRS provides regular feedback to Regional Clinical Genetics Services through quarterly reconciliation audits, to confirm that all relevant individuals are included and have access to appropriate clinical support.NICPR also supports referrals into the Very High Risk Breast Screening Programme, where relevant. In addition to those with confirmed genetic variants, NDRS also supports referral of women in the risk-equivalent category, for example those with a strong family history of breast cancer but who have not undertaken a definitive genetic test. Information on these women is submitted using a similar portal as for NICPR referrals.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that changes to NICE’s cost effectiveness thresholds results in improved and equitable access to new and effective treatments for people with incurable secondary breast cancer.

The Government intends to increase the standard cost-effectiveness threshold that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) uses in its evaluations of medicines in line with the commitment in the United Kingdon and United States’ trade deal. The new threshold is expected to mean that NICE is able to recommend some medicines for use on the National Health Service that it would not have otherwise been able to recommend. Decisions on whether an individual medicine can be recommended as a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources once the new threshold is applied will be taken by NICE in line with its established processes.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of financial barriers on graduate entry medical students in England.

No specific assessment has been made. The Government reviews the funding arrangements for medical students annually. This includes the NHS Bursary Scheme and Student Finance England support.The 10-Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, recognises the need to improve access to the medical profession for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and commits to a range of actions to achieve this. This includes exploring options to improve financial support for students from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds, so that they are able to thrive at medical school. We will set out next steps in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that professional regulatory costs do not act as a disincentive to entering or remaining in the nursing, midwifery and nursing associate professions.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is independent of the Government, is directly accountable to Parliament, and is responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. As the NMC set out in its consultation, registrant fees, which account for 97% of organisational income, have remained at the same level for over 10 years. The NMC has deemed it necessary to propose a fee increase to ensure that the organisation can carry out its statutory functions. We understand that the proposed increase would equate to an annual increase of £23 per registrant, the equivalent of an additional £1.92 a month. The NMC’s registrant fee remains one of the lowest across all of the health and care professional regulators. United Kingdom taxpayers can claim tax relief on their registration fees, helping to reduce the overall cost. Professionals can also apply to spread the cost of registration by paying in four instalments each year. We are working closely with employers and leaders across the National Health Service to improve staff retention. There are many issues that can influence staff retention, so this requires a multi-faceted approach. The 10 Year Workforce Plan due to be published in the spring will have a big focus on making the NHS a better employer. This includes the development of a new set of staff standards which will focus on improving staff experience and health and wellbeing.NHS England is already leading work nationally through its retention programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Nursing and Midwifery Council registration fee increase on recruitment, retention and workforce morale within the NHS.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is independent of the Government, is directly accountable to Parliament, and is responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. As the NMC set out in its consultation, registrant fees, which account for 97% of organisational income, have remained at the same level for over 10 years. The NMC has deemed it necessary to propose a fee increase to ensure that the organisation can carry out its statutory functions. We understand that the proposed increase would equate to an annual increase of £23 per registrant, the equivalent of an additional £1.92 a month. The NMC’s registrant fee remains one of the lowest across all of the health and care professional regulators. United Kingdom taxpayers can claim tax relief on their registration fees, helping to reduce the overall cost. Professionals can also apply to spread the cost of registration by paying in four instalments each year. We are working closely with employers and leaders across the National Health Service to improve staff retention. There are many issues that can influence staff retention, so this requires a multi-faceted approach. The 10 Year Workforce Plan due to be published in the spring will have a big focus on making the NHS a better employer. This includes the development of a new set of staff standards which will focus on improving staff experience and health and wellbeing.NHS England is already leading work nationally through its retention programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure patients with brain tumours treated at NHS trusts that are not members of the National Institute for Health and Care Research's Brain Tumour Research Consortium are able to access equivalent a) tumour tissue freezing, b) whole genome sequencing and c) clinical trial stratification pathways.

The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with brain tumours, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments. The NIHR funds research and research infrastructure across England which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including brain cancer trials. The NIHR also provides an online service called Be Part of Research which promotes participation in health and care research, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest.In addition, the Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act 2026. The act will make it easier for clinical trials on brain tumours to take place in England, by ensuring the patient population can be more easily contacted by researchers.The NIHR’s investments for capital equipment, technology, and modular buildings support National Health Service trusts across England to deliver high-quality research to improve the health of the population. These investments include cutting edge research equipment and fixed assets such as ultra-low and cryogenic freezers, to strengthen research capacity and improve access to samples for research.Genomic testing in the NHS in England is delivered through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) via seven regional Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). All seven GLHs deliver testing based on the National Genomic Test Directory, which outlines eligibility criteria for genomic testing. The Test Directory includes over 200 cancer indications for a range of genomic tests, including whole genome sequencing for neurological tumours, for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. Seven NHS GMS Alliances also work to embed genomics into clinical pathways, raise awareness among clinicians and the public, and ensure equitable access to whole genome sequencing across all regions.

Whether his Department has (a) set and (b) considered setting a national standard for the maximum timeframe within which brain tumour tissue should be placed into a fresh-frozen state following surgical excision.

The Department has neither set nor considered setting a national standard for the maximum timeframe within which brain tumour tissue should be placed into a fresh-frozen state following surgical excision.Fresh-freezing, also referred to as snap-freezing, is a standard technique used by pathology networks to preserve tissue architecture without chemical fixatives, allowing for subsequent molecular or histological analysis, typically supporting research or advanced diagnostic applications.Pathology services in England are delivered through 27 regional pathology networks, and offer a comprehensive range of tests, including the analysis of brain tissues. Individual pathology services in England maintain their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fresh, or the snap-freezing, of tissue samples. These SOPs outline local capabilities and practices. While NHS England does not routinely set detailed technical standards for specific laboratory processes, relevant professional bodies, such as Royal College of Pathologists, may develop guidance to support consistent practice across services.