Written questions by Pinkerton.

What steps his Department is taking to support individuals with endometriosis in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships and their participation in education and the workforce. In the Surrey Heath constituency, Frimley Park Hospital is a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy-accredited endometriosis centre, with the capacity to manage severe cases of endometriosis. The centre is working towards becoming cross-site, supporting women at Wexham Park Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital, offering more specialist staff to support the service.In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its guideline on endometriosis which makes firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with suspected diagnosis. The guideline is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG73)www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG73

What steps his Department is taking to support access to healthcare services during winter in Surrey Heath constituency.

The National Health Service is already preparing for winter this year with the development and better testing of winter plans. This includes the surge capacity and escalation plans in place across urgent and emergency care services.Further details of the actions being taken to support patient access to services this winter are set out in the Urgent and Emergency Care plan for 2025/26, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

What steps his Department is taking to improve diagnosis times for people suffering with Myeloma in Surrey Heath constituency.

It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer as early and quickly as possible and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes.To tackle late diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS is implementing non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, ensuring more patients benefit from quicker access to the right investigations. This benefits cancer patients across the country, including in Surrey Heath.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including those with myeloma.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) support and (b) information provided to people following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s in Surrey Heath constituency.

It is the responsibility of integrated care bards (ICBs) and local authorities to meet the care and support needs of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Patients living in the Surrey Heath constituency would be covered by either the NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) or the Surrey Heartlands ICB. ICBs are responsible for commissioning services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations and, in doing so, we expect them to have regard to best practice guidance, such as that published by the National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE).NICE guideline 71, titled Parkinson’s disease in adults, makes several recommendations in relation to the provision of support and information to patients, which emphasise the importance of clear, tailored, and consistent communication throughout the course of the disease. Regular support from a Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist is also highlighted as a key intervention to provide ongoing support, medication advice, and a direct line for patients and their families.The NICE guideline also recommends timely referral to specialists, such as neurologists or geriatricians, for accurate diagnosis and regular expert review. The guideline mentioned is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng71/Social care for people with Parkinson's disease is commissioned by local authority social services departments, or by ICBs if the care is deemed to be primarily health-related NHS Continuing Healthcare. The availability and extent of the services provided depends on assessment of the individual’s health condition and personal circumstances and needs.

What steps her Department has taken to ensure people diagnosed with Parkinson’s have regular access to a consultant following diagnosis in Surrey Heath constituency.

It is the responsibility of integrated care bards (ICBs) and local authorities to meet the care and support needs of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Patients living in the Surrey Heath constituency would be covered by either the NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) or the Surrey Heartlands ICB. ICBs are responsible for commissioning services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations and, in doing so, we expect them to have regard to best practice guidance, such as that published by the National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE).NICE guideline 71, titled Parkinson’s disease in adults, makes several recommendations in relation to the provision of support and information to patients, which emphasise the importance of clear, tailored, and consistent communication throughout the course of the disease. Regular support from a Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist is also highlighted as a key intervention to provide ongoing support, medication advice, and a direct line for patients and their families.The NICE guideline also recommends timely referral to specialists, such as neurologists or geriatricians, for accurate diagnosis and regular expert review. The guideline mentioned is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng71/Social care for people with Parkinson's disease is commissioned by local authority social services departments, or by ICBs if the care is deemed to be primarily health-related NHS Continuing Healthcare. The availability and extent of the services provided depends on assessment of the individual’s health condition and personal circumstances and needs.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of care provided to people suffering from multiple myeloma in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department of Health and Social Care is committed to improving cancer care in all regions of England, including for people suffering from multiple myeloma in Surrey Heath constituency. The National Health Service has exceeded their pledge to deliver an extra two million appointments, having now delivered over three million more appointments as the first step to ensuring earlier and faster access to diagnosis and treatment.The National Cancer Plan, due for publication later this year, will include further details on how the NHS will improve care for cancer patients, including those with multiple myeloma in the Surrey Heath constituency. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care, including the design of services and the experience and outcomes for people with cancer.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of support for people with Central Neurocytoma in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as central neurocytoma. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community. These include helping patients get a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We remain committed to delivering under the Framework and, in February, published the annual England Rare Diseases Action Plan.Central neurocytoma is an example of a rare benign brain tumour. These types of brain tumours are managed through surgical intervention in most instances. Services for both adults and paediatric patients are commissioned and delivered through two national clinically developed service specifications. These are the NHS England Neurosurgery (Adults) specification, published in 2019, and the NHS England Paediatric Neurosurgery Services specification, published in 2013.For patients living in the Surrey Heath constituency aged over one year old, the pathway of care for treatment is through the St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust service. Patients aged under one year old will be seen and treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

What recent assessment his Department has made of levels of access to respite care for unpaid carers in Surrey Heath constituency.

Local authorities have duties to support unpaid carers and are required to deliver sustainable, high-quality care and support services. The Government’s Better Care Fund provides support to unpaid carers, including short breaks and respite services.The Department regularly engages with local authorities, including Surrey County Council, on matters relating to unpaid carers and wider social care issues. According to data from NHS Digital, in 2023/24, Surrey County Council supported 760, or 19%, of unpaid carers through respite or other forms of carer support delivered to the cared-for person. We do not hold data to assess trends in the level of burnout among unpaid carers in the Surrey Heath constituency.Independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research suggests that high intensity unpaid care is associated with an increased likelihood of poorer outcomes, including loneliness and social isolation, when compared to people who do not provide unpaid care. The severity of these outcomes differs based on factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity.The Office for National Statistics has estimated, using the 2021 Census and adjusting for age, that the proportion of residents of the Surrey Heath Borough District providing unpaid care is slightly lower than in the Southeast region or England as a whole. This is especially true for the proportion of residents providing higher levels of unpaid care.

What recent discussions his Department has had with Surrey County Council on support for unpaid carers in Surrey Heath constituency.

Local authorities have duties to support unpaid carers and are required to deliver sustainable, high-quality care and support services. The Government’s Better Care Fund provides support to unpaid carers, including short breaks and respite services.The Department regularly engages with local authorities, including Surrey County Council, on matters relating to unpaid carers and wider social care issues. According to data from NHS Digital, in 2023/24, Surrey County Council supported 760, or 19%, of unpaid carers through respite or other forms of carer support delivered to the cared-for person. We do not hold data to assess trends in the level of burnout among unpaid carers in the Surrey Heath constituency.Independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research suggests that high intensity unpaid care is associated with an increased likelihood of poorer outcomes, including loneliness and social isolation, when compared to people who do not provide unpaid care. The severity of these outcomes differs based on factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity.The Office for National Statistics has estimated, using the 2021 Census and adjusting for age, that the proportion of residents of the Surrey Heath Borough District providing unpaid care is slightly lower than in the Southeast region or England as a whole. This is especially true for the proportion of residents providing higher levels of unpaid care.

What recent assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of burnout among unpaid carers in Surrey Heath constituency.

Local authorities have duties to support unpaid carers and are required to deliver sustainable, high-quality care and support services. The Government’s Better Care Fund provides support to unpaid carers, including short breaks and respite services.The Department regularly engages with local authorities, including Surrey County Council, on matters relating to unpaid carers and wider social care issues. According to data from NHS Digital, in 2023/24, Surrey County Council supported 760, or 19%, of unpaid carers through respite or other forms of carer support delivered to the cared-for person. We do not hold data to assess trends in the level of burnout among unpaid carers in the Surrey Heath constituency.Independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research suggests that high intensity unpaid care is associated with an increased likelihood of poorer outcomes, including loneliness and social isolation, when compared to people who do not provide unpaid care. The severity of these outcomes differs based on factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity.The Office for National Statistics has estimated, using the 2021 Census and adjusting for age, that the proportion of residents of the Surrey Heath Borough District providing unpaid care is slightly lower than in the Southeast region or England as a whole. This is especially true for the proportion of residents providing higher levels of unpaid care.

What steps his Department is taking to support parents who have experienced baby loss in Surrey Heath constituency.

Experiencing pregnancy or baby loss can be extremely difficult and traumatic. We are determined to make sure all bereaved parents, regardless of where they live, have access to compassionate care and support. We recognise that more support for parents is needed and are making steady improvements.Surrey Heath residents who lose a baby can access a midwifery bereavement service provided by Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, available seven days a week.Specialist community perinatal and maternal mental health services, including the Forget Me Not service, are also available for people who require them. More information on this service is available at the following link:https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/mental-health-and-wellbeing/forget-me-not-service/All trusts in England are signed up to the National Bereavement Care Pathway. This pathway is designed to improve the quality and consistency of bereavement care for parents and families experiencing pregnancy or baby loss.In February 2024, the Department launched the Baby Loss Certificate service, which is a voluntary scheme to enable parents who have experienced any pre-24-week pregnancy loss to record and receive a certificate to provide recognition of their loss if they wish to do so.As of June 2025, Maternal Mental Health Services are now available in all areas of England. These services provide specialist psychological support for women with moderate/severe or complex mental health difficulties arising from birth trauma or baby loss.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mental health support available to parents who have experienced baby loss in Surrey Heath constituency.

Spending on specialist community perinatal mental health services continues to increase every year. The latest National Health Service figures show that integrated care boards spent £212 million in 2024/25, which is an increase of £18 million over the £194 million spent in 2023/24. We recognise that more support for parents is needed and are making steady improvements. Bereavement services operating seven days a week are being set up in every area in England to support women and families who experience pregnancy loss or neonatal death. Additionally, in February 2024, the Department launched the baby loss certificate service, which is a voluntary scheme to enable parents who have experienced any pre-24-week pregnancy loss to record and receive a certificate to provide recognition of their loss if they wish to do so.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) provide treatment for people with secondary breast cancer in Surrey Heath constituency.

It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including secondary breast cancer, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes for all patients across England, including in the Surrey Heath constituency.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) evaluates all new licensed medicines and makes recommendations on whether they should be routinely funded by the NHS based on their costs and benefits. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE. Since April 2018, NICE has recommended 24 of the 25 breast cancer medicines it has evaluated, and they are now available for the treatment of NHS patients.To assess the adequacy of existing treatment options for people with secondary breast cancer, NHS England funded an audit into primary and metastatic breast cancer. Using routine data collected on patients diagnosed in an NHS setting, the audit brings together information to look at what is being done well, where it’s being done well, and what needs to be done better. The audit was published on 12 September 2024, by the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre, and the NHS is now acting on the findings.To further support people with cancer, including people with secondary breast cancer in the Surrey Heath constituency, NHS England has committed to ensuring that every person diagnosed with cancer has access to personalised care. This includes needs assessments, a care plan, and health and wellbeing information and support. Through the provision of information, personalised care empowers people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer. This approach ensures that each person’s care is planned holistically, covering mental and physical health, as well as any practical or financial concerns.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of dementia care services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Under the 10 Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for frailty and dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.The standard operating procedures of the Surrey Heath Older Adults Mental Health Services, which includes memory clinics, have been reviewed and found to meet the requirements of facilitating appropriate referral routes and service inclusion criteria. Improvement work is also in progress to enhance dementia training and access to specialist support for staff on the Surrey and Borders Partnership National Health Service Foundation Trust’s older adult mental health ward dealing with dementia at the Meadows Unit.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing funding for research into secondary breast cancer in Surrey Heath constituency.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why 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).Cancer is one of the NIHR’s largest areas of spend at over £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority. These investments are pivotal towards efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health trial is an important example of this. In February 2025 the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The trial is backed by £11 million of Government support via the NIHR, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-leading-ai-trial-to-tackle-breast-cancer-launchedAdditionally, the Frimley Park Integrated Care System, located within the constituency mentioned, is part of the NIHR’s Research Delivery Network, and they play a key role in supporting the delivery of research, including secondary breast cancer.The level of funding for research generally depends on funding applications received. The NIHR continues to welcome high quality, high impact funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including secondary breast cancer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing funding for dementia care services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Under the 10 Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for frailty and dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.The standard operating procedures of the Surrey Heath Older Adults Mental Health Services, which includes memory clinics, have been reviewed and found to meet the requirements of facilitating appropriate referral routes and service inclusion criteria. Improvement work is also in progress to enhance dementia training and access to specialist support for staff on the Surrey and Borders Partnership National Health Service Foundation Trust’s older adult mental health ward dealing with dementia at the Meadows Unit.

What steps his Department is taking to support men with prostate cancer in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for men with prostate cancer across England, including in the Surrey Heath constituency. The Government understands that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for all people with prostate cancer, including in the Surrey Heath constituency.The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, including Surrey Heath, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

What steps his Department is taking to improve funding for prostate cancer research in Surrey Heath constituency.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Cancer is one of the largest areas of spend at over £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.These investments are pivotal towards efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes. The TRANSFORM trial is an important example of this. In November 2023, the Government and Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) announced the £42 million TRANSFORM screening trial to find the best way to screen men for prostate cancer, to find it before it becomes advanced and harder to treat. PCUK is leading the development of the trial, with the Government contributing £16 million through the Department.Additionally, the Frimley Park Integrated Care System, located within the constituency, is part of the NIHR Research Delivery Network, and plays a key role in supporting the delivery of research, including into prostate cancer.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including prostate cancer.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of prostate cancer treatment in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for men with prostate cancer across England, including in the Surrey Heath constituency. The Government understands that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for all people with prostate cancer, including in the Surrey Heath constituency.The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, including Surrey Heath, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

What steps his Department is taking to improve access to NHS dental care for patients unable to register with a local practice in Surrey Heath constituency.

Patients in England are not registered with a National Health Service dental practice, although many NHS dental practices do tend to see patients regularly. There is no geographical restriction on which practice a patient may attend. Some dental practices may operate local waiting list arrangements.The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most.The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Surrey Heath constituency, this is the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB. ICBs have been asked to start making extra urgent dental appointments available from April 2025. The Surrey Heartlands ICB is expected to deliver 6,585 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.As a first step to reforming the dental contract, we are consulting on a package of changes to improve access to, and improve the quality of, NHS dentistry, which will deliver improved care for the diverse oral health needs of people across England. A link to the consultation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reformsThe consultation was launched on 8 July 2025 and will close on 19 August 2025.