Written questions by Johnson.

If he will list the NHS accident and emergency departments currently offering an opt out of (a) HIV, (b) Hepatitis B and (c) Hepatitis C testing to all patients requiring a blood test.

Emergency department opt out testing is currently being offered to all extremely high and high HIV prevalence areas in England until 2026/27. A detailed list of specific sites offering opt-out HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing is in the attached table. Emergency departments not listed in the attached table are not currently offering opt-out testing.The Department, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), and NHS England are working together in the development of a new HIV Action Plan which we aim to publish this year. The plan will include a focus on scaling up HIV testing, including an assessment of the future of opt out testing, based on the programme’s progress and the available data, in line with our 2030 ambition.

What plans he has to extend opt out (a) HIV, (b) Hepatitis B and (c) Hepatitis C testing to all patients requiring a blood test in all NHS accident and emergency departments that do not currently offer it.

Emergency department opt out testing is currently being offered to all extremely high and high HIV prevalence areas in England until 2026/27. A detailed list of specific sites offering opt-out HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing is in the attached table. Emergency departments not listed in the attached table are not currently offering opt-out testing.The Department, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), and NHS England are working together in the development of a new HIV Action Plan which we aim to publish this year. The plan will include a focus on scaling up HIV testing, including an assessment of the future of opt out testing, based on the programme’s progress and the available data, in line with our 2030 ambition.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the provision of female-only health services.

The Department has not made an assessment of the merits of female-only health services. It is for integrated care boards and trusts to commission and deliver services suitable to their local population.Services within the National Health Service are patient centred, and the NHS Constitution is clear that patients have the right to receive care and treatment that is appropriate to them, meets their needs and reflects their preferences.Patients are able to request that intimate care is provided by someone of the same sex. This is recognised through accompanying Care Quality Commission statutory guidance to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. In line with this guidance, we expect that providers will make every reasonable effort to respect patient preferences.The Government remains committed to prioritising women’s health as we build an NHS fit for the future.

What steps he is taking to help improve public awareness of the (a) risk factors (b) transmission and (c) symptoms of leptospirosis.

The UK Health Security Agency publishes standard guidance on the risk factors, transmission, and symptoms of leptospirosis, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leptospirosis#full-publication-update-history.National Health Service guidance is also available, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leptospirosis/.Finally, guidance for workers is available from the Health and Safety Executive, at the following link:https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/harmful-micro-organisms/leptospirosis-weils-disease.htm.

What recent estimate he has made of (a) the number of cases of leptospirosis and (b) the epidemiology of those cases.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes routine surveillance for leptospirosis infections in humans and publishes a quarterly report on the common animal-associated infections, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-animal-associated-infections-2024/common-animal-associated-infections-england-second-quarter-2024#leptospirosisThe following table shows the most recent figures of confirmed cases of leptospirosis in each quarter, from quarter one of 2023 to quarter two of 2024:Quarter20232024Quarter one515Quarter two815Quarter three34N/AQuarter four23N/ATotal70N/ALeptospirosis cases in England show seasonality, with more cases reported in summer and autumn. Many cases diagnosed in England report exposure to potentially contaminated water or direct contact with rodents as the probable source of infection. Reported infections are most common in adult men, likely due to occupational and recreational exposures. However, infection can occur in anyone directly exposed to urine or urine-contaminated environments, regardless of age or sex.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of uncollected rubbish in Birmingham on (a) public health and (b) levels of Weil’s disease.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is closely monitoring the situation in Birmingham.Birmingham City Council is conducting a risk assessment on the potential public health impacts of uncollected waste. The assessment is being led by the Director of Public Health for Birmingham and encompasses a broad range of potential impacts, including risk of infectious diseases, including Weil’s disease.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is part of a multi-agency response Strategic Coordinating Group, led by Birmingham City Council, and has contributed to the risk assessment. UKHSA will continue to provide advice and support to Birmingham City Council as long as is necessary.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on long term public sector borrowing relating to health administration.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation. The transition team will work across NHS England and the Department, bringing together the expertise and experience of both organisations.As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds, including the financial implications of the changes. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) severance payments and (b) redundancy packages for NHS England staff following the abolition of NHS England.

We recognise that there may be some short-term upfront costs as we undertake the integration of NHS England and the Department, but these costs and more will be recouped in future years because of a smaller and leaner centre. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of restructuring administrative functions following NHS England’s abolition.

We recognise that there may be some short-term upfront costs as we undertake the integration of NHS England and the Department, but these costs and more will be recouped in future years because of a smaller and leaner centre. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

How many bilateral mastectomies for gender dysphoria funded by the NHS were performed on patients (a) over 18 years old, (b) under 18 years old and (c) in total in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold this data centrally. This information is held at individual National Health Service provider level.NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Services, which delivers care for those who are under 18, do not make referrals for surgical interventions.

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) his Department, (b) himself and (c) his ministerial team have not received a substantive response in each month since August 2024.

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. The Leader of the House of Commons wrote to all Cabinet members in November to remind ministers of their responsibilities to provide helpful and timely responses to Members' Parliamentary Questions and correspondence.The Department receives some of the highest, and most sensitive, volumes of correspondence. In 2024 alone we received over 65,000 queries, with over 15,000 of those from Hon. Members. Ministerial correspondence performance data by Department is published annually by the Cabinet Office on the GOV.UK website.

What proportion of people with a nursing qualification working in the NHS are not in patient-facing roles.

The Department does not hold the information requested.

What steps he is taking to increase the availability of medical radioisotopes.

Supply of radioisotopes that were in short supply in recent weeks has now returned to normal levels and a Written Ministerial Statement was laid on 26 November 2024 to update Parliament. During the disruption to supply, the Department worked with industry, devolved Governments, the National Health Service, members of the radiopharmaceutical community and regulators to secure fair and equal access across the United Kingdom and ensure that patients with critical needs were given priority.

What the average ambulance response time was for each category in each of the last 24 months.

The following table shows the national mean average ambulance service response times in England, in minutes and broken down by category, in each of the last 24 months:YearMonthCategory 1 meanCategory 2 meanCategory 3 meanCategory 4 mean2022November0:09:260:48:102:42:143:21:432022December0:10:581:32:554:18:164:34:562023January0:08:300:32:061:26:091:48:462023February0:08:300:32:201:42:392:12:242023March0:08:490:39:332:13:392:51:492023April0:08:070:28:331:30:541:54:172023May0:08:170:32:221:46:102:20:152023June0:08:410:36:472:05:382:45:282023July0:08:210:31:491:50:112:21:312023August0:08:170:31:301:45:272:07:182023September0:08:310:37:392:16:042:41:452023October0:08:410:41:432:31:142:51:002023November0:08:310:38:302:16:322:36:572023December0:08:440:45:572:37:122:55:532024January0:08:250:40:062:12:532:42:452024February0:08:250:36:202:04:152:33:062024March0:08:200:33:502:03:472:29:482024April0:08:100:30:221:42:132:03:162024May0:08:160:32:442:00:002:21:112024June0:08:210:34:382:02:342:20:582024July0:08:150:33:252:01:212:21:472024August0:08:030:27:251:30:331:56:102024September0:08:250:36:022:12:542:32:512024October0:08:380:42:152:41:282:57:18Source: the data is published by NHS England, and is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/

What steps he is taking to improve the uptake of routine childhood immunisations.

In England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works closely with NHS England, the Department, and wider health system partners at the national, regional, and local levels to improve uptake of the routine childhood immunisations and catch-up children who missed out.The first UKHSA Childhood Immunisation communication campaign, encouraging parents to ensure their child’s vaccinations were up to date, ran from 4 March until mid-April 2024. The most recent campaign ran from 26 August until 4 October 2024.To raise awareness of potential vaccination benefits and increase awareness of the programmes the UKHSA also provides a comprehensive suite of public facing resources, including information leaflets in multiple languages and accessible formats, for instance easy read, British Sign Language, and braille, and provides comprehensive clinical guidance, including e-learning programmes and training, for healthcare professionals.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of a dental school in Lincolnshire.

It is for individual universities to decide whether they wish to establish a dental school. Before a university, such as the University of Lincoln, can apply to receive Government-funded dental school places, it needs to have met the requirements of the General Dental Council, the Office for Students and obtained “dental authority status” from the Privy Council. The Office for Students has statutory responsibility for allocating dental school places. We will be working with NHS England to assess the need for more dental trainees in areas such as Lincolnshire, where we know that many people are struggling to find a National Health Service dentist.

What proportion of elderly people have received their (a) influenza, (b) RSV and (c) covid-19 vaccination in the last six months.

As of 17 November 2024, 68.7% of those aged 65 years old and over had been vaccinated for influenza, whist 54.2% had been vaccinated for COVID-19.The respiratory syncytial virus adult vaccination programme in England began on 1 September 2024, however only data for the catch-up cohort, adults aged 75 to 79 years old before the programme start date, has been published. As of 30 September, 22.6% of the catch-up cohort had been vaccinated. Further data will be published in due course.

How many (a) people and (b) children are living with long covid.

The most recent data from the Winter Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Study, a joint study carried out by the Office for National Statistics and the UK Health Security Agency, shows that, for the period between 6 February 2024 and 7 March 2024, an estimated 1.8 million people across all ages, or 3.3% of the population, in private households in England, reported experiencing long COVID symptoms more than four weeks after a COVID-19 infection.The data shows that for the same period, an estimated 111,816 or 1% of those aged between three and 17 years old, in private households in England and Scotland, reported experiencing long COVID symptoms more than four weeks after a COVID-19 infection.The data is available at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/datasets/

What estimate he has made of rates of tuberculosis in (a) adults and (b) children in each of the last ten years.

The following table shows the total number and rate of tuberculosis (TB) notifications in England, each year from 2012 to 2024:YearTotal number of notificationsTotal rate per 100,000 (95% Confidence interval)20128,08715.12 (14.79 to 15.45)20137,26613.49 (13.18 to 13.80)20146,47211.92 (11.63 to 12.21)20155,73510.47 (10.20 to 10.74)20165,62010.17 (9.90 to 10.44)20175,0679.11 (8.86 to 9.36)20184,6108.24 (8.00 to 8.48)20194,7048.36 (8.12 to 8.60)20204,1227.29 (7.07 to 7.52)20214,4117.80 (7.57 to 8.04)20224,3807.75 (7.52 to 7.98)20234,850Not available20244155Not availableNotes:for 2023, the provisional data rate is awaited; andfor 2024, data is only available up to September.Data on rates of TB in adults alone is not published. In line with the reporting to the World Health Organisation, children are defined as those aged under 15 years old. The following table shows the number and rate of TB notifications in children in England from 2012 to 2022:YearTotal number of notifications in childrenRate per 100,000 (95% confidence interval)20123964.2 (3.8 to 4.6)20132933.1 (2.7 to 3.4)20142632.7 (2.4 to 3.1)20152152.2 (1.9 to 2.5)20162082.1 (1.8 to 2.4)20171781.8 (1.5 to 2.1)20181471.4 (1.2 to 1.7)20191681.6 (1.4 to 1.9)20201481.4 (1.2 to 1.7)20211271.3 (1.1 to 1.5)20221361.3 (1.1 to 1.6)Provisional data is not subdivided by age, hence the data in the tables is presented up to 2022, where age specific rates are available. TB rates in children have been declining since 2012 and remained stable at 1.3 per 100,000 in 2021 and 2022.TB data for England is published by the UK Health Security Agency, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-in-england-2023-report-data-up-to-end-of-2022Provisional TB data for England is published quarterly, with the latest quarterly reports available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tuberculosis-in-england-national-quarterly-reportsDetailed data for 2023 will be published in the TB in England 2023 annual report.

What steps he is taking to ensure there is an adequate supply of (a) donated blood and (b) blood products.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for the collection, manufacture, and supply of blood and blood products to National Health Service hospitals.The Department provided seed funding in 2023 to support NHSBT to increase its collection capacity. New donor centres will open in Brixton and Brighton in 2025 to increase and diversify the donor base.Since July 2024, NHSBT has been responding to an Amber Alert for O group blood. NHSBT is now meeting the demand for blood and blood products, thanks to increased donations and better management of stock.With respect to blood products, the Department, in conjunction with NHSBT and NHS England, has led a programme to increase self-sufficiency and resilience in life-saving plasma-based medicines, in response to the lifting of the ban on United Kingdom donor plasma in 2021. The first of these medicines will be given to NHS patients in early 2025.NHSBT runs campaigns throughout the year, partners with trusted brands, and funds community groups to promote both donation of blood and blood products, stem cells, and organs.