Written questions by Maynard.

Whether he plans to reinstate Covid-safe measures in healthcare settings, including FFP3 masks, improved ventilation and HEPA filtration.

Awaiting answer.

If there will be a resumption of Covid surveillance by UKHSA and devolved health authorities as a result of the Covid enquiry.

Awaiting answer.

If there is ring-fenced dedicated funding for Long Covid services and renewed, adequately funded research in to Long Covid.

Awaiting answer.

If there are any plans for a public health messaging campaign to publicise the fact that Long Covid exists and, at the last count, 1.9 million people in the UK are still suffering.

Awaiting answer.

Why the current level of funding for research into kidney disease is so low, particularly in comparison with that available for cancer research.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department’s has plans to remove of hospitals, public governors and staff governors.

The removal of the councils of governors from National Health Service foundation trusts (FTs) forms part of the wider 10-Year Health Plan’s aim to ensure hospitals put patient experiences and outcomes at the heart of their decision-making. This will require primary legislation, which the Government will bring forward when parliamentary time allows, and the will of Parliament. Until then, FT governors will remain in post with their statutory powers unchanged.While governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some FTs, we now need to move to a more dynamic model, drawing on patient, staff, and stakeholder insight. For example, approaches to engagement that better reflect local demographics and geography rather than a ‘one size fits all’ governor model, as well as supporting an increased focus on the outcomes of the engagement, including the evidence that local people are involved in key decisions about how care is provided and their voices are listened to.

What ‘more dynamic’ solutions his Department plans to replace public governors and staff governors with.

The removal of the councils of governors from National Health Service foundation trusts (FTs) forms part of the wider 10-Year Health Plan’s aim to ensure hospitals put patient experiences and outcomes at the heart of their decision-making. This will require primary legislation, which the Government will bring forward when parliamentary time allows, and the will of Parliament. Until then, FT governors will remain in post with their statutory powers unchanged.While governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some FTs, we now need to move to a more dynamic model, drawing on patient, staff, and stakeholder insight. For example, approaches to engagement that better reflect local demographics and geography rather than a ‘one size fits all’ governor model, as well as supporting an increased focus on the outcomes of the engagement, including the evidence that local people are involved in key decisions about how care is provided and their voices are listened to.

What steps he has taken to ensure the whole population, particularly those who are not natural users of smartphones, are able to access and use the services from the NHS app by 2028.

The Government is committed to delivering digital services that are accessible to all patients and has established a national change programme to ensure the NHS App is accessible to the whole population by 2028, including those who do not routinely use smartphones. As part of its 10-Year Health Plan, the Government has tasked National Health Service integrated care boards and providers with mitigating any digital exclusion through operational guidance, proactively offering NHS App communications while maintaining high quality non-digital options such as letters, phone, and face to face contact. Furthermore, the NHS App is co-designed and tested with people from deprived and inclusion groups, including blind and visually impaired users, as well as people with low digital confidence. Practical support is being expanded through public libraries, where NHS App guidance and staff support are provided, alongside training for frontline NHS staff and an NHS App Ambassadors programme that runs sessions in general practices, libraries, and community centres across England. Of course, the NHS App is also accessible through the NHS website.

Whether he has met with the Chief Executive of the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing to discuss the potential impact of gaps in community nursing services on levels of patient safety.

We welcome the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing’s (QICN’s) continued engagement in informing planning and solutions to address capacity gaps, following our 10 Year Workforce Plan call for evidence. The Minister of State for Health is planning to meet the QICN.The Government recognises the essential role of district nurses and wider community nursing teams in delivering high-quality care closer to home, preventing avoidable hospital admissions, and supporting people to live well in their communities. We are committed to strengthening the community nursing workforce and ensuring services are equipped to meet rising demand and increasing clinical complexity.The Government is working with NHS England and professional organisations, including the QICN and the Royal College of Nursing, as we implement the ambition of the 10-year plan to deliver more care outside hospital and build neighbourhood teams. The 10 Year Workforce Plan and the Professional Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery will set out how we will build the multi-professional teams we need to deliver that ambition and ensure we have the workforce with the right skills to meet population need.

What number of bonus payments to community pharmacies for reaching the 20 and 30 target for consultations were paid in (a) April, (b) May and (b) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of community pharmacies reaching the threshold for Pharmacy First bonus payments.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What number of pharmacy first consultations have been recorded for (a) April , (b) May and (c) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What form of impact assessment on pharmacies was carried out prior to changing the payment claim window for pharmacy first services from 3 months to five days.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

How many bonus payments were made to community pharmacies under the Pharmacy First scheme for reaching (a) 20-29 and (b) 30 or more clinical pathway consultations in (i) April, (ii) May and (iii) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

How many Pharmacy First consultations were recorded for (a) April, (b) May and (c) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

If he will publish an impact assessment for the decision to change the payment claim window for Pharmacy First services.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of lowering the drug tariff claim window on the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First bonus payments.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What steps he is taking to address the shortage of clinicians working in the prison system; and what impact the shortage of clinicians has on whether inmates receive timely medical attention.

Both the Department and NHS England recognise the impact that clinical staff shortages can have on the timeliness of prisoners receiving medical attention. NHS England’s national health and justice inclusive workforce programme was created to improve the recruitment and retention of a larger, more diverse, inclusive, and representative workforce for all health and justice services and programmes. It provides a wide range of resources to support the regions and providers to increase recruitment and improve retention, as well as various initiatives to address some of the barriers to employment in prison healthcare. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/health-just/the-health-and-justice-inclusive-workforce-programme/ NHS England’s nursing directorate is also undertaking work around nurse perceptions, which is targeted at the future workforce, 11 to 18 year olds, and which includes prison nurses.

What steps he is taking to address the shortage of community nursing services.

The Government recognises the essential role of district nurses and wider community nursing teams in delivering high-quality care closer to home, preventing avoidable hospital admissions, and supporting people to live well in their communities. We are committed to strengthening the community nursing workforce and ensuring services are equipped to meet rising demand and increasing clinical complexity.NHS England supports the development of future district nurses by funding the Specialist Practitioner Qualification either as an apprenticeship or as a full-time course at a higher education institution. The Level 7 District Nursing Specialist Practice Qualification, including the apprenticeship route, provides a sustainable and nationally consistent route into district nursing roles.Alongside this, NHS England has continued to modernise career pathways within community nursing, supporting clear progression from healthcare support worker roles through to advanced and consultant practice. This is helping to retain experienced staff and create attractive, long-term careers in community settings.We are also improving workforce planning through the Community Nursing Safer Staffing Tool. This evidence-based tool supports providers to assess and plan safe and responsive staffing levels, ensuring district nursing teams are resourced appropriately for the needs of their local population.The Government is working with NHS England and professional organisations, including the Queen’s Nursing Institute of Community Nursing and the Royal College of Nursing, as we implement the ambition of the 10-Year Health plan to deliver more care outside hospital and build Neighbourhood Teams.This includes developing principles to help organisations identify, record, and address care and population needs. We are also supporting systems to expand multidisciplinary neighbourhood teams, recognising that contemporary care is delivered by a blend of registered nurses, specialist district nurses, healthcare support workers, allied health professionals, and advanced practitioners. This approach helps manage demand, improves continuity of care, and ensures that people receive the right expertise at the right time.

What steps he is taking to (a) stop and (b) reverse the decline in the numbers of district nurses in the NHS.

The Government recognises the essential role of district nurses and wider community nursing teams in delivering high-quality care closer to home, preventing avoidable hospital admissions, and supporting people to live well in their communities. We are committed to strengthening the community nursing workforce and ensuring services are equipped to meet rising demand and increasing clinical complexity.NHS England supports the development of future district nurses by funding the Specialist Practitioner Qualification either as an apprenticeship or as a full-time course at a higher education institution. The Level 7 District Nursing Specialist Practice Qualification, including the apprenticeship route, provides a sustainable and nationally consistent route into district nursing roles.Alongside this, NHS England has continued to modernise career pathways within community nursing, supporting clear progression from healthcare support worker roles through to advanced and consultant practice. This is helping to retain experienced staff and create attractive, long-term careers in community settings.We are also improving workforce planning through the Community Nursing Safer Staffing Tool. This evidence-based tool supports providers to assess and plan safe and responsive staffing levels, ensuring district nursing teams are resourced appropriately for the needs of their local population.The Government is working with NHS England and professional organisations, including the Queen’s Nursing Institute of Community Nursing and the Royal College of Nursing, as we implement the ambition of the 10-Year Health plan to deliver more care outside hospital and build Neighbourhood Teams.This includes developing principles to help organisations identify, record, and address care and population needs. We are also supporting systems to expand multidisciplinary neighbourhood teams, recognising that contemporary care is delivered by a blend of registered nurses, specialist district nurses, healthcare support workers, allied health professionals, and advanced practitioners. This approach helps manage demand, improves continuity of care, and ensures that people receive the right expertise at the right time.