Written questions by Nichols.

What estimate his Department has made of the health costs caused by AI displacement in the workforce and associated stresses.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate his Department has made of the increased health costs caused by AI displacement in the workforce and associated stresses; and if he will make a statement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that women can access toothpaste that is appropriate for their saliva's ph level.

Toothpaste and other consumer healthcare products are widely available to support a range of oral hygiene needs, including those of women. The main modifiable risk factors for dental caries are diet, consuming too much sugar too often, and lack of optimal fluoride. Managing the intake and frequency of sugar is particularly relevant for the pH of saliva. For caries prevention, it is the application of fluoride in toothpaste that is the most important aspect of brushing, as fluoride helps prevent, control, and arrest caries. Family or standard fluoride toothpaste at 1,350 to 1,500 parts per million fluoride is recommended. Higher strength fluoride toothpaste can be prescribed by a dentist if a patient requires it due to dental caries risk. The evidence for this and related advice for dental teams is set out at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention

If he will publish a delivery plan that includes (a) who is responsible for each of the actions in the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England, (b) when they will be delivered and (c) what the metrics are for determining the effectiveness of the programme.

The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.NHS England will be monitoring and evaluating the success of all the individual activities included with its elimination plan and new initiatives as they are developed and implemented. In addition, the World Health Organisation’s cervical cancer elimination targets will be used as the basis for ongoing monitoring, along with regular assessment of cervical cancer rates.Achieving cervical cancer elimination is a long-term goal that depends on joined up delivery of HPV vaccination and cervical screening programmes at national, regional, and integrated care board (ICB) level.ICBs are well placed to understand the needs of their local populations and work with partners to offer services that meet those needs. They are best positioned to plan vaccination and screening services, using the recommendations set out in the cervical cancer elimination plan.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of self-sampling on reaching under-screened populations for cervical cancer; and what estimate he has made of the uptake of (a) in-clinic and (b) at-home self-sampling options.

The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.As part of this, NHS England is transforming its approach to cervical screening for under-screened women. From early 2026, they will be offered a home testing kit, starting with those who are the most overdue for screening. This will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from life-saving screening.National and international evidence suggests that offering the option of HPV self-testing in under-screened groups could help overcome some of the barriers to taking part in cervical screening, leading to improved participation, and ultimately preventing more cervical cancers and associated deaths.The equality impact assessment on the introduction of human papilloma virus (HPV) self-sampling for the under-screened population in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme can be accessed at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-hpv-self-sampling-impact-assessmentsThe self-testing kits, which detect HPV, allow people to carry out this testing in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.Self-testing specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments, with younger people, ethnic minority communities facing cultural hurdles, people with a disability, and LGBT+ people all set to benefit. Those who are HPV positive on their self-test will need to be followed up with a clinician for a cervical screening test, so it is acknowledged that not all barriers to attendance will be removed with the implementation of self-testing.Therefore, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in participation from groups that are under screened. NHS England will monitor and evaluate the impact of this programme.

How many people are on a waiting list for an ADHD assessment in a) England, b) the North West and c) the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board area.

For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support system to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs. The most recent management information is available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025 Data on ADHD waiting times at an ICB level is not currently held centrally. NHS England intends to publish data at ICB level in 2026/27. NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the taskforce's final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations. The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the NHS fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The purpose of the review is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on evidence on trends in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in the population over the last decade, including how these changes have affected demand for NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services, including assessment.The independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.

What is the average waiting time for an ADHD assessment in a) England, b) the North West and c) the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board area.

For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support system to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs. The most recent management information is available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025 Data on ADHD waiting times at an ICB level is not currently held centrally. NHS England intends to publish data at ICB level in 2026/27. NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the taskforce's final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations. The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the NHS fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The purpose of the review is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on evidence on trends in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in the population over the last decade, including how these changes have affected demand for NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services, including assessment.The independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.

What steps he is taking to ensure equitable access to funding for IVF surrogacy for people post cancer treatment.

Funding decisions for fertility services, including cases where a surrogate may be involved, are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), which are responsible for commissioning services based on the clinical needs of their populations. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines to support fair and consistent access across England.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether its current recommendations for access to National Health Service funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September and closed on 21 October 2025. The outcome of this review will support ICBs in making commissioning decisions that promote equitable access to fertility services, including for those whose fertility has been affected by medical treatment such as cancer.Work continues between the Department and NHS England to analyse the current understanding and provision of NHS funded fertility services and address longstanding variation in access.

When he expects the drug Vorsidenib (Voranigo) to be made available to treat adults and children aged 12 years and over with grade 2 astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma carrying a susceptible IDH1 or IDH2 mutation.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that makes evidence-based recommendations on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE is currently evaluating vorasidenib for treating astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma with IDH1 or IDH2 mutations after surgery in people 12 years old and over.NICE published its draft guidance for consultation on 15 October and was unable to recommend it as a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources. The appraisal is still ongoing, and NICE will take the comments received fully into account in developing its final recommendations. The committee reviewed the consultation comments at the committee meeting on 20 November 2025. NICE currently expect to publish final guidance in January 2026.

What his planned timeline is for the establishment of the naloxone supply network coordinators.

Naloxone is a lifesaving medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, including highly potent synthetic opioids which are growing in prevalence in the United Kingdom. It is more important than ever to increase access to naloxone products, which will save lives.Last year, the Department amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to further expand access to naloxone. The legislation enabled more services and professionals to supply this medication, making it easier to access for people at risk, and for their loved ones.Route 1 of the legislation increased the number of services and professionals specified in regulations who can provide take home naloxone. However, not all services and professions had an agreed statutory definition across the four nations of the UK. As such, route 2 of the legislation set up the legal framework, which includes supply network coordinators, for the creation of a registration service for services and professions who fall outside the definitions listed in route 1 to apply and to be able to provide take home naloxone. These legislative changes were the first step in expanding access to naloxone, which has resulted in naloxone being more readily available to supply in the community. Since these changes came into effect, the Government has worked with the devolved administrations and front-line services to explore the set-up and delivery of this registration service. We have encountered operational difficulties in establishing supply network co-ordinators in England which has delayed implementation. However, we have identified further legislative amendments to increase access to take-home and emergency use naloxone and, as such, we intend to launch a public consultation by the end of this year.The Department has also published guidance, Supplying take home naloxone without a prescription, that sets out essential practical information such as who can supply naloxone, the products available, how to use naloxone and other basic lifesaving tools, and the training required. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supplying-take-home-naloxone-without-a-prescription

When he plans to publish a consultation on access to naloxone.

Naloxone is a lifesaving medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, including highly potent synthetic opioids which are growing in prevalence in the United Kingdom. It is more important than ever to increase access to naloxone products, which will save lives.In 2024, the Department amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. The legislation enabled more services and professionals to supply this medication, making it easier to access for people at risk, and for their loved ones.Since then, the Government has launched a ten-week UK-wide public consultation on further legislative options to expand access to take-home and emergency use naloxone.This a central part of the government’s comprehensive approach to drug and alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery, supported by £3.4 billion of funding delivered through the Public Health Grant over the next three years.The Department has also published guidance, Supplying take home naloxone without a prescription, that sets out essential practical information such as who can supply naloxone, the products available, how to use naloxone and other basic lifesaving tools, and the training required. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supplying-take-home-naloxone-without-a-prescription

What the rate for (a) approval of claims, (b) claims overturned at review and (c) payout has been for the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme since March 2022.

The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) provides a one-off, tax-free payment of £120,000 to claimants who have been found, in rare cases and on the balance of probabilities, to have been severely disabled by certain vaccines for a disease listed in the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979.As of 12 November 2025, data from NHS Business Service Authority (NHSBSA), the administrators of the VDPS, shows that since March 2022 there have been (a) 249 successful claims made through the scheme. Of these 249 successful claims, (b) 31 were as a result of the decision being overturned after review. The 249 successful claims amounted to a total of (c) £29,880,000 in payments.Information on COVID-19 claims to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme is published on a quarterly basis by NHSBSA. Further information is available at the following link:https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19

What steps he is taking to make (a) apheresis and (b) immunoabsorption treatments available for vaccine damage patients when doctors feel it would be beneficial.

In the very rare event where an individual may have suffered a severe adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, care and treatment will be managed by National Health Service local specialist services, augmented as appropriate by national specialist advice, with any treatment dependent on the individual’s clinical needs.The Government remains committed to research to improve the diagnosis and treatment in those rare cases where individuals may have suffered a severe adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine.Since the start of the pandemic, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has allocated more than £110 million of funding for COVID-19 vaccine research, including consideration of issues around vaccine safety. As part of this, the Department commissioned a £1.6 million programme of work through the NIHR, to understand the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome, a rare condition of blood clotting with low platelets following vaccination for COVID-19.

What comparative assessment he has made of approval rates for covid-19 vaccine injury claims in (a) the UK and (b) other jurisdictions for which figures are available.

No specific assessment has been made. All claims made through the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme are assessed on a case-by-case basis by independent medical assessors. Medical assessors must be General Medical Council registered doctors with a licence to practise and at least five years’ experience and must have undertaken specialised training in vaccine damage and disability assessment.Medical assessors will consider the claim form, the clinical research, the epidemiological evidence, the current consensus of expert medical opinion, and the claimant’s full medical records. The assessment, once complete, will then undergo assurance review.

What research his Department is undertaking into side affects of the AstraZenica covid vaccine; through what process his Department are recognising emerging side effects; and if he will make a statement.

Vaccines are only authorised once they have met robust standards of effectiveness, safety, and quality set by the independent medicines’ regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).The monitoring of vaccine safety does not stop once a vaccine has been approved. The MHRA continuously monitors safety data from a range of sources to ensure that the benefits continue to outweigh any risks. This includes reports of adverse events and rare side effects retrieved from the MHRA’s Yellow Card Database, interim and final study reports for clinical trials, post-authorisation safety studies, and data from scientific literature. A dedicated team of assessors reviews this information on a weekly basis to look for safety issues or unexpected, rare events.The Department also commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including for vaccine side effects.Since the start of the pandemic, the NIHR has allocated more than £110 million of funding for COVID-19 vaccine research, including consideration of issues around vaccine safety. As part of this, the Department commissioned a £1.6 million programme of work through the NIHR to understand the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome, a rare condition of blood clotting with low platelets following vaccination for COVID-19. This research was published in July 2025 and is available in the NIHR Journals Library.

What the medical experience requirements are for caseworkers handling vaccine damage payment claims.

Caseworkers supporting the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) are administrative staff who are not involved in the assessment of claims. Their role is to provide claimants with a consistent point of contact, manage the administrative progress of claims, communicate updates, and ensure all necessary documentation is gathered. No medical experience is required for this supportive administrative function.All clinical assessments under the VDPS are conducted solely by medical assessors. Medical assessors are General Medical Council registered doctors who have licences to practise and at least five years' experience and must have undertaken specialised training in vaccine damage and disability assessment.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) approve and (b) fund specialist treatments for AstraZeneca vaccine damage.

In the very rare event where an individual may have suffered a severe adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, care and treatment will be managed by National Health Service local specialist services, augmented as appropriate by national specialist advice, with any treatment dependent on the individual’s clinical needs.The Government remains committed to research to improve the diagnosis and treatment in those rare cases where individuals may have suffered a severe adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine.Since the start of the pandemic, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has allocated more than £110 million of funding for COVID-19 vaccine research, including consideration of issues around vaccine safety. As part of this, the Department commissioned a £1.6 million programme of work through the NIHR, to understand the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome, a rare condition of blood clotting with low platelets following vaccination for COVID-19.

Whether his Department is undertaking research into (a) damage and (b) lasting effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Vaccines are only authorised once they have met robust standards of effectiveness, safety, and quality set by the independent medicines’ regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).The monitoring of vaccine safety does not stop once a vaccine has been approved. The MHRA continuously monitors safety data from a range of sources to ensure that the benefits continue to outweigh any risks. This includes reports of adverse events and rare side effects retrieved from the MHRA’s Yellow Card Database, interim and final study reports for clinical trials, post-authorisation safety studies, and data from scientific literature. A dedicated team of assessors reviews this information on a weekly basis to look for safety issues or unexpected, rare events.The Department also commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including for vaccine side effects.Since the start of the pandemic, the NIHR has allocated more than £110 million of funding for COVID-19 vaccine research, including consideration of issues around vaccine safety. As part of this, the Department commissioned a £1.6 million programme of work through the NIHR to understand the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome, a rare condition of blood clotting with low platelets following vaccination for COVID-19. This research was published in July 2025 and is available in the NIHR Journals Library.

When the database of AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine side effects was last updated.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for monitoring all authorised medicines and vaccines in the United Kingdom, including the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, on an ongoing basis to ensure their benefits continue to outweigh any risks. This monitoring strategy is continuous, proactive, and based on a wide range of information sources, including reports of adverse events and rare side effects retrieved from the Yellow Card Database. A dedicated team of assessors reviews this information on a weekly basis to look for safety issues or unexpected, rare events.The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine no longer has an active market authorisation in the UK, since 2024. Consequently, no additional research activities have been undertaken beyond the ongoing monitoring of reported suspected adverse events through the Yellow Card Scheme. The most recent data extraction of spontaneous suspected adverse reactions reported via the Yellow Card Scheme was conducted on 20 September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/idaps/CHADOX1%20NCOV-19

How often the database of AstraZeneca covid vaccine side effects has been updated in each year since 2020.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for monitoring all authorised medicines and vaccines in the United Kingdom, including the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, on an ongoing basis to ensure their benefits continue to outweigh any risks. This monitoring strategy is continuous, proactive, and based on a wide range of information sources, including reports of adverse events and rare side effects retrieved from the Yellow Card Database. A dedicated team of assessors reviews this information on a weekly basis to look for safety issues or unexpected, rare events.The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine no longer has an active market authorisation in the UK, since 2024. Consequently, no additional research activities have been undertaken beyond the ongoing monitoring of reported suspected adverse events through the Yellow Card Scheme. The most recent data extraction of spontaneous suspected adverse reactions reported via the Yellow Card Scheme was conducted on 20 September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/idaps/CHADOX1%20NCOV-19