Written questions by Coutinho.

If he will instruct NHS England to withdraw Annex B to the guidance entitled Delivering same-sex accommodation, updated on 24 April 2025.

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

Whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

The Department regularly reviews its policies and guidance to ensure they remain legally compliant and consistent with evolving case law. This includes reviewing its Gender Identity and Intersex policy package following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025]. The Department also engages with its arms-length bodies to ensure their internal policies align with statutory obligations and relevant judicial rulings.

Whether he has made an estimate of the number of NHS Trusts with policies on staff toilets and changing facilities that are incompatible with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

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

How many times Ministers in his Department have met with representatives of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the last 12 months.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The NMC is independent of Government, directly accountable to Parliament and is responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees the bodies that regulate health and care professionals in the UK, which includes the NMC. As the Minister of State for Health (Secondary Care), I monitor the NMC’s performance and meet with the organisation regularly. In line with the Ministerial Code, details of all ministerial meetings, including those with the NMC, are published quarterly on the GOV.UK website at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-overseas-travel-and-meetings

Which Minister has responsibility for oversight of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The NMC is independent of Government, directly accountable to Parliament and is responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees the bodies that regulate health and care professionals in the UK, which includes the NMC. As the Minister of State for Health (Secondary Care), I monitor the NMC’s performance and meet with the organisation regularly. In line with the Ministerial Code, details of all ministerial meetings, including those with the NMC, are published quarterly on the GOV.UK website at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-overseas-travel-and-meetings

How many hours of staff time are taken up by the average Nursing and Midwifery Council disciplinary process.

The Department does not hold this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.All registered health and social care professions in the UK pay an annual registration fee to their regulatory body. Registrant fees are used to fund the NMC's operations, including its fitness to practise processes. Being funded by registrant fees enables the NMC to maintain its independence, allowing it to take action if it identifies risks to patient safety or the public’s confidence in the profession.

What the average cost to the public purse is of a Nursing and Midwifery Council disciplinary process.

The Department does not hold this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.All registered health and social care professions in the UK pay an annual registration fee to their regulatory body. Registrant fees are used to fund the NMC's operations, including its fitness to practise processes. Being funded by registrant fees enables the NMC to maintain its independence, allowing it to take action if it identifies risks to patient safety or the public’s confidence in the profession.

What the average length of time taken is for the Nursing and Midwifery Council to resolve a disciplinary complaint.

The Department does not hold this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.All registered health and social care professions in the UK pay an annual registration fee to their regulatory body. Registrant fees are used to fund the NMC's operations, including its fitness to practise processes. Being funded by registrant fees enables the NMC to maintain its independence, allowing it to take action if it identifies risks to patient safety or the public’s confidence in the profession.

When his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation entitled NHS Constitution: 10 year review, which closed in June 2024.

In May 2024, the Department consulted on a series of proposed updates to the NHS Constitution as part of the 10-year review. We appreciate the time and care spent by everyone who contributed to the consultation at the time. Following the General Election in 2024, the Department is considering next steps and will provide an update shortly.

When his Department plans to respond to the suggested guidance on single-sex spaces in the NHS drafted by the Darlington Nurses Union.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care met with five nurses from the Darlington Nursing Union last month, to hear about their concerns regarding single-sex spaces for staff in National Health Service hospitals Since the meeting the nurses have shared correspondence setting out suggested policy on single-sex spaces for staff in the NHS. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will reply at the earliest opportunity. The Government is clear that everybody deserves to feel safe and to be treated with respect at work.