Written questions by Jones.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate liquid solution from the medicine market on to patients with adrenal insufficiency.

The Department is aware of the discontinuation of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate 100mg/1ml solution for injection and we continue to work with industry to find a longer-term solution.Hydrocortisone sodium succinate 100mg powder remains available for patients. We have issued comprehensive management guidance to healthcare professionals on how to manage patients while supply is disrupted. The guidance highlighted the differences between the two hydrocortisone injections. It also included resources for patients and healthcare professionals on how to administer the alternative hydrocortisone injection. We also understand that the Addison’s Disease Self Help Group have also published information on this discontinuation to keep patients informed along with resources for patients on how to administer the alternative hydrocortisone.

With reference to action 9 on page 76 of his Department's document entitled National Cancer Plan for England, published on 4 February 2026, what progress he has made on assessing novel procurement routes for diagnostics and treatments for rare cancers, including brain tumours; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure timely adoption and rollout of approved diagnostic innovations.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for people with rare and less common cancers, including brain tumours, and to ensuring that patients benefit from effective innovations as quickly and safely as possible.The Department is working with NHS England to consider how procurement approaches can better support earlier access to diagnostics and treatments for rare cancers, including for brain tumours. The plan sets out that we will explore new procurement routes in 2026 and we will publish an annual report on progress against the commitments in the National Cancer Plan.To support timely adoption and rollout of approved diagnostic innovations, NHS England is strengthening cancer pathways and making greater use of digital tools to identify bottlenecks and delays. This includes expanding the use of the Federated Data Platform to all trusts to support clinicians and operational teams to consolidate multiple frontline operational systems into a single view, facilitating more effective and efficient clinical and operational decisions.The Department is also supporting the deployment of diagnostic innovations through national investment, including focusing the £21 million AI Diagnostic Fund on the deployment of technologies in key, high-demand areas such as chest X-Ray and chest CT scans to enable faster diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in over half of acute trusts in England.NHS England will continue to work with Regions and Cancer Alliances to support providers to adopt effective innovations and to improve pathway performance, including targeted support for challenged trusts and pathways.

With reference his Department's press release entitled NHS patients to get quicker tests and scans closer to home, published on 13 April 2026, whether teenagers and young adults will have access to diagnostic services at new and expanded Community Diagnostic Centres; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that diagnostic pathways at these Centres are appropriate for patients aged 13–25.

The Department is committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to bring down the size of the list and reduce waiting times. The Department also recognises that teenagers and young adults require age-appropriate care, regarding diagnosis, treatment and wider support.In April 2026, the Department announced its plan to open four new community diagnostic centres during 2026/27. The Department also announced a further 32 centres, which will be expanded and improved with new scanning equipment, outpatient clinic space and testing facilities. The 36 centres, backed by a £237 million Government investment, will significantly boost NHS diagnostic capacity and deliver more care in local communities, including for teenagers and young adults.

With reference to page 74 of his Department's document entitled National Cancer Plan for England, published on 4 February 2026, what progress he has made on implementing action 4 in the Rare and less common cancers section; whether his Department has a timeline to introduce the regular publication of data on the occurrence of the emergency diagnoses of non‑stageable cancers, including blood and brain cancers; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including such data into early diagnosis performance metrics.

The National Cancer Plan for England sets out a comprehensive ten-year strategy to transform cancer outcomes across the country. Rare and Less Common Cancers have been prioritised through the National Cancer Plan, to drive forward progress for cancers that have previously been neglected.To meet its obligations for rare cancers, the Government will appoint a new national clinical lead for rare cancers.  This national clinical lead will have a clear mandate to speak up for rare cancers, and to provide clinical advice and support for the delivery of the actions in the plan.Brain and some blood cancers such as leukaemia cannot be staged in the same way as other cancers and are therefore not included in current early‑diagnosis measures. However, the Plan commits to publishing regular data on the number of these cancers diagnosed in emergency settings, as a proxy for late or ineffective diagnosis. Moreover, adding this to the basket of early diagnosis metrics we prioritise will help incentivise systems and providers to focus on earlier diagnosis of blood and brain cancers. This will happen across the lifetime of the plan.Across the life of the National Cancer Plan, Ministers will publish an annual summary of progress, along with a more in-depth report after three years to assess where the plan may need updating and refreshing.

With reference to page 28 of his Department's document entitled National Cancer Plan for England, published on 4 February 2026, what progress he has made on the development and implementation of multi‑cancer early detection tests; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of evaluating and integrating blood‑based biomarker tests and other non‑invasive diagnostic tools for earlier detection of brain tumours.

The Department will continue to implement the actions set out in the National Cancer Plan, including supporting the development and adoption of multi-cancer early detection tests and other non-invasive diagnostic tools.Whilst the 10-Year Health Plan anticipated a breakthrough within the next five years, any new screening test must be subject to review by the UK National Screening Committee, to prove safety, efficacy and value before it can become part of a national screening program. We will prioritise further efforts to research and evaluate effective diagnostic tools and tests for rare cancers, including brain cancer, using multi-cancer early detection tests and other non-invasive diagnostic tests.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 116006 on Vitamin D: Dietary Supplements, what interim measures he is taking to tackle Vitamin D deficiency rates in black and Asian populations prior to the analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.

The Government is not currently planning to introduce any targeted vitamin D measures. Any further risk management approaches will be considered once the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition has completed reviewing the evidence on vitamin D requirements for people with higher melanin concentrations and made recommendations.Government recommendations on vitamin D are publicised via the NHS.UK website and the Department's social marketing campaigns Better Health, Healthier Families, and Best Start in Life. These channels help ensure that at-risk groups, for example people who have an African, African-Caribbean, or South Asian background, as well as the general population, are aware of the importance of vitamin D supplementation.

What steps he is taking to help encourage the use of community-based rehabilitation in the treatment of alcohol and substance use and addiction.

The Government is committed to ensuring that anyone with a drug or alcohol problem can access the help and support they need, and we recognise the need for evidence-based, high-quality treatment.Local authorities are responsible for assessing local need for alcohol and drug prevention and treatment in their area and for commissioning services to meet these needs. Through the Public Health Grant, we are providing local authorities with £3.4 billion in ringfenced funding over the next three years for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. This first multi-year settlement in over a decade gives local authorities the certainty to plan and invest for the medium term.Additionally, the Department provides guidance and support to improve outcomes, for example last year we launched a self-assessment toolkit to help local areas to improve residential drug and alcohol treatment, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/residential-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-self-assessment-toolkitThe Department also maintains regular engagement with commissioners and providers and works closely with other Government departments to improve pathways into treatment and foster recovery.

Pursuant to the answer of 3rd March 2026 to question 115687, if he will ask Baroness Amos to consider the potential merits of appointing a Maternity Commissioner in the course of the Independent National Investigation into maternity and neonatal care.

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation is independent, with the investigation’s terms of reference allowing Baroness Amos, in her role as Chair, to make recommendations as she sees fit.The independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation is bringing together the findings from past reviews, from local investigations of maternity and neonatal services in selected trusts, and evidence from families and staff, and will develop and publish one clear national set of recommendations.Baroness Amos and her team have met with hundreds of families as part of the local investigations, and a national call for evidence for women, families, and staff has recently concluded. Her final report will be published in June.

Whether specialist multidisciplinary teams and designated centres of excellence will be given clear guidance and authority to prescribe off-label treatments supported by genomic evidence and aligned with patient preference for patients with rare cancers.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are working to deliver the Government’s ambitions, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, to streamline regulation and market access. This closer collaboration will enable parallel decisions on licensing and value, reducing time to patient access by three to six months.NICE’s established health technology appraisal processes allow a range of evidence to be considered, and tumour‑agnostic therapies such as pembrolizumab, reference code TA914, have already been licensed and recommended for National Health Service patients. Further treatments are expected to progress through aligned MHRA and NICE pathways.The Department has commissioned the Royal College of Radiologists to review multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, focusing on practical actions to improve efficiency and speed access to treatment. The review will report in summer 2026, with new guidance to follow in spring 2027.To improve outcomes for people with rare cancers, Cancer Alliances will assess variation in treatment pathways, including access to specialist MDTs, to support more consistent care and greater use of expertise in centres of excellence. Prescribers remain responsible for treatment decisions, working with patients and using relevant evidence and guidance. Clinicians may prescribe medicines off‑label where this is in the patient’s best interests and subject to local NHS funding arrangements.

Whether the joint accelerated approvals pathway operated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will enable tumour-agnostic licensing and other NHS access routes to ensure that patients with rare cancers can receive genomically-matched treatments on the NHS.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are working to deliver the Government’s ambitions, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, to streamline regulation and market access. This closer collaboration will enable parallel decisions on licensing and value, reducing time to patient access by three to six months.NICE’s established health technology appraisal processes allow a range of evidence to be considered, and tumour‑agnostic therapies such as pembrolizumab, reference code TA914, have already been licensed and recommended for National Health Service patients. Further treatments are expected to progress through aligned MHRA and NICE pathways.The Department has commissioned the Royal College of Radiologists to review multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, focusing on practical actions to improve efficiency and speed access to treatment. The review will report in summer 2026, with new guidance to follow in spring 2027.To improve outcomes for people with rare cancers, Cancer Alliances will assess variation in treatment pathways, including access to specialist MDTs, to support more consistent care and greater use of expertise in centres of excellence. Prescribers remain responsible for treatment decisions, working with patients and using relevant evidence and guidance. Clinicians may prescribe medicines off‑label where this is in the patient’s best interests and subject to local NHS funding arrangements.

What steps he is taking to help support access to genomically-matched targeted therapies for patients with rare cancers, where genomic testing identifies a suitable option but large-scale clinical trial evidence is unlikely to be generated.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are working to deliver the Government’s ambitions, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, to streamline regulation and market access. This closer collaboration will enable parallel decisions on licensing and value, reducing time to patient access by three to six months.NICE’s established health technology appraisal processes allow a range of evidence to be considered, and tumour‑agnostic therapies such as pembrolizumab, reference code TA914, have already been licensed and recommended for National Health Service patients. Further treatments are expected to progress through aligned MHRA and NICE pathways.The Department has commissioned the Royal College of Radiologists to review multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, focusing on practical actions to improve efficiency and speed access to treatment. The review will report in summer 2026, with new guidance to follow in spring 2027.To improve outcomes for people with rare cancers, Cancer Alliances will assess variation in treatment pathways, including access to specialist MDTs, to support more consistent care and greater use of expertise in centres of excellence. Prescribers remain responsible for treatment decisions, working with patients and using relevant evidence and guidance. Clinicians may prescribe medicines off‑label where this is in the patient’s best interests and subject to local NHS funding arrangements.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110574 on Vitamin D: Deficiency Diseases, whether the rapid review by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition will assess optimal vitamin D dosing levels for people with higher melanin concentration.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is currently conducting a rapid review of whether current vitamin D recommendations for vitamin D intake and status are adequate for people with higher melanin concentrations. The vitamin D working group is reviewing relevant evidence and discussions are ongoing. In line with the usual SACN process, minutes of the SACN vitamin D working group meetings, along with minutes of all SACN meetings, are published on the SACN’s website. The SACN aims to publish conclusions of the review later in 2026. Ministers are informed of SACN publications and risk assessments and receive separate advice on potential subsequent policy options.For people at risk of not receiving enough vitamin D during the summer months we recommend they consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year. Advice is available on the National Health Service website for everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, to consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter. Our focus is on ensuring that vitamin D policy prioritises interventions with the greatest public health impact. We have therefore not assessed the merits of workplace-based vitamin supplementation programmes and are not currently planning any additional action to introduce targeted vitamin D supplementation programmes. Any further risk management approaches will be considered once SACN has completed reviewing the evidence and made recommendations for people with higher melanin concentrations.The National Diet and Nutrition Survey is designed to provide data on the diet and nutrition of the general United Kingdom population. The survey design means that oversampling of ethnic minority groups is challenging. However, a recent increase in the number of blood samples collected annually in the survey means we expect to be able to analyse and report vitamin D status by ethnicity by combining data collected from 2024 to 2029.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110577 on Vitamin D: Dietary Supplements, whether he plans to introduce targeted oversampling of Black and Asian populations to allow accelerated analysis by ethnicity of groups at higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is currently conducting a rapid review of whether current vitamin D recommendations for vitamin D intake and status are adequate for people with higher melanin concentrations. The vitamin D working group is reviewing relevant evidence and discussions are ongoing. In line with the usual SACN process, minutes of the SACN vitamin D working group meetings, along with minutes of all SACN meetings, are published on the SACN’s website. The SACN aims to publish conclusions of the review later in 2026. Ministers are informed of SACN publications and risk assessments and receive separate advice on potential subsequent policy options.For people at risk of not receiving enough vitamin D during the summer months we recommend they consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year. Advice is available on the National Health Service website for everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, to consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter. Our focus is on ensuring that vitamin D policy prioritises interventions with the greatest public health impact. We have therefore not assessed the merits of workplace-based vitamin supplementation programmes and are not currently planning any additional action to introduce targeted vitamin D supplementation programmes. Any further risk management approaches will be considered once SACN has completed reviewing the evidence and made recommendations for people with higher melanin concentrations.The National Diet and Nutrition Survey is designed to provide data on the diet and nutrition of the general United Kingdom population. The survey design means that oversampling of ethnic minority groups is challenging. However, a recent increase in the number of blood samples collected annually in the survey means we expect to be able to analyse and report vitamin D status by ethnicity by combining data collected from 2024 to 2029.

Whether he has assessment the potential merits of workplace-based vitamin D supplementation programmes as a mechanism to reach populations at higher risk of deficiency.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is currently conducting a rapid review of whether current vitamin D recommendations for vitamin D intake and status are adequate for people with higher melanin concentrations. The vitamin D working group is reviewing relevant evidence and discussions are ongoing. In line with the usual SACN process, minutes of the SACN vitamin D working group meetings, along with minutes of all SACN meetings, are published on the SACN’s website. The SACN aims to publish conclusions of the review later in 2026. Ministers are informed of SACN publications and risk assessments and receive separate advice on potential subsequent policy options.For people at risk of not receiving enough vitamin D during the summer months we recommend they consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year. Advice is available on the National Health Service website for everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, to consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter. Our focus is on ensuring that vitamin D policy prioritises interventions with the greatest public health impact. We have therefore not assessed the merits of workplace-based vitamin supplementation programmes and are not currently planning any additional action to introduce targeted vitamin D supplementation programmes. Any further risk management approaches will be considered once SACN has completed reviewing the evidence and made recommendations for people with higher melanin concentrations.The National Diet and Nutrition Survey is designed to provide data on the diet and nutrition of the general United Kingdom population. The survey design means that oversampling of ethnic minority groups is challenging. However, a recent increase in the number of blood samples collected annually in the survey means we expect to be able to analyse and report vitamin D status by ethnicity by combining data collected from 2024 to 2029.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110574 on Vitamin D: Deficiency Diseases, what his planned timeline is for the rapid review by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition of vitamin D requirements for people with higher melanin concentration; and whether he plans to issue interim guidance to at-risk populations.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is currently conducting a rapid review of whether current vitamin D recommendations for vitamin D intake and status are adequate for people with higher melanin concentrations. The vitamin D working group is reviewing relevant evidence and discussions are ongoing. In line with the usual SACN process, minutes of the SACN vitamin D working group meetings, along with minutes of all SACN meetings, are published on the SACN’s website. The SACN aims to publish conclusions of the review later in 2026. Ministers are informed of SACN publications and risk assessments and receive separate advice on potential subsequent policy options.For people at risk of not receiving enough vitamin D during the summer months we recommend they consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year. Advice is available on the National Health Service website for everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, to consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter. Our focus is on ensuring that vitamin D policy prioritises interventions with the greatest public health impact. We have therefore not assessed the merits of workplace-based vitamin supplementation programmes and are not currently planning any additional action to introduce targeted vitamin D supplementation programmes. Any further risk management approaches will be considered once SACN has completed reviewing the evidence and made recommendations for people with higher melanin concentrations.The National Diet and Nutrition Survey is designed to provide data on the diet and nutrition of the general United Kingdom population. The survey design means that oversampling of ethnic minority groups is challenging. However, a recent increase in the number of blood samples collected annually in the survey means we expect to be able to analyse and report vitamin D status by ethnicity by combining data collected from 2024 to 2029.

With reference to Action 21 of the National Cancer Plan, what appointment process will be used to select the independent representative who will co chair the reformed National Cancer Board.

The National Cancer Plan, published on the 4 February 2026, sets out several commitments and ambitions, to be delivered within the next 10 years. The role of the reformed National Cancer Board will be to support and monitor the delivery of the commitments and ambitions and provide regular updates to ministers.The board will be co-chaired by the Director General for Planned Care in the Department and an independent representative.It is important to choose the most suitable appointment process for selecting an independent representative to co-chair the board. Officials from NHS England and the Department are carefully following the required public appointments procedures.The reformed National Cancer Board will be established once a co-chair is appointed.

With reference to Action 21 of the National Cancer Plan, when his Department expects the reformed National Cancer Board to be established.

The National Cancer Plan, published on the 4 February 2026, sets out several commitments and ambitions, to be delivered within the next 10 years. The role of the reformed National Cancer Board will be to support and monitor the delivery of the commitments and ambitions and provide regular updates to ministers.The board will be co-chaired by the Director General for Planned Care in the Department and an independent representative.It is important to choose the most suitable appointment process for selecting an independent representative to co-chair the board. Officials from NHS England and the Department are carefully following the required public appointments procedures.The reformed National Cancer Board will be established once a co-chair is appointed.

How much of the £70 million allocated in the Autumn Budget 2024 for new linear accelerator (LINAC) machines has been spent to date; how many new LINAC machines have been procured with that funding; what is the location of those new LINAC machines; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those deployments on the level of patient care.

The £70 million investment is in the process of being spent, machines have been ordered, and they are being rolled out across the country, with some treating patients already. These 28 new, cutting-edge machines will reduce waiting times and provide 15% more treatments allowing 27,500 extra patients to be treated every year. This means more equal access and better outcomes for cancer patients across England.The new radiotherapy machines are located at: Addenbrooke’s Hospital; Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital; Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre at Bristol Royal Infirmary; Charing Cross Hospital; The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, in the Withington Site; Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, in the Liverpool Site; Colchester General Hospital; Derriford Hospital; Freeman Hospital; Guy’s Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital; Hereford County Hospital; James Cook University Hospital; Kent and Canterbury Hospital; Lincoln County Hospital; North Middlesex University Hospital; Northampton General Hospital; Nottingham City Hospital; Royal Berkshire Hospital; Royal Cornwall Hospital; Royal Derby Hospital; Royal Marsden Hospital, in Sutton, Surrey; Royal Preston Hospital; Royal Surrey Hospital; Southend University Hospital; St Bartholomew’s Hospital; University College Hospital; Weston Park Cancer Centre; and Worcestershire Royal Hospital. In addition, four trusts, namely University Hospitals Birmingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, Southend, and Hereford and Gloucestershire, have received a contribution towards the cost of bunker refurbishment.

With reference to page 75 of the policy paper entitled A National Cancer Plan for England: delivering world class cancer care, whether it is his policy that patients with rare cancers should be offered targeted and personalised therapies where genomic testing identifies a suitable potential treatment.

The National Cancer Plan, published on 4 February 2026, sets out clear actions to expand diagnostic genomic testing and ensure that this is matched by access to targeted therapies. The plan confirms that every cancer patient who would benefit from genomic testing, including those with rare cancers, will receive it within a clinically relevant timeframe.To support timely access to treatments identified through genomic testing, a new joint National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency process from April 2026 will accelerate licensing and appraisal so that National Health Service funding recommendations can be made more quickly. The expansion of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service will also help identify suitable targeted therapies, connect patients to clinical trials faster, and integrate genomic data into the Single Patient Record by 2028.With reference to page 75 of the National Cancer Plan, it is Government policy that patients with rare cancers should benefit from personalised and targeted therapies where genomic testing identifies a suitable option. The plan also strengthens specialist multidisciplinary teams for rare cancers so that patients can access expertise from specialist centres and the most up‑to‑date evidence‑based treatments.

What provision the National Cancer Plan will make for orphan drug pathways for patients with rare cancers requiring personalised treatment plans; and how those pathways will differ from existing commissioning arrangements.

On 4 February 2026, NHS England and the Department published a National Cancer Plan for England. The National Cancer Plan is part of our work to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and will make England a world-leader for cancer survival.The orphan drug designation is assessed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and is granted at the same time as the marketing authorisation. It provides a period of market exclusivity during which similar competitor medicines cannot enter the United Kingdom market. The orphan drug regulations are designed to support the development of medicines to treat rare diseases including rare cancers.All new licensed medicines, including orphan medicines, are evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which makes recommendations for the NHS on whether they represent a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources. NICE aims wherever possible to issue recommendations on new medicines close to the time of licensing, and the NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE. NICE has a strong track record in recommending orphan medicines for use on the NHS and many thousands of patients with rare diseases have benefitted from access to new medicines as a result.The Rare Cancers Bill, currently going through the House of Lords, places a duty on the Government to publish a review of the law related to marketing authorisation for rare cancer drugs, for instance orphan drugs for cancer, comparing the UK’s approach to other approaches internationally. Through the National Cancer Plan the Government has committed to full implement of the Rare Cancers Bill to streamline trial pathways and review regulatory barriers that prevent access to promising new treatments.