Written questions by Taylor.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the report by Action on Smoking and Health entitled At risk? Tobacco dependence treatment in the NHS, published on 28 August 2025.

As set out in the 10 Year Health Plan, the Government remains committed to ensuring that all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care. This is an important part of our ambition for a smoke-free United Kingdom. We assess that continued investment into National Health Service tobacco dependence services at a local level is important to realise this ambition. We note the risks highlighted in this report and we will continue to monitor investment of NHS tobacco dependence services.Integrated care boards have access to funding to support the rollout of tobacco dependency treatment services in hospital settings, including acute and mental health inpatient settings and maternity services, within their 2025/26 allocations. Future funding decisions, including any decision to expand tobacco dependency treatment services to additional settings beyond routine care, are subject to the Spending Review process.

When he plans to publish his Department's final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis.

We aim to publish our myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), final delivery plan by the end of June 2025.The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of the people with this debilitating disease. The responses to the interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with other parts of the Government, the National Health Service, and external stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan.

What steps he is taking to ensure the NHS Find a Dentist webpage is up-to-date with showing dentists who have available places for NHS patients in Hertfordshire.

It is a contractual requirement for National Health Service dentists to update their NHS website profiles at least every 90 days to ensure patients have up-to-date information on where they can access care. This includes information on whether they are accepting new patients. Integrated care boards can review which practices in their area have not updated their profile in a 90-day period, and work with practices to ensure websites are up to date.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the number of people in Hertfordshire who do not have access to an NHS dentist on patient wellbeing.

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist, and we want to make sure that everyone who needs a National Health Service dentist can get one. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most.The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Hemel Hempstead constituency, this is the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB.

Whether he plans to continue to fund the financial incentives scheme for pregnant smokers.

The settlement for the National Smoke-free Pregnancy Incentives Scheme will be confirmed in due course.

Whether he plans to continue to fund the swap to stop smoking scheme.

The settlement for the Swap to Stop scheme will be confirmed in due course.

What steps he is taking to improve access to healthcare services in Hertfordshire.

The Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for improving access to healthcare services in Hertfordshire. NHS England has informed us that the ICB is delivering its responsibility to improve support for those in mental health crisis through the launch of a Mental Health Urgent Care Centre, providing a more appropriate and therapeutic environment at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage. The ICB has also increased children and young people’s mental health access by 44% year-on-year, according to the latest data. According to NHS England’s assessment, people across Hertfordshire now have significantly improved access to blood pressure checks across a range of settings, including general practice, community pharmacy, some dental and optometry sites, outpatient departments, and through community services. A purpose-built theatre suite is set to open at St Albans City Hospital in Spring 2025. The ICB states that this will provide non-complex orthopaedic, hip and knee surgery, spinal injections, and ear, nose and throat procedures for approximately 4,400 patients per year, from across the ICB’s area. The 10-Year Health Plan will consider the change needed to meet the three Health Mission goals, those being: a fairer system where everyone lives well for longer; a National Health Service that is there when people need it; and fewer lives lost to the biggest killers.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of funding in his Department's statistics entitled Adult Social Care Activity and Finance Report, England, 2023-24, published on 31 October 2024.

The Adult Social Care Activity Report is published annually by NHS England. This statistics publication is the main data source for our analysis of adult social care expenditure. It includes statistics about overall levels of spending and breaks these down by setting, primary support reason, and age group. It also includes statistics about the unit costs of different types of adult social care.