Written questions by Morello.

What steps he is taking to ensure rehabilitation pathways reflect the differing needs of stroke survivors.

The National Health Service’s integrated community stroke service model (ICSS) describes stroke services that are integrated, specialist, responsive, and of sufficient intensity to meet the needs of the patient. There are three discharge pathways described in the model: to home with no social care required; to home with social care support; and discharge to a care home, which may be considered as a step-down bed. All pathways have access to needs-led rehabilitation. Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of the ICSS.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of wages for general practice nurses.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practitioners how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate that good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) benefits and (b) conditions for general practice nursing staff.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practices (GPs) how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. GP contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on practices with regard to GP nurse terms and conditions. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate that good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.

If he will make it her policy to allocate resources in the Autumn Budget 2025 to support the recruitment and retention of NHS dentists in West Dorset.

The 2025 Autumn Budget has not yet been announced, however access to National Health Service dentistry and addressing the issue of under-served areas remains a priority for the Government.

If he will take steps to ensure parity between pay awards for (a) practice nurses, (b) other primary care staff and (c) staff whose pay is determined by national NHS pay review bodies.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to GP practices how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. General practice contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on GP practices with regard to general practice nurse (GPN) terms and conditions. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.The Government looks to the independent pay review bodies for a pay recommendation for NHS staff, including both contractor and salaried general practitioners (GPs). They consider a range of evidence from organisations including the Government, the NHS and trade unions to reach their recommendations.As different NHS and primary care staff groups do not all sit under the remit of one pay review body, the Government can receive different pay award recommendations for different groups. The independent review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) have recommended an uplift of 4% to the pay ranges for salaried GPs, and to GP contractor pay for 2025-26. To implement this through the GP contract, as the DDRB’s recommendation was higher than the assumed pay growth of 2.8%, we have provided a 1.2% top-up to the pay elements of the contract on a consolidated basis.We have provided an increase to core funding for practices to allow this 4% pay uplift to be passed on to salaried and contractor GPs. The additional funding will also allow for pay uplifts for other salaried general practice staff, including nurses.We expect General Practice Contractors to implement pay rises to other practice staff in line with the uplift in funding they have received.

Whether he plans to introduce a dedicated mechanism to fund pay increases for practice nurses and other non-doctor staff employed by GP practices.

General practices are independent businesses contracted to provide National Health Service services. As self-employed contractors to the NHS, it is for GP practices to determine uplifts in pay for their employees.We are investing an additional £1.1 billion in general practice to reinforce the front door of the NHS, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.4 billion in 2025-26, the biggest cash increase in over a decade. The 8.9% boost to the GP contract in 2025/26 is greater than the 5.8% growth to the NHS budget as a whole. The independent review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) recommended an uplift of 4% to the pay ranges for salaried GPs, and to GP contractor pay. As with last year, we have accepted the DDRB’s pay recommendation and have uplifted the pay elements of the GP contract by 4% on a consolidated basis (an increase of 1.2% on top of the 2.8% interim uplift in April). Funding for these awards will be backdated to April 2025. We expect General Practice Contractors to implement pay rises to other practice staff in line with the uplift in funding they are receiving.

Whether he plans to ensure that there is nursing representation in national negotiations on primary care (a) funding and (b) workforce planning.

We have always valued input from a range of stakeholders on the future of general practice, including on funding and workforce planning, and we would be happy to continue to engage with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on this, as we have done in previous pre-consultation engagement exercises.The Government is committed to ensuring the general practice nursing workforce is sustainable, supported and valued for the work they do. Good staff experience is crucial in ensuring the National Health Service is able to recruit and retain staff and its importance is recognised and illustrated in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan.We will publish a 10-Year Workforce Plan which will ensure that staff will be better treated and have better training, more fulfilling roles and hope for the future, so they can achieve more. A formal call for evidence has been launched, which will provide stakeholders the opportunity to contribute directly to the Plan’s development.

If he will ringfence funding for general practice nursing pay in line with the NHS Agenda for Change.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practices (GPs) how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. Funding for GP nursing pay is not ringfenced and contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on GPs with regard to GP nurse terms and conditions.The Government looks to the independent pay review bodies for a pay recommendation for NHS staff, including both contractor and salaried GPs. They consider a range of evidence from organisations including the Government, the NHS, and trade unions to reach their recommendations.The independent review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) has recommended an uplift of 4% to the pay ranges for salaried GPs, and to GP contractor pay for 2025/26. We have provided an increase to core funding for practices to allow this 4% pay uplift to be passed on to salaried and contractor GPs. The additional funding is also intended to provide uplifts for other salaried GP staff, including nurses.We expect GP contractors to implement pay rises to other practice staff in line with the uplift in funding they have received.The Government has committed to a new substantive GP Contract within this Parliament, and we will continue to engage constructively with the General Practitioners Committee England on issues such as staffing. The maximum reimbursable amounts for roles employed through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), including practice nurses, have also been uplifted in line with the NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendations, and ARRS budgets have been increased to reflect this.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of preventing the NHS Business Services Authority from withholding funding for staff payments where a community pharmacy owes significant money.

Pharmacies are private businesses. The National Health Service Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) pays all pharmacy contractors as set out in the Drug Tariff and based on the activity they declare which is then reconciled at a later stage to ensure that the total payment accurately reflects the prescriptions dispensed and the work done.The NHSBSA does not normally withhold funding from pharmacies unless there are good reasons to do so. If pharmacies do not give an accurate declaration of their activity, this can result in an overpayment which the NHSBSA recovers from future payments in line with the Managing Public Money guidance. This reduces the risk of financial loss to the NHS.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of GP contract uplifts on the ability of practices to fund pay rises for (a) practice nurses and (b) other non-doctor staff.

We are investing an additional £1.1 billion in general practice to reinforce the front door of the NHS, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.4 billion in 2025-26, the biggest cash increase in over a decade. The 8.9% boost to the GP contract in 2025/26 is greater than the 5.8% growth to the NHS budget as a whole. The independent review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) recommended an uplift of 4% to the pay ranges for salaried GPs, and to GP contractor pay. As with last year, we have accepted the DDRB’s pay recommendation and have uplifted the pay elements of the GP contract by 4% on a consolidated basis (an increase of 1.2% on top of the 2.8% interim uplift in April). Funding for these awards will be backdated to April 2025. We expect General Practice Contractors to implement pay rises to other practice staff in line with the uplift in funding they are receiving. As self-employed contractors to the NHS, it is for GP practices to determine uplifts in pay for their employees.

If he will align the terms and conditions for general practice nurses with those in the Agenda for Change.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practices (GPs) how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. GP contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on GPs with regard to GP nurse terms and conditions. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.A letter was distributed to practices earlier this year recommending that practices pass on additional funding to uplift pay for salaried staff.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) job security and (b) employment conditions for general practice nurses.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the general practice (GP) nursing workforce is sustainable, supported, and valued for the work they do.Good staff experience is crucial in ensuring that the National Health Service is able to recruit and retain staff, and its importance is recognised and illustrated in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan. Later this year we will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan which will ensure that staff will be better treated, have better training, more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future, so they can achieve more.As self-employed contractors to the NHS it is up to GPs how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. GP contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on GPs with regard to GP nurse terms and conditions. A letter was distributed to practices earlier this year recommending that practices pass on additional funding to uplift pay for salaried staff.

Whether his Department plans to provide funding to the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery after June 2026.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million 2017 with further funding of £7 million awarded in 2021 to establish a Global Surgery Network. The latest funding contract ends in June 2026. We encourage members to look out for and apply for future NIHR funding opportunities to build upon their strong foundations and continue to drive an evidence-informed approach to surgery. Applications to NIHR funding schemes are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. The Department and NIHR continue to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.

Whether his Department plans to provide support to the Global Surgery Network for projects in (a) Nigeria, (b) India, (c) Mexico and (d) other countries.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million in 2017 with further funding of £7 million awarded in 2021 to establish a Global Surgery Network. The latest funding contract ends in June 2026. We encourage members to look out for and apply for future NIHR funding opportunities to build upon their strong foundations and continue to drive an evidence-informed approach to surgery. Applications to NIHR funding schemes are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. The Department and NIHR continue to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.

Whether his Department has had discussions with Jhoots Pharmacy on unpaid (a) staff wages and (b) suppliers.

National Health Service pharmaceutical services, the staff who provide them, and the community pharmacies from which they are delivered are regulated. The entire system is laid out in legislation and is subject to assurance and inspection by both integrated care boards (ICBs) and the General Pharmaceutical Council.ICBs are responsible for monitoring that contractors are adhering to their NHS terms of service, investigating and acting in cases of non-compliance. ICBs are also responsible for determining applications for new pharmacies including changes of ownership. The legislative framework is under constant review and is updated as required.The Department does not make assessments of the suitability of individual pharmacy contractors. The Department also does not engage directly with individual pharmacy contractors to discuss matters like unpaid staff or suppliers.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the criteria for approving operators to take over NHS community pharmacies is sufficiently robust to prevent service failures.

National Health Service pharmaceutical services, the staff who provide them, and the community pharmacies from which they are delivered are regulated. The entire system is laid out in legislation and is subject to assurance and inspection by both integrated care boards (ICBs) and the General Pharmaceutical Council.ICBs are responsible for monitoring that contractors are adhering to their NHS terms of service, investigating and acting in cases of non-compliance. ICBs are also responsible for determining applications for new pharmacies including changes of ownership. The legislative framework is under constant review and is updated as required.The Department does not make assessments of the suitability of individual pharmacy contractors. The Department also does not engage directly with individual pharmacy contractors to discuss matters like unpaid staff or suppliers.

Whether he has made an assessment of the the suitability of Jhoots Pharmacy as a provider of NHS pharmacy services.

National Health Service pharmaceutical services, the staff who provide them, and the community pharmacies from which they are delivered are regulated. The entire system is laid out in legislation and is subject to assurance and inspection by both integrated care boards (ICBs) and the General Pharmaceutical Council.ICBs are responsible for monitoring that contractors are adhering to their NHS terms of service, investigating and acting in cases of non-compliance. ICBs are also responsible for determining applications for new pharmacies including changes of ownership. The legislative framework is under constant review and is updated as required.The Department does not make assessments of the suitability of individual pharmacy contractors. The Department also does not engage directly with individual pharmacy contractors to discuss matters like unpaid staff or suppliers.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure continuity of access to prescription medicines in towns where a single operator pharmacy fails to meet its contractual obligations.

National Health Service pharmaceutical services, the staff who provide them, and the community pharmacies from which they are delivered are regulated. The entire system is laid out in legislation and is subject to assurance and inspection by both integrated care boards (ICBs) and the General Pharmaceutical Council.ICBs are responsible for monitoring that contractors are adhering to their NHS terms of service, investigating and acting in cases of non-compliance. ICBs are also responsible for determining applications for new pharmacies including changes of ownership. The legislative framework is under constant review and is updated as required.The Department does not make assessments of the suitability of individual pharmacy contractors. The Department also does not engage directly with individual pharmacy contractors to discuss matters like unpaid staff or suppliers.

Whether he plans to publish a description of the new job role for physician associates before implementation of the Leng Review.

NHS England has published a letter and a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document, setting out what the accepted Leng Review recommendations mean for employees and employers, both in the immediate and longer term. The document is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/leng-review-nhs-england-faqs-on-actions-for-nhs-organisations.pdfNHS England will consider the development of new model job descriptions for the roles of physician assistants (PAs) and physician assistants in anaesthesia (PAAs), still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, in consultation with key partners as part of any wider implementation plan. Whilst such model job descriptions would not be mandatory, they would provide guidance on the general duties of newly qualified PAs and PAAs for employers when recruiting.Prior to implementing new job descriptions, these should be evaluated either through local primary care approaches or the National Health Service job evaluation scheme for secondary care providers.In the meantime, employers of the roles should ensure their competencies and job activities are assessed to ensure they are appropriate, reflect the required work activities within the service, and that clinical governance and oversight of the roles is clearly documented.

Whether funding is available to upgrade hospital helipads to enable night-time operation.

Hospital helipads can be funded via several routes, including by National Health Service trusts, charities, and donors. NHS trusts, working with integrated care systems, can use their local capital budgets to support investment in helipads where these are a local priority, either directly or as part of larger infrastructure projects. Decisions on upgrading hospital helipads are taken at a local level.