Written questions by Maguire.

What steps his Department is taking to improve and accelerate the hospital discharge process.

The Government is committed to improving hospital discharge processes and tackling discharge delays.The Urgent and Emergency Care plan for 2025/26 sets as a priority that hospitals should tackle the delays in patients waiting to be discharged. They should eliminate discharge delays of more than 48 hours caused by in-hospital issues, and work with local authorities to tackle the longest delays, starting with those over 21 days, and to profile discharges by pathway to support local planning.In January 2025, we published a new policy framework for the £9 billion Better Care Fund. This gives the National Health Service and local authorities accountability for setting and achieving joint goals for reducing discharge delays and preventing avoidable emergency admissions and care home admissions.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of (a) available beds and (b) diagnostic equipment such as scanners per patient in hospitals across England.

Through the 10-Year Health Plan, we are working to expand urgent care capacity through neighbourhood health services and virtual wards, enabling patients to receive care closer to home where clinically appropriate and easing pressure on hospitals. In addition, investment in digital tools will improve patient flow and further reduce reliance on inpatient beds. We are also working to develop stronger partnerships between the National Health Service and social care to ensure that patients receive the services they need to support timely and effective hospital discharge and to prevent avoidable hospital admissions. The Department is also committed to increasing the number of surgical hubs, which will increase ringfenced elective capacity, providing greater protection from urgent and emergency care, improving outcomes for patients, and reducing pressures on hospitals. There are currently 123 surgical hubs operational across England.At a local level, decisions regarding the opening of additional beds to manage pressures are made by individual NHS trusts, in accordance with their operational requirements. The Department does not direct these decisions centrally.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the 18-week constitutional standard by the end of this Parliament, including transforming and expand diagnostic services.We are expanding diagnostic services, including investing in new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanners in hospitals and community diagnostic centres (CDCs), as well as replacing some of the oldest CT and MRI scanners in the NHS estate. We have confirmed 13 new state-of-the-art DEXA scanners to support better bone care, delivering on the Government’s commitment in the Elective Reform Plan. These will allow for an extra 29,000 bone scans per year, benefitting tens of thousands of patients.This is backed as part of the 2025 Spending Review, which confirmed over £6 billion of additional capital investment over five years across new diagnostic, elective, and urgent care capacity. This includes £600 million in capital funding for diagnostics in 2025/26 to support delivery of the NHS performance standards. Further details and allocations will be set out in due course.We are also supporting the NHS to maximise existing diagnostic capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services, including extending the hours CDCs are open. In August 2025, we announced that 100 CDCs were delivering much needed checks, tests, and scans 12 hours a day, seven days a week. These will reduce overall waiting times for treatment. Alongside this, NHS England is working to ensure MRI acceleration software is being rolled out across MRI scanners, including upgrading old scanners which are unable to utilise this new software and technology.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of expanding the eligibility criteria for patients to take part in the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad.

The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform set up to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines. After an assessment by the CVLP delivery group in May 2025, it was agreed to expand the eligibility of the CVLP to support cancer vaccines and immunotherapy clinical trials that require molecular or genomic testing. This expansion in scope means that more patients will have access to the benefits associated with CVLP trials. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic, so any companies who are developing cancer vaccines or targeted immunotherapies can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research.

How much the time taken to discharge patients costs the NHS each year.

The Department does not hold data on the annual cost of discharge delays. However, from September 2025, NHS England has started to publish data on the cost of discharge. This information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/discharge-delays/acute-discharge-situation-report/ The following table shows the total cost of delays to bed days for September and October of 2025:MonthTotal cost of delayed bed daysSeptember 2025£219,719,520October 2025£230,824,078 This estimates that the unit cost of a bed day is £562, which is derived from the £527 2023/25 bed day cost, and which has been uplifted by 6.65% to estimate bed day costs for 2025/26 using the NHS Cumulative Uplift Factor to account for inflation, resulting in a unit cost of £562.This analysis does not include wider costs, such as the opportunity cost of care foregone by not being able to admit other patients, or the cost to the patient themselves of being in an inappropriate setting. The estimates do not consider the alternative cost of providing health and care support to patients outside of the acute hospital setting if these patients were not delayed in hospital.

What steps his Department is taking to increase early detection of mouth cancer.

To help increase the early detection of cancer, the Government has recently launched Jess’s Rule, an initiative that asks general practitioners (GPs) to think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to diagnose a patient, or if their symptoms have escalated.The Department is also investing an additional £889 million in GPs, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This will help to ensure the National Health Service has a well-trained and well-equipped primary care service that can take the time to provide quality care to patients around the country.Dentists and other dental professionals, including hygienists, routinely check the soft tissues of a patient’s mouth for signs of cancer during dental visits and as part of the check-up will make an assessment and record an individual’s oral cancer risk. Dentists will prioritise patients at a higher risk of oral cancer for more frequent recall and review in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.Additionally, NHS England is working in partnership with major supermarket chains to include messages about common cancer symptoms onto the packaging of relevant products. This has included specific messaging on mouth cancer symptoms on toothpaste and mouthwash packaging.To support earlier and faster cancer diagnosis, the NHS is now delivering additional checks, tests, and scans at 170 community diagnostic centres.Cancer incidence, including mouth cancer, is increasing. The Government is taking action, including raising awareness of signs and symptoms and focusing on prevention, such as the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

What steps he is taking to reduce cases of mouth cancer.

To help increase the early detection of cancer, the Government has recently launched Jess’s Rule, an initiative that asks general practitioners (GPs) to think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to diagnose a patient, or if their symptoms have escalated.The Department is also investing an additional £889 million in GPs, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This will help to ensure the National Health Service has a well-trained and well-equipped primary care service that can take the time to provide quality care to patients around the country.Dentists and other dental professionals, including hygienists, routinely check the soft tissues of a patient’s mouth for signs of cancer during dental visits and as part of the check-up will make an assessment and record an individual’s oral cancer risk. Dentists will prioritise patients at a higher risk of oral cancer for more frequent recall and review in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.Additionally, NHS England is working in partnership with major supermarket chains to include messages about common cancer symptoms onto the packaging of relevant products. This has included specific messaging on mouth cancer symptoms on toothpaste and mouthwash packaging.To support earlier and faster cancer diagnosis, the NHS is now delivering additional checks, tests, and scans at 170 community diagnostic centres.Cancer incidence, including mouth cancer, is increasing. The Government is taking action, including raising awareness of signs and symptoms and focusing on prevention, such as the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

How many bed spaces the NHS keeps free as a minimum standard level.

In September, there were an average of 100,615 general and acute beds open across all acute trusts, of these, 93,553 were occupied, a 93% occupancy rate.Decisions regarding the use of, or opening of, additional beds to manage pressures are made locally by individual National Health Service trusts, in accordance with their operational requirements. The Department does not direct these decisions centrally. However, we are asking trusts to place a special focus on significantly reducing bed occupancy ahead of Christmas, thereby creating additional capacity and improving patient flowThe 10-Year Health Plan aims to expand urgent care capacity through neighbourhood health services and virtual wards, enabling patients to receive care closer to home where clinically appropriate and easing pressure on hospitals. In addition, investment in digital tools will improve patient flow and further reduce reliance on inpatient beds.

If his Department will produce a funded operational plan to reduce A&E waiting times and end corridor care.

The Government is determined to get the National Health Service back on its feet, so patients can be treated with dignity. We are therefore doing everything we can as fast as we can to consign the delivery of care in temporary escalation spaces to the history books.Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26 sets out steps to reduce accident and emergency waiting times and improve the availability of beds for those who need them. Backed by a total of nearly £450 million of capital funding, we are expanding Same Day Emergency Care and Urgent Treatment Centres, helping avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital and supporting more efficient diagnosis, treatment, and discharge for patients. It also includes a commitment to publish data on the prevalence of corridor care for the first time.We will also be publishing new clinical operational standards for the first 72 hours of care. These will set the minimum expectations in areas such as time to review following referral, availability for advice, and what happens to patients when multiple specialist teams need to input into care.

How many patients have been recruited into studies of personalised cancer vaccines as part of the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad.

The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform set up to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines and speed up access to mRNA personalised cancer vaccine clinical trials for cancer patients. The 10-Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, commits to delivering 10,000 cancer vaccines to patients in clinical trials over this Parliament. To date, 350 patients have been recruited through the CVLP into a personalised vaccine clinical trial. These patients have then undergone further screening as part of the trial to assess their eligibility for the cancer vaccine.

What support he is providing to international medical and humanitarian partners to help with child amputees and life-altering injuries resulting from explosive weapons in conflict.

The Government recognises the appalling toll that explosive weapons in conflict zones exact on children. We recognise that children are among the most vulnerable in any crisis, suffering not only immediate physical harm but also enduring emotional and psychological trauma with lifelong consequences.The Department has three strands of work which support those who have been injured in this way. First, we have partnered with the David Nott Foundation to support the delivery of life-saving medical training to Ukrainian clinicians under the International Medical Partnership initiative. Second, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, we work closely with UKMed, a frontline medical age charity, who run clinical support programmes in both Ukraine and Gaza with National Health Service clinicians volunteering to provide life-saving medical aid to people affected by the conflict. Third, the Government has medically evacuated a small number of children from Gaza for specialist treatment in the United Kingdom.

Whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that general practitioners receive (a) training on (i) early symptoms and (ii) risk factors of mouth cancer and (b) update National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines to allow direct referral to secondary care.

We know that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for patients with mouth cancer. That is why we are investing an additional £889 million in general practices (GPs), bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This will help to ensure we have a well-trained and well-equipped primary care service that can take the time to provide quality care to patients around the country, including those with mouth cancer.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for making decisions on whether its guidance should be updated in the light of new evidence.NICE guidelines represent best practice and healthcare professionals are expected to take them fully into account in making decisions on the care and treatment of individual patients. NICE currently has no plans to update the guideline that covers the assessment and management of mouth cancer. It will be reviewed if there is new evidence that is likely to change the recommendations.

What assessment the Government has made of the potential merits (a) introducing free dental care and (b) ensuring access to dental rehabilitation for mouth cancer patients.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2025 to Question PQ89333.

Whether the National Cancer Plan will commit to producing symptom awareness campaigns.

Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan, which will be published in the new year. It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer as quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, and to improve outcomes.NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns in England to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and to address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an earlier point.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of ovarian cancer.

We are committed to reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including for ovarian cancer. We will support the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.The Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the NHS and opening up community diagnostic centres (CDCs) at evening and weekends, to help diagnose cancer earlier. We are now delivering additional checks, tests and scans at 170 CDCs.Furthermore, NHS England has completed the national roll-out of Non-Specific Symptom pathways to support faster diagnosis of cancer in patients who present with symptoms that do not align with a single cancer site.We have exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million appointments, having now delivered over five million more appointments as the first step to ensuring earlier and faster access to treatment.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and improving this country’s cancer survival rates.Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years. To do this, we will deliver targeted improvements and interventions, drive research and innovation, focus on prevention, and ensure patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

Whether his Department plans to (a) fund and (b) implement a national awareness campaign for mouth cancer to help improve (i) early detection and (ii) public understanding of the disease.

NHS England runs campaigns, most recently in early 2025, to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and to address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible if they notice a change in their health. The campaigns have focused on recognising a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging general body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an earlier point. This has included symptoms of mouth cancers in wider campaign messages. In addition, NHS England is working in partnership with major supermarket chains to include messages about common cancer symptoms on the packaging of relevant products. This has included specific messaging on mouth cancer symptoms on toothpaste and mouthwash packaging. NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including mouth cancer. This information can be found at sources like the NHS.UK website, which is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/

When he will publish further guidance on the regulation of NHS managers.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.As a first step, we aim to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s (GMC) regulatory framework in early 2026 and to lay this legislation before Parliament in the same year. We also plan to deliver legislation for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health and Care Professions Council within the current parliamentary period.We will take forward legislative change within this Parliament to introduce a statutory barring system for senior National Health Service leaders and will set out further detail regarding this when we consult on the GMC Order in early 2026.

What his timeline is for the reform of the regulation of healthcare professionals.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.As a first step, we aim to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s (GMC) regulatory framework in early 2026 and to lay this legislation before Parliament in the same year. We also plan to deliver legislation for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health and Care Professions Council within the current parliamentary period.We will take forward legislative change within this Parliament to introduce a statutory barring system for senior National Health Service leaders and will set out further detail regarding this when we consult on the GMC Order in early 2026.

If his Department will publish a national eye strategy.

There are no plans to develop a National Eye Strategy. The 10-Year Health Plan supports more locally developed and integrated neighbourhood care rather than a top down, one size fits all solution. Integrated care boards will want to take different approaches to commissioning primary and secondary eye care services, depending on local need as well as the skills and resources available to them.

What plans his Department has to embed routine oral health (a) screening and (b) signposting in (i) GP, (ii) pharmacy, (iii) community and (iv) other NHS primary care health checks.

Dental screening is not recommended due to a lack of evidence that it effectively reduces dental disease. Professionals working in general practice, pharmacy, and community-based services have an important role to help people prevent oral disease and access dental services.Evidence-based advice has been published to support health professionals to improve and maintain the oral and general health of their patients or members of the public. This is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention.Other resources are also available including those for adults and children, which are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-oral-health-applying-all-our-health/adult-oral-health-applying-all-our-health#further-reading-resources-and-good-practicehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-oral-health-applying-all-our-health.Signposting to dental services should follow local commissioning arrangements. Our commitment to neighbourhood health will provide further opportunities to bring together teams of professionals closer to people’s home in the community, which could include dental therapists and dental nurses.

How the Health Data Research Service will help improve data-sharing practices between healthcare professionals and researchers for tackling (a) pancreatic cancer and (b) other less survivable cancers.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham on 30 October 2025 to Questions 78409 and 78410.