Written questions by Sollom.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of surgery and GLP-1 medication as treatments for Lipoedema.

The Department has not made any assessment of the potential role of GLP-1 medications in reducing inflammation and pain associated with lipoedema. Newly licensed medicines are appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on which new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE only makes recommendations on medicines within their licensed indications, and there is no GLP1 inhibitor with a United Kingdom marketing authorisation for use in the treatment of lipoedema. If a manufacturer applies for a UK marketing authorisation it may then be considered for evaluation by NICE.In the absence of NICE guidance, clinicians are able to prescribe a medicine if they consider it appropriate for their patients, subject to funding being available. NHS commissioners are expected to make funding decisions based on an assessment of the available evidence.NICE HealthTech guidance recommends that liposuction, a surgical procedure, for chronic lipoedema should only be used in research, as evidence on its safety and efficacy is inadequate. NICE will review the guidance when results from the LIPLEG trial in Germany are published.

What steps his Department is taking to improve NHS diagnosis and treatment pathways for lipoedema.

The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will play a central role in improving outcomes for women living with long‑term conditions like lipoedema by addressing the systemic barriers that have historically contributed to delayed diagnosis, variability in care, and poorer health experiences.In the National Health Service, lipoedema is often treated within lymphoedema services. This is because the care and support offered by lymphoedema services closely match what most people with lipoedema need. These services provide the core conservative treatments for both conditions, including compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care, movement and exercise support, and self‑management advice. These approaches are central to the management of lipoedema and are already well‑established within lymphoedema teams.We recognise the need to improve awareness and understanding of lipoedema. To support earlier, more accurate diagnosis, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has worked in partnership with Lipoedema UK to develop a dedicated e‑learning module for general practitioners, covering the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of lipoedema in primary care. This resource is freely available to RCGP members.Access to specialist assessment and treatment for lipoedema is commissioned locally by integrated care boards, which are best placed to understand local population need. Treatment options may include compression therapy, simple lymphatic drainage, self‑management support and, in severe cases, consideration of liposuction in line with interventional procedures guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinicians may offer treatment where appropriate, using their professional judgment and taking advice published by NICE into account.

What steps his Department has taken to implement the NHS Accessible Information Standard effectively.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department plans to include kidney disease as a priority condition within the National Service Framework programme announced in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the plan's commitments on prevention and long-term conditions extend to people living with chronic kidney disease.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to address the shortage of anaesthetists across the UK.

Next steps on delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to create 1,000 new specialty training posts over the next three years with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need will be set out in due course.Alongside this, the Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan later this spring. It will set out a clear roadmap to improve working lives in the National Health Service, providing better treatment of staff, higher-quality training, and more fulfilling roles.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 101943 on Anaesthetics: Recruitment, what steps his Department has taken to increase anaesthetist training posts available to start in 2026.

Next steps on delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to create 1,000 new specialty training posts over the next three years with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need will be set out in due course.Alongside this, the Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan later this spring. It will set out a clear roadmap to improve working lives in the National Health Service, providing better treatment of staff, higher-quality training, and more fulfilling roles.

What steps he is taking to improve clinical communications between primary and secondary care providers.

The 10 Year Health Plan is clear that the National Health Service needs to modernise and shift toward providing continuous, accessible and integrated care. This relies on clear communication across different services, including primary and secondary care. The Plan set out our commitment to delivering the recommendations of the ‘Red Tape Challenge’, which includes making improvements at the interface between primary and secondary care. This contains measures such as improving access to shared care records and greater standardisation of forms and processes across services.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, set out the need for more integrated working between primary and secondary care. As part of the approach, the Government expanded the Advice and Guidance (A&G) scheme in 2025/26 with £80 million of funding allocated for General Practice to increase uptake. Between April 2025 and October 2025, there has been an increase of 22% in processed A&G requests compared to the same period last year. A&G facilitates communication between General Practice and specialists to ensure care is delivered in the most appropriate place.The NHS Medium Term Planning Framework, published in October 2025, also set out an improved approach to triaging patients. From April 2026, the NHS will start moving toward a unified access model where all appropriate requests and referrals (excluding urgent suspect cancer) will flow through a Single Point of Access, acting as a single ‘front door’ to support clinical triage to the most appropriate service or outcome. This will enable primary care referrers to get a response from specialists at the start of a patient’s care journey in secondary care, as well as timelier and more joined up care for patients.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that increased medicine prices do not have an adverse impact on NHS activity.

This deal is a vital investment that builds on the strength of our National Health Service and world leading life sciences sector to increase access to life-changing medicines without taking essential funding from our frontline NHS services. We will always prioritise the needs of NHS patients and at the Spending Review we delivered record real terms increase for day-to-day spending for the NHS in England up to April 2029.This deal will be funded by allocations made at the Spending Review, where front line services will remain protected through the record funding secured. Future year funding will be settled at the next Spending Review.

Pursuant to Written Parliamentary Question 85637, when his Department expects to publish the research funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research that will look at how to cost-effectively improve care coordination to align to the needs of patients.

Steps are being taken to improve the coordination of care for all rare diseases as a priority under the UK Rare Diseases Framework. Through the England Rare Diseases Action Plans, which set out actions to deliver against this priority, we commissioned research funded by NIHR to build on the CoOrdinated Care Of Rare Diseases (CONCORD) study with RAND Europe and University of Cambridge. The NIHR-funded CONCORD study sought to investigate how services for people with rare diseases are coordinated in the United Kingdom, and how people living with rare diseases, and healthcare professionals who treat rare diseases, would like them to be coordinated. The new study will help us understand how to best make improvements to care co-ordination in a way which aligns to the needs of patients with rare conditions and which is as cost-effective as possible for the NHS. The study is due to end in May 2026. Findings will be submitted to scientific journals after this date. Further information is available on the CONCORD study at the following link:https://www.ucl.ac.uk/population-health-sciences/epidemiology-health-care/research/behavioural-science-and-health/research/health-care-organisation-and-management-group/concord-coordinated-care-rare-diseases

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that healthcare professionals are provided with timely guidance on prescribing alternatives when products they routinely prescribe are subject to safety recalls.

The Defective Medicines Report Centre (DMRC) is part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The role of the DMRC is to minimise the hazard to patients arising from the distribution of defective medicines by providing an emergency assessment and communication system between manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, pharmacies, regulatory authorities, and users. It achieves this aim by:receiving and assessing reports of suspected defective medicinal products for human use;advising and monitoring necessary actions by the responsible Licence Holder; andcommunicating the details of this action to relevant parties as necessary.Where a medicinal product recall is required, the decision is taken in consultation with the relevant Licence Holder. It is the Licence Holder’s responsibility to ensure that a recall is carried out effectively throughout the distribution chain to the appropriate level. If necessary, the DMRC will issue a Recall Notification to support action taken by the Licence Holder. Where possible, the DMRC will actively engage with the Department to inform us of upcoming recalls, especially where there may be limited marketed products available or critical medicines involved. The Department’s Medicines Supply Team have a range of well-established processes and tools to mitigate risks to patients, and in some circumstances, this can include the prescribing of an alternative medicine.The Department follows a clear operating framework for managing medicines shortages and, working with National Health Service specialist clinicians, develops appropriate management plans, including comprehensive guidance for prescribers, which are ratified by the Medicines Shortage Response Group to ensure that the most appropriate communication route is used. We work collaboratively with the MHRA throughout the recall process to ensure that when prescribing an alternative medicine should be considered, that this can be communicated in the Recall Notification, or as close to the issue of the Recall Notification that could result in a supply issue.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of anaesthetists across the UK.

We set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England published in July 2025 that over the next three years we will create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is greatest need.On 8 December, the Government put an offer in writing to the British Medical Association (BMA) Resident Doctors Committee, which was rejected. The offer would have increased the number of training posts over the next three years from the 1,000 announced in the 10-Year Health Plan to 4,000, bringing forward 1,000 of these training posts to start in 2026. The BMA have rejected the Government's offer, so that is not going ahead. The Government will consider its next steps.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the size of the anaesthetist workforce in (a) the East of England and (b) St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the adequacy of the size of the anaesthetist workforce in the East of England and/or the St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency. Appropriate National Health Service staffing levels are determined locally.

What assessment his Department has made of the value that NICE-recommended medicines bring to patient outcomes and the UK economy.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plays a vital role in securing access for National Health Service patients to innovative new medicines in a way that represents value to the taxpayer and supports a thriving United Kingdom life sciences sector. NICE is able to recommend the vast majority of new medicines for use by the NHS at prices that reflect the benefits that they bring to NHS patients and that are fair to all parties. Many thousands of NHS patients have benefitted from access to innovative new medicines as a result of NICE’s important work. The measures that we have announced this year as part of the Life Sciences Sector Plan and Regulation Action Plan will further accelerate patient access to new medicines whilst reducing burdens to industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department taking to increase the NICE cost-effectiveness thresholds for new medicines and increase the value that the UK places on medicines.

The pharmaceutical sector and the innovative medicines it produces are critical to our national interest, helping people access life changing treatments, reducing pressure on the health service over the longer-term, and ensuring we have a National Health Service that is fit for the future.Tens of thousands of NHS patients will benefit from a landmark trade deal between the United Kingdom and the United States, which will secure and expand access to vital drugs, safeguard our medicines supply chain, and drive crucial investment while supporting UK patients and industries. This agreement will increase the amount which the United Kingdom pays for life-changing medicines by 25%, ensuring faster patient access for vital medicines for cancer, rare diseases, and other conditions.A 25% increase in medicine pricing corresponds to two changes to the way the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence evaluates medicines, specifically a change to the standard cost effectiveness threshold and the introduction of a new value set for judging health states.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of recent divestments made by the life sciences industry on local economies across England, including St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency.

We do not hold specific data on the impact of recent divestments on local economies, including in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, specifically.We know this has been a challenging time for the life sciences sector, with commercial uncertainty and global competition driving recent divestment decisions. To address this, the Government has agreed a landmark trade deal with the United States which makes the United Kingdom the only country in the world to secure a zero percent tariff on pharmaceutical exports to the US, and preferential terms for medical technology exports. The Government is further securing the confidence of the pharmaceutical industry by committing to invest approximately 25% more in innovative, safe, and effective treatments, which will be the first major increase in over two decades.We will continue to work with industry to deliver our Life Sciences Sector Plan, improve the commercial environment, and bring the benefits of a growing life sciences sector to local economies across the country.

What steps his Department is taking to reverse the long-term decline in the amount spent on medicines as a percentage of the NHS budget.

We continue to support the United Kingdom’s world leading life sciences sector through investment, innovation and reform as set out in our Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Health Plan, through which we committed to accelerating growth in net spend on innovative medicines to unlock the potential for patients.As announced as part of our world-leading agreement with the United States, we will increase the amount which the UK pays for life-changing medicines by 25% through changes to the way that medicines are evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including an increase to the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold. In this way, we are increasing the value that we place on innovations that deliver improvements to patient health, ensuring faster patient access for vital medicines for cancer, rare diseases and other conditions.We are giving a clear signal that we want to bring innovative medicines to National Health Service patients, encouraging the life sciences industry to prioritise the UK as an early launch market, and help get the newest available treatments to those who need them.

When he expects the data on incidence of corridor care to be published by NHS England.

The Government is committed to tackling the unacceptable practice of corridor care in our National Health Service. Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, sets out steps we are taking, including the commitment to publish data on the prevalence of corridor care.NHS England has been working with trusts since 2024 to put in place new reporting arrangements related to the use of temporary escalation spaces, to drive improvement. The data quality is currently being reviewed, and the information will be published shortly.

What guidance his Department has given to integrated care boards on covering redundancy programme costs.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the abolition of NHS England, we are clear on the need for a smaller centre, as well as scaling back integrated care board (ICB) running costs and NHS provider corporate cost reductions in order to reduce waste and bureaucracy.Funding agreements have been agreed with His Majesty’s Treasury to enable redundancies to be funded within the Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC’s) Spending Review settlement. In 2025/26 and beyond, DHSC will continue to operate within its funding settlement and will not overspend its budget in order to fund redundancies, nor cut any investment to the frontline. The precise split between financial years and organisations is being worked through as operational delivery planning progresses.

Whether integrated care boards will be given additional one-off funding for redundancy programmes to meet the 50% cost reduction target.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the abolition of NHS England, we are clear on the need for a smaller centre, as well as scaling back integrated care board (ICB) running costs and NHS provider corporate cost reductions in order to reduce waste and bureaucracy.Funding agreements have been agreed with His Majesty’s Treasury to enable redundancies to be funded within the Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC’s) Spending Review settlement. In 2025/26 and beyond, DHSC will continue to operate within its funding settlement and will not overspend its budget in order to fund redundancies, nor cut any investment to the frontline. The precise split between financial years and organisations is being worked through as operational delivery planning progresses.

Whether his Department is taking steps to support the creation of neighbourhood-level respiratory diagnostic hubs.

Neighbourhood level respiratory diagnostic hubs support our vision of delivering more diagnostics and care outside of hospitals and in communities. Respiratory diagnostic hubs have been piloted and developed in many parts of England, and this learning will be informing the development of more neighbourhood health services.Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are also supporting this vision, as 170 CDCs are now operational across England. All standard model CDCs are required to offer a range of diagnostic tests that support the diagnosis of respiratory conditions, including spirometry and lung function tests.CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including respiratory diagnostic services, closer to home and with greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and speeding up diagnosis, whilst also reducing pressure on hospitals.We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the National Health Service, including through increasing CDC capacity. As set out in the Elective reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week.Integrated care boards (ICBs) play a vital role in commissioning and shaping diagnostic services to meet the needs of their local populations. Addressing the earlier diagnosis and treatment of their populations with respiratory conditions is a significant priority for ICBs.ICBs are responsible for commissioning Local Enhanced Services, including respiratory diagnostics, which are not agreed nationally and can vary in scope and funding to fit local needs.Activity and waiting times for the main respiratory tests are not included in the National Diagnostic Activity and Waiting Times Collection. However, NHS England’s National Diagnostic Programme undertakes an annual snap-shop data collection in respiratory diagnostics to understand levels of activity and waiting times for a range of respiratory tests within trusts across England.NHS England’s Respiratory Programme, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has also developed a standardised spirometry data capture template. This tool is designed to support ICBs in consistently recording and reporting spirometry activity, enabling improved oversight, service planning, and equitable access to respiratory diagnostics.