Written questions by McMurdock.

What discussions he has had with local NHS bodies on improving dementia care pathways in Essex.

Awaiting answer.

What the average waiting time is for a dementia assessment in Essex.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of line management within the NHS in supporting staff to identify and resolve workplace issues.

Awaiting answer.

What recent steps his Department has taken to improve rates of early dementia diagnosis.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of current levels of Government support for dementia research.

Government responsibility for delivering dementia research is shared between the Department of Health and Social Care, with research delivered via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation. The Government is investing in dementia research across all areas, from causes, diagnosis, and prevention, to treatment, care, and support, including for carers.Between financial years 2020/21 and 2024/25, through the NIHR, the Department spent £183.1 million for new research projects and supporting infrastructure into dementia. This includes spending £53 million in financial year 2024/25 alone.Officials meet regularly with a range of partners, including Alzheimer's Research UK to discuss research and to drive the maximum collective research impact on policy, practice, and individual lives. My Rt Hon. Friend, the current Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has not held discussions with Alzheimer's Research UK.Whilst no assessment has been made of the adequacy of the funding allocated for research into dementia, the NIHR continues to welcome high quality applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including dementia. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to the public and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

What steps he is taking to reduce levels of work-related stress across the NHS workforce.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of a) minor injuries and b) urgent care services in South Essex; and what plans he has to expand the range of these services at Orsett Hospital.

Responsibility for commissioning urgent care services, including minor injury services, sits with local National Health Service integrated care boards (ICBs), which assess and respond to the needs of their populations. In South Essex, NHS Essex ICB is working with local partners to assess current provision and future needs.There are no current plans to expand urgent care services at Orsett Hospital. In the wider area, a new community diagnostic centre (CDC) is now providing diagnostic services in Thurrock, and is located near the Orsett site. The impact of the new CDC on patient flow is being assessed with further data expected over summer 2026. This will inform any next steps to improve access and services.In parallel, the ICB is evaluating the potential for a neighbourhood health centre near the CDC, while Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is reviewing activity at Orsett Hospital to ensure services continue to be delivered closer to patients’ homes.

What steps he is taking to ensure adequate staffing levels in community hospitals in Essex.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to ensure that NHS organisations have access to the necessary equipment to deliver effective care.

Awaiting answer.

What plans he has for community hospitals to deliver urgent and primary care services.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions he has had with Alzheimer's Research UK on priorities for dementia research funding.

Government responsibility for delivering dementia research is shared between the Department of Health and Social Care, with research delivered via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation. The Government is investing in dementia research across all areas, from causes, diagnosis, and prevention, to treatment, care, and support, including for carers.Between financial years 2020/21 and 2024/25, through the NIHR, the Department spent £183.1 million for new research projects and supporting infrastructure into dementia. This includes spending £53 million in financial year 2024/25 alone.Officials meet regularly with a range of partners, including Alzheimer's Research UK to discuss research and to drive the maximum collective research impact on policy, practice, and individual lives. My Rt Hon. Friend, the current Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has not held discussions with Alzheimer's Research UK.Whilst no assessment has been made of the adequacy of the funding allocated for research into dementia, the NIHR continues to welcome high quality applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including dementia. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to the public and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

What recent assessment he has made of the level of NHS staff confidence that concerns raised by patients are acted on within NHS organisations.

Awaiting answer.

What plans his Department has to review NHS guidance on the provision of miscarriage care following a (a) first and (b) second pregnancy loss.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of (a) staffing and (b) resources of Early Pregnancy Units to deliver improved miscarriage care.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has had discussions with the Tommy's campaign to discuss their Graded Model of Miscarriage Care.

Awaiting answer.

What information his Department holds on the number of women in England who experienced (a) one, (b) two and (c) three or more miscarriages in each of the last five years.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment he has made of the impact on women who suffer repeated miscarriages on their (a) physical health and (b) mental health outcomes.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the extent to which treatable medical conditions linked to miscarriage are being identified at an early stage under existing NHS miscarriage care pathways.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with NHS England on standardising miscarriage care pathways across England.

No discussions on this issue have taken place to date between NHS England and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. However, we remain committed to driving improvement in the care received by women and families through the pending national action plan, overseen by the Government’s maternity and neonatal taskforce.We welcome the report from Tommy’s Miscarriage Centre at Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital on the effectiveness of their graded model of sporadic or recurrent miscarriage care pilot. In the Women’s Health Strategy, we have committed to carefully considering their findings, working closely with our partners.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) public and (b) clinical awareness of development language disorder.

Awaiting answer.