Written questions by Shannon.

How many people have been hospitalised for Norovirus in the last six months.

The information is not available in the format requested. NHS England publishes Daily Situation Reports throughout the winter period, which include information on the number of hospital beds taken up by patients with norovirus-like symptoms. This information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/uec-sitrep/urgent-and-emergency-care-daily-situation-reports-2024-25/

How many people in the UK have genetic eye conditions impacting the AIPLI gene.

Mutations in the AIPL1 gene can cause retinal disorders. Genetic causes of retinal disorders are tested for by R32 testing that is available nationally via the National Genomic Test Directory for any patient that meets the eligibility criteria. R32 tests for 280 genes. There have been 11 individuals reported with causative variants in the AIPL1 gene from over 4000 tests. This data represents testing of patients from England only as NHS England does not hold this information for devolved nations.This number also does not capture the number of individuals identified by cascade testing following the identification of AILP1 causative variants through an R32 test of a family member. Cascade testing is the process of informing and testing family members for a genetic condition discovered within the family.

If he will take steps with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure adequate funding of hospices in Northern Ireland.

Healthcare, including hospice care, in Northern Ireland is devolved and, therefore, a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive, although we are always happy to learn from experiences in other countries, including within the United Kingdom, and share our own experiences with countries like Northern Ireland.In England, palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission as per the Health and Care Act 2022. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. This will vary depending on the demand in that ICB area, but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provision from both National Health Service and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area. We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.We are pleased to confirm that the Government has released the first £25 million tranche of the £100 million of capital funding, with Hospice UK kindly allocating and distributing the money to hospices throughout England. An additional £75 million will be available from April. We, alongside key partners NHS England, will continue to proactively engage with our stakeholders, including the voluntary sector and independent hospices, on an ongoing basis, in order to understand the issues they face. Last month, I met the major palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, including Marie Curie, which have a hospice in Belfast, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the elected care framework.

We are committed to working closely with the Northern Irish and other devolved administrations to tackle the shared challenges faced by our health systems. Health is predominantly a devolved issue. However, the Department works collaboratively with the devolved administrations to drive forward our objective of supporting people to lead more independent, healthier lives for longer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of poverty on access to (a) health and (b) dental care.

Whilst there has been no formal assessment made, it is recognised that people living in the most deprived areas can face challenges accessing health and dental care.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for arranging health services that are accessible and that meet the health needs of their populations, and in doing so must also have regard to the need to reduce inequalities in access to health services.In guidance on the preparation of integrated care strategies, updated in 2024, the Department has also explicitly outlined the need for integrated care partnerships to consider groups which may have the greatest need for services and the greatest difficulty in accessing them, and take steps to remove barriers and improve provision for these populations.Free National Health Service dental care is available to people who meet a certain criterion, such as receiving low-income benefits. Support is also available through the NHS Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for exemption or full remission of dental charges. In line with the Government’s Health Mission, the Department’s goal is to create a more equitable healthcare system that leaves no person or community behind.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on tackling poor mental health in schools.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Department for Education to deliver the commitment to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school through rolling out NHS Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges.

What discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive on lowering the threshold for bowel screening to 50.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises ministers and the National Health Service in the four United Kingdom nations about all aspects of screening. As screening is a devolved matter, it is then for each individual Government to decide on how and whether to implement the UK NSC’s recommendations.

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle ophthalmic workforce shortages.

We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service, which will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move healthcare from hospitals to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.A central part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan, which will deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, to ensure that the NHS has the right people, including those who work in ophthalmology, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.

What steps his Department is taking to help delay the progression of glaucoma in people aged over 50.

Free National Health Service sight tests are available for many, including all individuals aged 40 years old and over with a close family history of glaucoma, and all individuals aged 60 years old and over. Regular sight tests play an important role in the early detection of glaucoma, which is often symptomless in the early stages. Patients with suspected glaucoma will be referred for further investigation, treatment, and monitoring, which can delay its progression. NHS England has been testing how integrating primary and secondary eye care services, through IT connectivity and the development of a single point of access, could improve the referral, triage, and management of patients with eye care needs and reduce the time from diagnosis to treatment.

What estimate he has made of the number of under 16's who vape.

NHS England publishes estimates of the prevalence of vaping in children from the Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England Survey. The latest figures are from the 2023 survey, and showed that 5% of children aged between 11 and 15 years old were regular vapers, 4% vaped occasionally, and 25% had ever vaped. The report is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/smoking-drinking-and-drug-use-among-young-people-in-england/2023

What discussions he has had with his counterparts in Northern Ireland on using AI technology for prostate cancer screening.

The Government follows the advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). The UK NSC currently does not recommend screening for prostate cancer because the current best test is not accurate enough for use in asymptomatic men.We are aware of very early-stage trials into artificial intelligence in prostate cancer detection and we look forward to these trials reporting formally so that the evidence can be carefully considered.In the meantime, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any conversations with his counterparts in Northern Ireland on this issue. Implementation of any UK NSC screening recommendation is a devolved matter.

How many complaints have been received by the NHS England in the last 12 months for which the latest data is available.

NHS England has received 275 complaints in the 12-month period from 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the spread of respiratory syncytial virus on hospital capacity.

Through the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Watch programme, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes surveillance of hospitalisation rates in different age groups for confirmed cases of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in England. These rates are published weekly through the winter.The UKHSA also undertakes monitoring and evaluation of immunisation programmes, including the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing hospital admissions. Monitoring and evaluation work has begun for the new RSV programmes which launched in September 2024 to protect infants through maternal vaccination and for the direct protection of older adults. Findings will be published in due course.

If he will have discussions with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the potential merits of delivering combined cataract and glaucoma procedures to help reduce pressures on ophthalmic waiting lists.

Health is a devolved matter. Combined treatment for glaucoma and cataracts can already be considered when clinically appropriate, taking into account the patient’s wishes and the best available evidence.

What estimate he has made of the number of cases of (a) avoidable skin infections, (b) pressure ulcers and (c) urinary tract infections that were (i) caused or (ii) aggravated by using continence products that are not clinically appropriate in the last 12 months; and how much the annual cost was to (A) NHS England and (B) social care as a result of (1) additional treatments being required, (2) laundry and other associated costs, including energy and (3) associated staff time.

Neither the Department nor NHS England hold this information, although this type of data may be recorded and monitored at an individual trust level. Whilst trusts will report the incidence of associated adverse outcomes, such as pressure ulcers, it is unlikely that the cause will be correlated to the product used.

How many referrals to cardiology there were in 2024.

There were 1,007,365 referrals to cardiology in England in 2024. The data is publicly available on NHS England’s website, at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/

With reference to the document entitled Guidance for the provision of absorbent products for adult incontinence, published by the Royal College of Nursing and the Association for Continence Professionals in February 2023, whether he has made an assessment of whether the recommended number of incontinence products issued per 24 hours is consistent with the NICE guidance entitled Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management, reference NG123 published on 24 June 2019, Faecal incontinence in adults, reference QS54 published on 6 February 2014, and Faecal incontinence in adults: management, reference CG49 published on 27 June 2007; and if he will ensure that the Guidance for the provision of absorbent products for adult incontinence is followed by (a) NHS England and (b) social care providers.

We are aware of the most recent publication by the Royal College of Nursing relating to continence pads. NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, and health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for making decisions on whether its published guidelines should be updated in light of new evidence or emerging issues not in the scope of the original guideline.NICE maintains surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance and would consult on proposed changes with a wide range of stakeholders if significant new evidence was to emerge.Both integrated care boards and healthcare providers are expected to take national guidance into consideration when commissioning and delivering services, respectively.

What steps he is taking to ensure people diagnosed with gout have access to medical care.

We know how important it is that patients with gout receive the care they need from their general practices (GPs) and secondary care.We want to make it easier for patients to see a GP when they need to. In October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England. This will increase the number of GP appointments delivered, benefitting thousands of patients that are struggling to get the care they desperately need, including those with gout.We are committed to moving towards a Neighbourhood Health Service, with more care delivered in local communities to spot problems earlier, and we will also bring back the family doctor, by incentivising GPs to see the same patient, so ongoing or complex conditions are dealt with effectively. In doing so, we will improve continuity of care, which is associated with better health outcomes, and will improve patient health and care as a result.Tackling waiting lists, including for those waiting for rheumatology treatment, is a key part of our Health Mission. The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out how we will get back to the NHS Constitutional Standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by the end of this Parliament, and will also ensure that patients have the best possible experience of care.

How many confirmed cases of bile duct cancer there have been in the UK since January 2024.

The most recently published data on registrations of bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, are available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2022There were 2,973 diagnoses of bile duct cancer in 2022.

What progress he has made on (a) developing and (b) promoting an effective methodology for assessing value when purchasing medical (i) devices and (ii) consumables; and what plans he has to promote the uptake of a value based procurement approach.

The Department is working with NHS England and the NHS Supply Chain to develop and promote a standardised methodology for National Health Service trusts and integrated care systems (ICS) to assess value when procuring medical technologies, including devices and consumables. As part of this, the Department is engaging medical technology suppliers, patient forums, as well as broader networks of financial teams, clinicians, and NHS procurement professionals.The methodology will provide a consistent and transparent approach to assessing value, for use at both the national and local levels. This aims to shift the majority of the weighting in procurement decisions towards value over upfront cost. The guidance will include a bank of questions, model answers, and scoring criteria showing how to assess defined values consistently, such as patient experience and outcomes, and whole system costs.The Department will be testing this guidance with the NHS at the ICS and NHS trust level over the coming months, with the ambition to refine and publish the guidance in Autumn 2025.