Written questions by Gosling.

With reference to the NHS's document entitled Neighbourhood health centre guidance for regions and integrated care boards published on 16 April 2026, whether physiotherapists are included in the community health team.

Awaiting answer.

What proportion of senior NHS leadership roles are held by Allied Health Professionals; and what steps he is taking to increase that proportion.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department plans to take to retain the chief allied health professions officer role following the abolition of NHS England.

Awaiting answer.

If his Department will update Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to allow for use of adrenaline nasal sprays.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has considered exempting information on how to use adrenaline devices from restrictions only allowing medical professionals to access information about prescription medicines.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has considered the potential merits of legislating to allow for community access to adrenaline.

Awaiting answer.

What the planned timeline is for publishing the next iteration of the taxonomy being developed as part of the ongoing reforms to Drug Tariff Part IX.

The final draft, version 1.2, of the Part IX Drug Tariff (Med Tech in the community) Wave 1 categorisation was developed in collaboration with an Expert Reference Group and updated in line with stakeholder feedback over four iterations. The final version was published in October 2025 and can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority Website at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/manufacturers-and-suppliers/drug-tariff-part-ix-informationThe Department is currently recruiting Independent Assessment Panels (IAPs) for Wave 1 and has agreed to ask them to review late feedback received from a company on the eye drops category. This is due to take place in February 2026 and will not require further input from industry as it has already been circulated for comment by them.The Department has also offered to review Drug Tariff Committee feedback regarding the categorisation of medical devices that fall into waves 2 to 4.The categorisation for waves 2 and 3 is currently being reviewed, and the Department expects to share the updated versions in early 2026 well in advance of the projected launch of waves 2 and 3 in 2027 and 2028 respectively. There are no confirmed plans for reviewing wave 4 at this time. The earliest launch would be in January 2029. All dates are subject to the outcome of the review of wave one.The Department recognises that the categorisation is not stagnant and may need further amendments as medical devices continue to evolve and the IAPs are stood up. Companies can suggest further amendments when they apply to Part IX of the Drug Tariff or through the Drug Tariff Committee.

Whether his Department plans to review its guidance entitled Using emergency adrenaline auto-injectors in schools, published 20 September 2017, to reflect advances in authorised adrenaline delivery technologies.

Officials at the Department, in discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, are in the early stages of considering if potential amendments to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) 2012 are required to reflect the availability of new adrenaline delivery technologies.No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis. However, should amendments to the HMRs be required, then the Government will conduct a public consultation to ensure that the views of stakeholders are carefully considered, prior to any changes being made.If changes are made to the HMRs, all relevant guidance will be updated to reflect this change.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis following new MHRA-approved adrenaline delivery formats with different usability and stability characteristics.

Officials at the Department, in discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, are in the early stages of considering if potential amendments to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) 2012 are required to reflect the availability of new adrenaline delivery technologies.No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis. However, should amendments to the HMRs be required, then the Government will conduct a public consultation to ensure that the views of stakeholders are carefully considered, prior to any changes being made.If changes are made to the HMRs, all relevant guidance will be updated to reflect this change.

What discussions he has had with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency on ensuring that regulations governing community access to emergency adrenaline remain aligned with innovation in (a) device design and (b) stability.

Officials at the Department, in discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, are in the early stages of considering if potential amendments to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) 2012 are required to reflect the availability of new adrenaline delivery technologies.No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis. However, should amendments to the HMRs be required, then the Government will conduct a public consultation to ensure that the views of stakeholders are carefully considered, prior to any changes being made.If changes are made to the HMRs, all relevant guidance will be updated to reflect this change.

What assessment his Department has made of the level of need for additional (a) physiotherapists and (b) rehabilitation support workers in (i) the NHS and (ii) independent sectors.

The Department has made no specific assessment of the additional need for physiotherapists and rehabilitation support workers in the National Health Service and independent sectors.The Department will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. They will be more empowered, more flexible, and more fulfilled. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people are in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of additional physiotherapists required to support people (a) with long-term health conditions and (b) who are disabled get back to work.

The Department has made no specific assessment of the additional need for physiotherapists and rehabilitation support workers in the National Health Service and independent sectors.The Department will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. They will be more empowered, more flexible, and more fulfilled. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people are in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

What steps he plans to take to ensure clinical leadership and advice is available within his Department for (a) Musculoskeletal conditions, (b) stroke, (c) neurological conditions, (d) cardiovascular disease, (e) continence care, (f) cancer, (g) respiratory illnesses, (h) rehabilitation, (i) frailty, (j) pediatrics, (k) women's health and (l) allergies.

National clinical directors and national specialty advisers are practising clinicians from across England who work part-time at NHS England, providing clinical leadership, advice, input, and support across distinct areas of National Health Service conditions and services, ranging from cancer and cardiovascular disease to urgent and emergency care and major trauma, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.NHS England’s Specialised Commissioning Programme also employs clinical directors who provide clinical leadership across national programmes of care and clinical reference groups.Whilst transformation for NHS England and the Department takes place, we will continue to ensure the clinical voice remains at the core of our work.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients are aware of the right to choose medical care.

The Government is committed to putting patients back at the heart of care. This includes supporting a patient’s right to choose, if they wish, where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. Further details for patients are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework/the-nhs-choice-framework-what-choices-are-available-to-me-in-the-nhsThe Department is working closely with NHS England on plans for targeted support starting in the most disadvantaged areas. General practitioners (GPs) can see waiting time information for different providers displayed as part of the e-Referral Service. GPs and patients can also use the Manage Your Referral service, allowing patients to make an informed choice of provider online or through the NHS App following their appointment.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that General Practitioners are (a) aware of and (b) able to communicate effectively the right for patients to choose medical care.

The Government is committed to putting patients back at the heart of care. This includes supporting a patient’s right to choose, if they wish, where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. Further details for patients are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework/the-nhs-choice-framework-what-choices-are-available-to-me-in-the-nhsThe Department is working closely with NHS England on plans for targeted support starting in the most disadvantaged areas. General practitioners (GPs) can see waiting time information for different providers displayed as part of the e-Referral Service. GPs and patients can also use the Manage Your Referral service, allowing patients to make an informed choice of provider online or through the NHS App following their appointment.