Written questions by Fenton-Glynn.

Which stakeholders the Lock Review has engaged with; and whether this includes NHS Resolution, NHS trusts, professional bodies and patient safety organisations.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. He has engaged a number of stakeholders to date, including regular meetings with NHS Resolution, and will continue to consult. His work is ongoing, which includes considerations about stakeholder engagement in the future, following initial advice to ministers and the recent National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports.The results of David Lock’s work will inform future policy making in this area. No decisions on policy have been taken at this point, and the Government will provide an update on the work done and next steps in due course.

How many patients were registered at each (a) main practice and (b) branch surgery in Calder Valley constituency in (i) July 2025 and (ii) March 2026.

The following table shows the number of registered patients at each practice in the Calder Valley constituency on 1 July 2025, and on 1 February 2026, as this is the most recent available data:Practice codePractice nameRegistered patients, 1 February 2026Registered patients, 1 July 2025B84003Rydings Hall Surgery7,7277,789B84004Hebden Bridge Group Practice18,57718,592B84006Todmorden Group Practice16,04116,146B84007Brig Royd Surgery10,60010,655B84008The Northolme Practice16,44216,309B84009Stainland Road Medical Centre11,54011,493B84011Church Lane Surgery10,98411,032B84014Rastrick Health Centre5,5635,421B84016Bankfield Surgery11,35611,394B84623Longroyde Surgery5,1265,038 In addition, the following table shows which practices are branches of main practices within the Calder Valley constituency, excluding COVID vaccination service branches:Branch codeBranch nameMain practice nameB84004002The Health CentreHebden Bridge Group PracticeB84004003Grange Dene Medical CentreHebden Bridge Group PracticeB84016001Bankfield Surgery at Rosemount HouseBankfield Surgery As patients are registered to main practices, there is no data for the number of patients registered to branch practices.

Whether GP practices, patient groups, and organisations representing areas of high deprivation will be invited to contribute evidence to the Carr Hill formula review.

The Carr-Hill review has been commissioned through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and commenced in October 2025. The purpose of the review is to ensure that funding for general practices (GPs) is distributed equitably and is targeted towards areas that need it most. It is drawing on a range of evidence and advice from experts and is giving consideration to a broad range of factors relevant to the delivery of primary care services. The review team has engaged with a range of stakeholders, including partners at The Royal College of General Practitioners, the GP committee of the British Medical Association, the NHS Confederation, as well as international informants from different countries. Members of Parliament were also invited to share any relevant insights and evidence from their constituencies in the Dear Colleague letter sent in November 2025.The first phase of the review is expected to conclude in March 2026. Subject to ministerial decision, further work would be undertaken to technically develop and model any proposed changes to the formula. Findings from the review, including methodology, will be published in due course by the NIHR, and Members of Parliament will be updated once the review findings are available.

Which external stakeholders he plans to consult as part of the review of the Carr‑Hill formula.

The Carr-Hill review has been commissioned through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and commenced in October 2025. The purpose of the review is to ensure that funding for general practices (GPs) is distributed equitably and is targeted towards areas that need it most. It is drawing on a range of evidence and advice from experts and is giving consideration to a broad range of factors relevant to the delivery of primary care services. The review team has engaged with a range of stakeholders, including partners at The Royal College of General Practitioners, the GP committee of the British Medical Association, the NHS Confederation, as well as international informants from different countries. Members of Parliament were also invited to share any relevant insights and evidence from their constituencies in the Dear Colleague letter sent in November 2025.The first phase of the review is expected to conclude in March 2026. Subject to ministerial decision, further work would be undertaken to technically develop and model any proposed changes to the formula. Findings from the review, including methodology, will be published in due course by the NIHR, and Members of Parliament will be updated once the review findings are available.

Whether he plans to publish the full methodology for the Carr Hill formula review.

The Carr-Hill review has been commissioned through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and commenced in October 2025. The purpose of the review is to ensure that funding for general practices (GPs) is distributed equitably and is targeted towards areas that need it most. It is drawing on a range of evidence and advice from experts and is giving consideration to a broad range of factors relevant to the delivery of primary care services. The review team has engaged with a range of stakeholders, including partners at The Royal College of General Practitioners, the GP committee of the British Medical Association, the NHS Confederation, as well as international informants from different countries. Members of Parliament were also invited to share any relevant insights and evidence from their constituencies in the Dear Colleague letter sent in November 2025.The first phase of the review is expected to conclude in March 2026. Subject to ministerial decision, further work would be undertaken to technically develop and model any proposed changes to the formula. Findings from the review, including methodology, will be published in due course by the NIHR, and Members of Parliament will be updated once the review findings are available.

When he expects the findings of the Carr Hill formula review to be published.

The Carr-Hill review has been commissioned through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and commenced in October 2025. The purpose of the review is to ensure that funding for general practices (GPs) is distributed equitably and is targeted towards areas that need it most. It is drawing on a range of evidence and advice from experts and is giving consideration to a broad range of factors relevant to the delivery of primary care services. The review team has engaged with a range of stakeholders, including partners at The Royal College of General Practitioners, the GP committee of the British Medical Association, the NHS Confederation, as well as international informants from different countries. Members of Parliament were also invited to share any relevant insights and evidence from their constituencies in the Dear Colleague letter sent in November 2025.The first phase of the review is expected to conclude in March 2026. Subject to ministerial decision, further work would be undertaken to technically develop and model any proposed changes to the formula. Findings from the review, including methodology, will be published in due course by the NIHR, and Members of Parliament will be updated once the review findings are available.

If his Department will publish data on CAMHS outcomes, broken down by therapy type and delivery method.

NHS England publishes data on children and young people’s mental health services through the Mental Health Services Data Set (MHSDS). This includes information on outcomes following treatment, as well as breakdowns by primary reason for referral and service type. However, published data are not currently broken down by specific therapy type or by delivery method. In December 2025, 26.6% of closed referrals for children and young people aged between zero and 17 years old has at least two contacts and any perspective paired score. As a result, published outcome statistics are not fully representative of all those receiving care. NHS England is the data controller for the MHSDS and is responsible for decisions relating to the publication of further breakdowns. The Department will continue to work with NHS England to consider how data transparency can be improved.

What recent discussions the Department has had with social media companies regarding the potential impact of their platforms on child mental health.

The Department has not undertaken any recent engagement with social media companies regarding the potential impact of their platforms on child mental health.However, the Government is taking forward wider work to understand and address risks to children in the online world. A national consultation has recently been launched to seek views on measures to improve children’s online safety across social media, gaming platforms, and artificial intelligence chatbots. We will work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on this consultation, including in relation to understanding the potential impact of social media use on children’s mental health. This forms part of the Government’s broader programme to create a safer digital environment for children and to reduce potential harms linked to these services.Insights from this consultation will help inform future policy to better protect children’s mental health and ensure that digital platforms play their part in promoting safe and healthy online experiences.

What proportion of CAMHS clinicians have received training in PTSD therapies, and what steps the Department is taking to improve training coverage.

Information on the proportion of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinicians who have received training in therapies for post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not collected centrally. Providers, such as National Health Service trusts and other organisations delivering CAMHS, remain responsible for ensuring that their clinicians have the appropriate skills and training to meet the needs of children and young people, including where PTSD therapies are required.

What assessment the Department has made of the level of experience in the CAMHS workforce and the potential impact of staff turnover on service quality.

NHS England commissions regular workforce censuses of the children and young people’s mental health workforce. The most recent census, covering April 2023 to March 2024, includes information on how long staff have been in post across community and inpatient services, alongside a summary of the skills and training reported by providers. This provides insight into the experience and capability within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) workforce.The Department has made no assessment of the potential impact of staff turnover on the quality of CAMHS provision.

What assessment the Department has made of the effectiveness of Mental Health Support Teams in schools in respect to reducing pressure on CAHMS.

The Department has reviewed the available evidence and operational learning to assess the impact of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). Early findings from evaluations of trailblazer and pilot sites suggest that MHSTs are supporting earlier identification and more effective management of emerging mental health needs within educational settings. By providing timely intervention, MHSTs can help prevent difficulties from escalating to a level that would otherwise require referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). In addition to this early evidence, an independent evaluation of the MHST programme is currently underway and is due to be published later this year. This evaluation will consider the broader impacts of MHSTs, including their effect on CAMHS.

What assessment has the Government made on the effectiveness of CAHMS online therapies as opposed to in person support.

The Department has not made a specific assessment on the effectiveness of Children and Young People Mental Health (CYPMH) online therapies as opposed to in-person support. However, more widely, the Department draws on a growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of digital and online therapies for CYPMH, including findings from ongoing evaluations, research programmes, and clinical trials. This includes research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, international evidence on digital innovation, and evidence generated through local service evaluations. Digital and online interventions can provide young people with flexible, timely, and accessible support, and form an important part of a modern, blended mental health offer. The Government has committed to harnessing safe and effective digital tools across the National Health Service, including through the 10‑Year Health Plan’s focus on digitally enabled care, to improve access, increase choice, and support earlier intervention for children, young people, and families.

What assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of the high ratio of legal costs to damages in low value clinical negligence claims, as highlighted by the NAO, and what steps it is taking to reduce these costs.

The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last ten years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.Although forecasts remain uncertain, it is likely that the costs of clinical negligence will continue to grow substantially. As the question describes, the Government Actuary’s Department forecasts that annual payments for compensation and legal costs will increase from £3.1 billion in 2024/25 to £4.1 billion by 2029/30.As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. That work is ongoing, following initial advice to ministers and the recent National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the system led by the General Medical Council and the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is independent of Government, directly accountable to Parliament and responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is a statutory committee of the GMC. The United Kingdom's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.The Department of Health and Social Care monitors how regulators perform their duties and there are a range of mechanisms to ensure accountability. The GMC is accountable to the devolved governments. The Health and Social Care Committee and the Health and Care Select Committee of the Scottish Parliament can hold hearings with the GMC and scrutinise its activity. The GMC has a duty to publish an annual report alongside a statistical report and a strategic plan which are laid before each house of Parliament, thereby enabling scrutiny by peers and MPs.The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) also oversees all health and care regulators, including the GMC, and carries out regular performance reviews to evaluate their performance. The PSA may also escalate serious or intractable concerns to others, including the Government and/or Parliament. The GMC met all 18 Standards of Good Regulation in the PSA’s 2025 Performance Review.The Privy Council has default powers which can be used if it considers that the GMC has failed to carry out its functions in relation to the professions it currently regulates.

What steps his Department is taking to help (a) improve patient safety in the NHS and (b) reduce clinical negligence claims.

The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last ten years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. That work is ongoing, following initial advice to ministers and the recent National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports.Over recent years, the NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care have taken significant steps forward to address the rising costs of clinical negligence and to improve patient safety, including by implementing significant programmes under the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, published 2019. The strategy is now achieving its aim of saving an extra 1,000 lives per year and £100 million in care costs per year.

Whether his Department is taking steps to establish a national framework for collecting and sharing data on the causes of clinical negligence.

NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.NHS Resolution recognises the importance of sharing its data to provide a full picture of potential harm. NHS Resolution’s Safety and Learning Team works with its members to interpret and triangulate claims data with other insights to inform local patient safety plans. It also publishes reports to highlight causes of harm to improve safety including from maternity claims.

What assessment his Department has made of the long‑term outcomes of children who receive CAMHS mental health support; and how many of these recipients subsequently use adult mental health services.

The Department recognises the importance of understanding both the outcomes of children and young people who receive support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and their transition into adult services where ongoing care is required. NHS England publishes outcomes data for children and young people receiving National Health Service funded mental health support, based on routine outcome measures collected at the start and end of treatment. However, coverage of paired outcome measures remains incomplete, and the published statistics are not fully representative of all those in receipt of care. We are working with NHS England to improve the completeness and quality of outcomes data to strengthen our understanding of the impact of services. We remain committed to improving transitions between children and adult mental health services so that young people continue to receive appropriate support as they move into adulthood.

What information his Department holds on the reason for the 45% increase in GP negligence claims between financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25; and whether his Department is taking steps to help reduce this increase.

NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.NHS Resolution’s Annual Reports and Accounts data states that claims relating to general practice services under the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice increased from 2,382 in 2023/24 to 2,575 in 2024/25, which is an 8% increase. This is in line with NHS Resolution’s expectations of a maturing scheme that covers clinical negligence liabilities in relation to incidents that occurred on or after 1 April 2019. Claims under the Existing Liabilities Scheme for General Practice (ELSGP), covering incidents before April 2019, fell by 32% over the same period, from 502 to 341.The continued reduction in ELSGP claims is in line with NHS Resolution’s expectations. The scheme provides indemnity cover in respect of liabilities incurred before 1 April 2019 and so NHS Resolution expects numbers to reduce over time as fewer new claims for incidents before that date are reported. Reported numbers in 2021/22 were particularly high due to the bulk migration of claims into the scheme from medical defence organisations.

Whether (a) his Department and (b) NHS Resolution collect data distinguishing between clinical negligence claims caused by (i) individual mistakes and (ii) systemic failures.

NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.NHS Resolution does not categorise clinical negligence claims in a way that distinguishes between individual mistakes and systemic failures. However, NHS Resolution’s Safety and Learning team does analyse claims information to determine the multiple factors that have contributed to patient or staff harm, recognising the complex system within which health care is delivered. To support this work, the team is increasingly applying patient safety science methodologies such as the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety framework.

Whether his Department plans to conduct a review of the threshold for erasure in cases where doctors are accused of rape or sexual assault.

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 shortly and to lay this legislation before Parliament this year.As part of the consultation, we will be consulting on the criminal offences, which if convicted of, will lead to the automatic removal of a registrant from the GMC’s register.