Written questions by Turner.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Deputy Prime Minister, on 05 November 2025, Official Report, column 903, what recent progress his Department has made on ensuring that the NHS supports people with Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Following the oral question, the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety met with Jonathan Brash, his constituent, and Ataxia UK. Under the UK Rare Diseases Framework, the Government is working to improve access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs across all rare conditions, including Friedreich’s Ataxia. In February, we published the fifth England action plan reporting on progress. This year, we will continue to review the effectiveness of early access pathways for rare disease therapies, including the Early Access to Medicines Scheme, the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway, and the Innovative Medicines Fund, which are designed to help innovative treatments reach patients sooner.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on patients with (a) Addison's Disease and (b) adrenal insufficiency of the permanent discontinuation of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate 100mg/1ml solution by Advanz Pharma.

The Department are aware of the discontinuation of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate 100 milligram/one millilitre solution for injection and we continue to work with industry to find a longer-term solution.Hydrocortisone sodium succinate 100 milligram powder remains available for patients. We have issued comprehensive management guidance to healthcare professionals on how to manage patients while supply is disrupted. The guidance highlighted the differences between the two hydrocortisone injections. It also included resources for patients and healthcare professionals on how to administer the alternative hydrocortisone injection. We also understand that The Addison’s Self Help Group have also published information on this discontinuation to keep patients informed along with resources for patients on how to administer the alternative hydrocortisone.

When the Bryony House care home in Birmingham Northfield constituency will next be inspected by the CQC.

Bryony House Care Home was last inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May 2025 and was rated as Inadequate and placed into special measures.The CQC has advised that it continues to monitor the service closely and will carry out a further assessment, based on assessment priorities and the level of risk across the region. As this assessment will be unannounced, the CQC is unable to provide a timeframe for completion.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 86092, how many claimants were awarded a payment under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme in each financial year since 2021-22.

The NHS Business Services Authority is the administrator of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS). The following table shows the total number of awarded claims in each financial year since 2021/22:YearTotal number of VDPS claims awarded2021/2212022/23722023/24992024/25552025/2634Total261Note: Data for 2025/26 figure is accurate as of 6 February 2026. The previous question, answered on 28 October 2025, covered the period up until 30 September 2025. Some claims may be paid in a different financial year to which they were awarded.

With reference to the Answer of 15 January to Question 101203, on Latex: Allergies, if he will place a copy of the Expert Advisory Group on Allergy's December 2025 minutes in the House of Commons Library.

The Terms of Reference for the Expert Advisory Group on Allergy, which is overseen and supported by external stakeholders, states that the meetings are confidential. Therefore, the meeting minutes are not shared publicly.

Whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of measures in the Rhode Island Latex Gloves Safety Act 2024 to help prevent latex allergy harm in England.

The Department is working closely with a range of stakeholders across the Government, the National Health Service, voluntary organisations, and patient representative groups to consider how allergy care and support could be improved.The Expert Advisory Group on Allergy met most recently on 3 December and continues to bring together key stakeholders to inform policymaking and identify priorities in relation to the holistic care of people with allergies.In terms of the use of gloves for medical purposes, the NHS purchases examination and surgical gloves through NHS Supply Chain’s two national frameworks and, ultimately, it is the choice of NHS trusts which gloves they wish to procure. Regarding examination gloves, latex was once the most commonly used glove, but nitrile, latex-free, gloves are now the most common choice. There are also ‘specialist examination gloves’ available, which aim to provide a reduction in allergy irritation.Surgical glove purchase decisions are generally more clinically lead, and the choice of manufacturer and glove is usually made by the surgeon or consultant. There are latex and latex-free options available via the Surgical Glove Framework.

Whether his Department's Vaccine Damage Payment Unit is still in operation.

The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) provides a one-off, tax-free payment of £120,000 to claimants who have been found, in rare cases and on the balance of probabilities, to have been severely disabled by certain vaccines for a disease listed in the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979.Responsibility for the operation of the VDPS transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions to the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 November 2021. Since then, the NHS Business Services Authority has administered the VDPS on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, which retains responsibility for the policy and legislation governing the scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 83545 on Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, if he will publish a version of the table provided for the years prior to 2021-22.

The information requested is not held by the Department of Health and Social Care as the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme was administered by the Department for Work and Pensions until 2021.

What the total amount of payment is through the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme; and how much has been paid in each year for which figures are available.

The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme provides a one-off, tax-free payment of £120,000 to claimants who have been found, in rare cases and on the balance of probabilities, to have been severely disabled, 60% or more, by certain vaccines for a disease listed in the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979.The following table shows the payments made through the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme since 2021/22, when NHS Business Services Authority took over the administration of the scheme, to 2025/26:YearTotal amount paid2021/22£240,0002022/23£8,640,0002023/24£11,880,0002024/25£6,480,0002025/26£2,160,000Total£29,400,000Note: data for 2025/26 is as of the end of September 2025, as this is the latest data available.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31168 on Primodos: Research and with reference to the oral contribution of Mr Roland Moyle on 26 May 1978, HC official record Volume 950, whether (a) the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and (b) Commission on Human Medicines considered the findings of the Committee on Safety of Medicines study that began in 1969 as part of the recent review that is referred to in that Answer.

The review referenced in Question 31168 considered the 2023 publication by Danielsson et al only. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) assessment of this publication focussed on new data, which concerned transient embryonic hypoxia and teratogenicity in relation to oral hormone pregnancy tests (HPTs), and has been published at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b0696bf31f3b16cee0e937/Evaluation_of_review_of_transient_embryonic_hypoxia_and_teratogenicity_in_relation_to_oral_hormone_pregnancy_tests__including_Primodos.pdfThis MHRA assessment was considered by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) in November 2024. A copy of the minutes of this CHM meeting is attached.The study referenced by Mr Roland Moyle on 26 May 1978 is titled Maternal drug histories and congenital anomalies, and is authored by Greenberg G, Inman WHW, Weatherall, JAC et al. This was published in the British Medical Journal in October 1977, and is available at the following link:https://www.bmj.com/content/2/6091/853.abstractThe original Expert Working Group (EWG) convened by the United Kingdom’s CHM to review all available evidence on the possible association between HPTs and adverse outcomes in pregnancy considered the study by Greenberg G referenced above as part of their review.The EWG reported its findings in November 2017 and concluded that the totality of the available scientific data does not support a causal association between the use of HPTs during early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The EWG report on the use of HPTs and adverse effects relating to pregnancy, including possible birth defects, is published online, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-of-the-commission-on-human-medicines-expert-working-group-on-hormone-pregnancy-testsThe MHRA remains committed to reviewing any new scientific data which becomes available following the conclusion of the EWG.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of Accident and Emergency intake staff.

The 10-Year Workforce Plan, which will be published later this year, will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, including in vital services such as Accident and Emergency, with the right skills to care for patients when they need it.

With reference to NHS England’s publication entitled Interim commissioning guidance: Implementation of the NICE Technology Appraisal TA1026 and the NICE funding variation for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for the management of obesity, published on 27 March 2025, what estimate (a) NHS England and (b) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have made of the number of patients eligible for Mounjaro in each year from 2025-26 to 2027-28.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on the use of licensed medicines based on an assessment of their clinical and cost-effectiveness. NICE published the estimated total eligible population for tirzepatide for obesity (Mounjaro) in its technology appraisal, with the code TA 1026, which is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta1026The following table shows the estimated total eligible population for tirzepatide for obesity, from 2025/26 to 2028/29:YearPopulationCurrent year (2025/26)3,600,000Year 1 (2026/27)3,640,000Year 2 (2027/28)3,670,000Year 3 (2028/29)3,700,000 The figures are based on the population estimated to have an initial body mass index (BMI) of at least 35, and with at least one weight-related comorbidity. They include the impact of the predicted population growth, but they do not include potential increases in obesity prevalence, or include the 2.5 BMI unit reduction that is recommended for people from certain ethnic minority backgrounds. From 23 June, tirzepatide has started to become available in primary care, meaning it can be prescribed by general practitioners, or other competent prescribers. NHS England’s phased rollout within primary care will prioritise those with the greatest clinical need. The NHS is undertaking a phased roll out, as agreed with NICE. This is based on prioritisation led by clinical need. Patient eligibility will increase in stages, up to approximately 220,000 patients after the first three years, as outlined in NHS England's Interim Commissioning Guidance, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/interim-commissioning-guidance-implementation-of-the-nice-technology-appraisal-ta1026-and-the-nice-funding-variation-for-tirzepatide-mounjaro-for-the-management-of-obesity/The total eligible population should have access within the maximum period of 12 years but, as part of the rollout plans, the NHS will look at different service models, including digital and community options. New approaches might enable access to be expanded more quickly. Progress will be reviewed in three years. In addition, the 10-Year Health Plan sets out our ambition to build on these plans by testing innovative models of delivering weight loss services and treatments to patients. On 12 August we announced an £85 million competition to fund the design and delivery of new community and primary care weight management pathways to support access to interventions such as weight loss medications. We expect tens of thousands of patients to directly benefit from increased access to interventions, such as GLP-1s. This will generate new evidence to inform the future commissioning and rollout of tirzepatide.

What sensitivity NHS BMI assessments allow for persons of mixed (a) South Asian and (b) non-South Asian heritage.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on the management of overweight and obesity. This specifies that a lower body mass index (BMI) threshold should be used as a practical measure of overweight and obesity for some adults from ethnic minority backgrounds, including South Asian, as they are prone to higher levels of abdominal fat and have an increased risk of developing certain health conditions at a lower BMI.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism for improving compliance with the Equality Act at CQC registered practices.

It is for individual organisations, including Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered practices, to comply with the Equality Act 2010, guidance on which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidanceA code of practice has been published to guide CQC registered providers on how to meet the statutory requirement for learning disability and autism training under the Health and Care Act 2022 which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oliver-mcgowan-code-of-practiceThe Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, otherwise known as Oliver’s Training, is the Government’s recommended training package.The CQC has a role in assessing the completion and effectiveness of training, which may include Oliver’s Training, in relation to Regulation 18: Staffing of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Where an inspection involves the assessment of staff training, the CQC assesses the impact of training on the lives, outcomes and experiences of autistic people and people with a learning disability. The CQC also assesses whether people’s care, treatment and support promotes equality, removes barriers or delays and protects their rights under the Equity in experiences and outcomes quality statement, which is available at the following link:https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/assessment/single-assessment-framework/responsive/equity-experiences-outcomesAll assessments carried out through formal inspection activity are reported on and published on the CQC website.

How many complaints have been made in the last five years to (a) Birmingham and Solihull ICB, (b) all ICBs and (c) NHS England that allege (i) failure to make reasonable adjustments and (ii) disability discrimination.

Information is not available in the format requested. The annual publication of data on written complaints in the National Health Service, last published in October 2024, does not specify the number of complaints made to either integrated care boards or NHS England that were about either failure to make reasonable adjustments or disability discrimination.

If he will take steps to raise public awareness of dyspraxia.

The Government is committed to creating a more inclusive society where neurodiverse people, including those with dyspraxia, are supported to thrive.Dyspraxia, also known as developmental co-ordination disorder or DCD, is a common disorder that affects movement and co-ordination. Information on dyspraxia assessments and treatment is available to the public on the NHS.UK website, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia-in-adults/The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Department for Education on reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system to improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools as well as to ensure that special schools cater to those with the most complex needs. The Government is also supporting earlier intervention for children with SEND through Mental Health Support Teams, as well as the Early Language Support for Every Child and the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programmes.

What steps he is taking to reduce barriers to the sharing of medical records between NHS trusts in cases when those trusts are treating the same patients.

Appropriate information sharing is essential for the provision of safe and effective health care. Improving this will enable enhanced quality of care and safety for patients and better informed clinical and care decision-making, empowered by access to precise and comprehensive information.The Connecting Care Records programme joins up information based on the individual rather than via one organisation. Through targeted investment, local Connecting Care Record systems have been established in all integrated commissioning board areas. 97% of trusts and 92% of primary care networks are now connected.As you may also be aware, NHS England has been supporting National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts in acquiring and developing the effectiveness of their electronic patient records, and support is available to bring trusts to an optimum level of digital maturity, which will further reduce barriers to the information sharing needed to treat patients. Further information on data and clinical record sharing is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/data-and-clinical-record-sharing/Going beyond this, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced the intention for there to be a single patient record, which would provide a comprehensive patient record and end the need for patients to have to repeat their medical history when interacting with the NHS. We have been engaging with the public to help shape our plans, including what information they would want to see included in a single record.

Whether (a) his Department, (b) his Department's agencies and (c) his Department's advisory bodies have made comparative assessments of the efficacy of (i) natalizumab Tysabri and (ii) natalizumab Tyruko for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Tyruko and Tysabri are United Kingdom licensed medicines. Tyruko is a biosimilar to the originator Tysabri. A biosimilar is a biological medicinal product that contains a version of the active substance of an already authorised original biological medicinal product. The guiding principle of authorising a biosimilar is to establish similarity between the biosimilar, Tyruko, and the originator, Tysabri, based on a comprehensive comparability exercise, ensuring that the previously proven safety and efficacy of the originator also applies to the biosimilar. This is assessed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) during the process of obtaining a marketing authorisation.Following the introduction of Tyruko to the UK, the MHRA has investigated reports of increased disability associated with suspected allergic reactions, known as immunogenicity, following treatment with Tyruko, mainly in patients who were switched from Tysabri. The majority of these reports originated from a single National Health Service centre and only a few patients had residual symptoms after stopping Tyruko or transferring back to Tysabri. The assessment noted that more reassuring real world data has been described by other centres, which indicates some heterogeneity in the experience. The MHRA’s review was considered by the Commission on Human Medicine’s Neurology, Pain and Psychiatry Expert Advisory Group, which concluded that there was no corroborative evidence that allergic reactions are associated with progressive disability or any lack of efficacy for Tyruko when compared with Tysabri. The group recommended enhanced pharmacovigilance measures, including a specific follow up questionnaire, and that the marketing authorisation holder should review the risk of allergic reactions every four months or so and submit their data to the MHRA for monitoring, until greater experience with Tyruko is gained. The MHRA communicated the findings and outcomes of this review to clinicians at an NHS England webinar on 2 May 2025.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of prescribing medical cannabis to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) does not recommend the use of any cannabis-based medicines to manage chronic or neuropathic pain in adults and that cannabidiol (CBD) only be offered as part of a clinical trial.NICE recognises the lack of evidence to support the use of these medicines and recommends that further research is carried out on the clinical and cost effectiveness of CBD as an add-on treatment for adults with fibromyalgia or for persistent treatment resistant neuropathic pain.The National Institute for Health Research welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health. As for all other medicines, it is the responsibility of the manufacturers to generate the evidence required for assessment by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and NICE.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on the 2025-26 NHS Payment Scheme consultation.

Ministers will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by James Mackey, to lead this transformation. As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.The abolition of NHS England will strip out the unnecessary bureaucracy and cut the duplication that comes from having two organisations doing the same job, we will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, driving productivity up and getting waiting times down.