Written questions by Evans.

How many times he has met with the leadership of the NHS Business Service Authority since 4 July 2024.

The Minister of State for Health met with the leadership of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on 9 December 2024, and regular meetings are now being scheduled.As a Special Health Authority and Arm’s-Length Body of the Department, there are quarterly accountability reviews between NHSBSA leadership and Department officials. Department officials also attend the NHSBSA’s Audit and Risk Committee and Board meetings, and there is less formal engagement in the form of regular one-to-ones with senior managers.

If he will conduct a review into the performance of the NHS Business Services Authority.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) underwent an independent review in 2023 as part of the Cabinet Office led Public Body Review programme, and was assessed as ‘a high performing Arm’s-Length Body’. The review is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-business-services-authority-review-report/independent-review-of-the-nhs-business-services-authority-final-report-and-recommendationsAs a Special Health Authority and Arm’s-Length Body of the Department, performance is reviewed regularly by Departmental policy teams who sponsor individual services, and a quarterly accountability meeting is held to assess the NHSBSA’s performance across all its services.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2025 to Question 23852 on Surgery: Reform, which straight-to-test pathways are being considered for Community Diagnostic Centres.

The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, announced that integrated care boards (ICBs) will make optimal use of the new diagnostic capacity by implementing the new standards for Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), in particular, increasing direct referrals and rolling out at least 10 straight-to-test pathways by March 2026.To date, NHS England has agreed three national CDC diagnostic pathways which ICBs will be expected to implement by March 2026. These are: breathlessness; children and young people’s asthma; and unscheduled bleeding on hormone replacement therapy. NHS England is working with clinicians to best determine other priority pathways in CDCs, where clinically appropriate. Implementation of these pathways will be determined by population need, and where there is a clear opportunity for improving timescales and journeys to diagnosis. As well as these three priority CDC pathways, a number of other pathway developments are underway in CDCs across the country, including: lower gastrointestinal; liver; lung; head and neck; and adult hearing loss.The Elective Reform Plan also set out clear expectations for significant elective care reform to be delivered in at least five specialties: ear nose and throat; gastroenterology; respiratory; and urology and cardiology. Clinical pathway optimisation work, including in CDCs, will centre around these.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 23858 on NHS Business Services Authority: Workplace Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to help tackle the backlog.

The Department is working closely with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to ensure that issuance of remediable pension savings statements is prioritised and that affected members do not suffer financial detriment as a consequence of these delays.The NHSBSA is increasing service delivery capacity within the NHS Pensions team. They are taking measures such as overtime, recruiting additional staff, and upskilling and redeploying current staff within the organisation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23853 on Pharmacy: Contracts, when he expects to conclude the consultation on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework's 2025 to 2026 funding contract.

The Government recently resumed its consultation on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework regarding funding arrangements for 2024/25 and 2025/26. As is custom and practice, we expect to announce the outcome in a joint letter to contractors in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 23855 on General Practitioners: Hospitals, if he will publish data on the variation in the use of Advice and Guidance.

Data on the variation in Advice and Guidance by integrated care board (ICB) and provider is published monthly by NHS England and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/outpatient-transformation/specialist-advice/Data by ICB and provider is available for the total number of requests made by general practitioners, by the number of requests that have been responded to in secondary care, known as processed requests, and by the number of processed requests that have been returned to the sender with advice for management in general practice, known as diverted requests.The proposals in the Elective Reform Plan to significantly increase Advice and Guidance were in recognition of the significant variation that exists in use, and the benefit we know it can have on patients to receive more timely care in the right place. We will be closely monitoring progress throughout 2025/26.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 23857 on NHS Business Services Authority: Workplace Pensions, what steps he is taking to (a) rectify the issue and (b) provide support to impacted individuals.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is proactively rectifying the 2023/24 pension savings calculation errors by providing regular updates and support to impacted members. They will be issuing an up to date 2023/24 pension saving statement to all members who need one, and they are working on this as a matter of urgency. The NHS Pension Service is also reviewing and updating quality assurance processes with the involvement of key stakeholders.The NHSBSA is sharing guidance from HM Revenue and Customs with members to support the completion of Self-Assessment Tax Returns, to the relevant deadlines, and to show how to rectify returns and avoid penalties.The NHSBSA has confirmed that they are able to reimburse impacted individuals for the additional costs they may incur as a result of the calculation error. They are also developing a process to allow affected scheme members to fast track a request for reimbursement, provided they keep evidence of charges.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 23850 on Health Services, when he plans to provide an update on whether Advice and Guidance arrangements are agreed as part of GP Contract negotiations.

My Department and NHS England started consultation with the General Practitioners Committee in England, of the British Medical Association, on the 2025/26 GP Contract on 19 December and will consider all proposed policy changes, including Advice and Guidance arrangements. Final changes will be announced before April 2025 in the usual way, following the close of the consultation.

How many meetings he has had with Community Pharmacy England since July 2024.

Ministers meet regularly with external stakeholders on a variety of topics, including, but not limited to, pharmacy. Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly in arrears on the GOV.UK website.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 23857 on NHS Business Services Authority: Workplace Pensions, if he will take steps to prevent further such errors in pension growth calculations.

Following an investigation into the 2023/24 pensions savings calculation error, the NHS Business Services Authority has assured the Department that it understands why the error happened and has put measures in place to prevent future reoccurrence. It has reviewed its calculation processes and is implementing a software fix to its pension administration system. The software fix will ensure calculations accurately reflect the consumer price index rate to produce corrected pension savings calculations.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Minister for Care of 13 January 2025, Official Report, column 128, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of publishing a consultation on the distribution of hospice funding.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We are working at great pace to get this year’s funding to hospices as soon as possible, including having regular discussions involving NHS England and Hospice UK. We are currently finalising the delivery mechanisms and are pleased that Hospice UK stands ready to distribute the money to local hospices throughout England.We are also providing an additional £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices. We are aware that the shift to an integrated care board (ICB) transacted model for 2024/25 was not as smooth a transition as we would have hoped. We are working closely with NHS England so planning for 2025/26 is improved.NHS England is currently making decisions on the allocation and administration mechanisms for the £26 million of revenue funding for children and young people’s hospices in 2025/26 and hopes to communicate plans to the sector later this month.Although palliative and end of life care is mostly provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life and their loved ones. ICBs are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. This will vary depending on 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 NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each area. Therefore, there are no current plans to undertake a review of the distribution of hospice funding.Neither the Department nor NHS England believe that publishing a consultation on the distribution of hospice funding is necessary, but both organisations are in regular discussions with key hospice sector stakeholders on this issue.Earlier this month, I met the major palliative and end of life care, including hospice, stakeholders when long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 23857 on NHS Business Services Authority: Workplace Pensions, if he will undertake a review of the practices of the NHS Business Service Authority.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has investigated the recent pension savings calculation error that affected 2023/24 Pension Savings Statements. This established that the annual consumer price index increase was incorrectly applied to the opening value of 2023/24 pension savings calculations, resulting in the Pension Input Amount being lower than it should be. In light of the findings, robust measures have been put in place to ensure this error does not happen again. NHSBSA reported the issue to The Pensions Regulator and will take any actions that the regulator may require.We will work with the NHS Pensions Board to monitor and hold NHSBSA to account for the quality of scheme administration.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Minister for Care of 13 January 2025, Official Report, column 128, if he will undertake a review of the distribution of hospice funding.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We are working at great pace to get this year’s funding to hospices as soon as possible, including having regular discussions involving NHS England and Hospice UK. We are currently finalising the delivery mechanisms and are pleased that Hospice UK stands ready to distribute the money to local hospices throughout England.We are also providing an additional £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices. We are aware that the shift to an integrated care board (ICB) transacted model for 2024/25 was not as smooth a transition as we would have hoped. We are working closely with NHS England so planning for 2025/26 is improved.NHS England is currently making decisions on the allocation and administration mechanisms for the £26 million of revenue funding for children and young people’s hospices in 2025/26 and hopes to communicate plans to the sector later this month.Although palliative and end of life care is mostly provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life and their loved ones. ICBs are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. This will vary depending on 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 NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each area. Therefore, there are no current plans to undertake a review of the distribution of hospice funding.Neither the Department nor NHS England believe that publishing a consultation on the distribution of hospice funding is necessary, but both organisations are in regular discussions with key hospice sector stakeholders on this issue.Earlier this month, I met the major palliative and end of life care, including hospice, stakeholders when long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Minister for Care of 13 January 2025, Official Report, column 128, what his planned timetable is for discussions between his Department and NHS England on the distribution of hospice funding.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We are working at great pace to get this year’s funding to hospices as soon as possible, including having regular discussions involving NHS England and Hospice UK. We are currently finalising the delivery mechanisms and are pleased that Hospice UK stands ready to distribute the money to local hospices throughout England.We are also providing an additional £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices. We are aware that the shift to an integrated care board (ICB) transacted model for 2024/25 was not as smooth a transition as we would have hoped. We are working closely with NHS England so planning for 2025/26 is improved.NHS England is currently making decisions on the allocation and administration mechanisms for the £26 million of revenue funding for children and young people’s hospices in 2025/26 and hopes to communicate plans to the sector later this month.Although palliative and end of life care is mostly provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life and their loved ones. ICBs are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. This will vary depending on 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 NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each area. Therefore, there are no current plans to undertake a review of the distribution of hospice funding.Neither the Department nor NHS England believe that publishing a consultation on the distribution of hospice funding is necessary, but both organisations are in regular discussions with key hospice sector stakeholders on this issue.Earlier this month, I met the major palliative and end of life care, including hospice, stakeholders when long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

If he will have discussions with (a) NHS England and (b) integrated care boards on the adequacy of NICE guidelines on the management of cerebral palsy in people under 25 years old with no cognitive impairment.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive public and stakeholder engagement. They represent best practice and should be taken fully into account by healthcare professionals in the care and treatment of their patients.NICE is responsible for making decisions on updates to its guidelines and keeps its guidelines under surveillance to ensure that they reflect developments in the evidence base. NICE is not due to update its guideline on the assessment and management of cerebral palsy in people under 25 years old at the current time. If relevant new evidence emerges, NICE will follow its processes and consider whether any update is needed to the current guideline.To support those people under 25 years old who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, NHS England has worked with key stakeholder organisations, including children and young people, and their families and carers, to develop a framework targeted to integrated care systems to be used a supportive tool to aid the commissioning of high-quality services for children and young people with cerebral palsy, including those in the transition period to adult services.NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme aims to improve care for people with neurological conditions in England, including those with cerebral palsy, by reducing variation and delivering care more equitably across the country.  The GIRFT National Speciality Report provided the opportunity to share successful initiatives between trusts to improve patient services nationally.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the care continuity for individuals with Cerebral Palsy with no cognative impairment moving from childrens care pathways to adult support networks.

There are no current plans to make such an assessment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidance on cerebral palsy in under 25 year olds, guidance code NG62, includes recommendations on the transition from children to adult services and stresses the requirement to ensure that an individual's developmental, social, and health needs are addressed when planning and delivering the transition. The guidance also sets out key considerations to be made around transition planning, including: clear pathways involving both the young person's general practitioner and named clinicians in adult services; ensuring sufficient training for the professionals involved in the care; clear communication at each point of transition; and a named worker to support continuity of care.Further NICE guidance on cerebral palsy in adults, code NG119, recommends that adults with cerebral palsy should be offered an annual review of their clinical and functional needs, as part of ongoing care, carried out by a healthcare professional with expertise in neurodisabilities.NHS England has worked with key stakeholder organisations, including children and young people, and their families and carers, to develop a framework targeted at integrated care systems to be used as a supportive tool to aid in the commissioning of high-quality services for children and young people with cerebral palsy, including those in the transition period to adult services.In the NHS Long Term Plan, NHS England committed to delivering a service model for zero to 25-year-olds to improve young people’s experiences and health outcomes. To aid implementation of this model, the Children and Young People’s Transformation programme collaborated with key partners to develop national guidance on how the National Health Service can better support young people’s transfer into adolescent and adult services. The guidance is due to be published shortly and will be hosted on the NHS England website. The policy aligns with existing NICE guidelines, code NG43, and outlines the principles and steps of a zero to 25-year-old service model, along with best practice examples from across the country.The Children and Young People’s Transformation programme is working with the NHS Youth Forum to gather the experiences and ideas of young people on adolescent healthcare. The forum will develop recommendations to inform future policies on healthcare transition, including how to deliver developmentally appropriate and person-centred care.

With reference to the publication by NHS England entitled Reforming elective care for patients, published on 6 January 2025, whether the fee paid to GPs for providing advice and guidance with hospital specialists will cover the costs of any subsequent follow up request for further guidance.

Advice and Guidance services enhance two-way communication between clinical colleagues in primary and secondary care. The Elective Reform Plan has committed to ensuring that general practitioners (GPs) will receive £20 per Advice and Guidance request, to recognise the importance of their role in ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right clinical setting.Each Advice and Guidance request will be funded at £20, which is to cover any back and forth required between a GP and a hospital specialist to reach a resolution, and this may be one interaction or several dependant interactions.

With reference to the publication by NHS England entitled Reforming elective care for patients, published on 6 January 2025, whether he has had recent discussions with General Practitioners on the potential impact of changes to the legal framework on advice and guidance pathways.

The Department and NHS England started consultation with the General Practitioners Committee in England, of the British Medical Association, on the 2025/26 GP Contract on 19 December, and will consider all proposed policy changes, including advice and guidance arrangements. Final changes will be announced in the usual way, following the close of the consultation in 2025.

When he plans to publish the call for evidence for the men’s health strategy; and what estimate he has made of when the men’s health strategy will be published.

On 28 November 2024, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced plans for England’s first Men’s Health Strategy, to be delivered this year.The strategy will be informed by a call for evidence which will be launched shortly. The call for evidence will seek views on what is currently working and what more needs to be done to support the health of all men.

If he will provide an update on negotiations with NHS England on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.

We have been clear that we want to work with the sector on a service fit for the future. Now that the Budget for the Government has been set, we will shortly be resuming our consultation with Community Pharmacy England regarding the funding arrangements for community pharmacy.