Written questions by Evans.

What recent discussions he has had with (a) the Dispensing Doctors Association (b) the British Medical Association, and (c) NHS England on NHS England ceasing to centrally fund the EMIS Web dispensing module from 1 April 2026.

Central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module will remain in place until 31 March 2027. Consultation with relevant bodies including the Dispensing Doctors’ Association and the British Medical Association will take place to help inform the long-term approach regarding the way dispensing is funded, in advance of the expiry of the 12-month extension NHS England have put in place.

Whether he has held recent discussions with NHS England on the future of their centralised funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module.

Central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module will remain in place until 31 March 2027. Consultation with relevant bodies including the Dispensing Doctors’ Association and the British Medical Association will take place to help inform the long-term approach regarding the way dispensing is funded, in advance of the expiry of the 12-month extension NHS England have put in place.

Pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2026 to WPQ 122758, if his Department will publish a list of all the (a) professional and (b) clinical criteria which staff will need to meet in order to triage in the Elective Single Point of Access Model.

Amanda Doyle, the National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, wrote to general practices and primary care networks regarding the introduction of elective Single Point of Access (SPoA) in April 2026. The letter clarified that under this model, requests for specialist advice and referrals are to be clinically reviewed by a named consultant.Where a local SPoA model is already in place or is established by local agreement between primary and secondary care, provided there is clear accountability and oversight from a named consultant, this may continue.The letter also sets out the expectations for consultants and general practitioners, as well as operational standards under a SPoA model. A general practitioner’s clinical decision to refer and existing professional and legal accountabilities remain unchanged.

How the clinical importance of ketotifen for specific patient groups is reflected in the Department’s medicines supply shortage management and mitigation processes.

The supplier of ketotifen (Zaditen) one milligram tablets has confirmed that there is currently no shortage of this product, and it is in stock and available to order.While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients.

Whether his Department plans to reopen the Birthing Centre in Crowborough; and what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of its closure on access to maternity care for residents in Sussex Weald.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Crowborough Birthing Centre on (a) public health and (b) patient safety in Sussex Weald; what assurances can he provide that maternity care provision will not be adversely affected; and whether such closures form part of a wider cost-saving strategy.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the (a) Ministry of Justice, (b) Department for Education and (c) Government Equalities Office including in their workstreams into the work of the Men's Health Strategy Stakeholder Group.

The Men’s Health Stakeholder Group is an advisory group that provides advice to the Department on the implementation of the Men’s Health Strategy. It reports to the Men’s Health Project Board. The project board coordinates delivery across the Department and works with other relevant Government departments that are responsible for actions in the strategy. The project board reports to the Minister responsible for men’s health.Information relating to the Men’s Health Stakeholder Group, including membership and meeting minutes, is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/mens-health-strategy-governanceThe Department is closely engaged with the work of the Deputy Prime Minister, who is leading a cross-Government agenda on improving outcomes for men and boys. The Deputy Prime Minister is convening departments and partners to deliver coordinated action, focusing on three core themes: education and employment; health and wellbeing; and masculinities and connection. The Deputy Prime Minister recently chaired the first Inter-Ministerial Group on this issue, to which the Department of Health and Social Care heavily contributed and a minister attended.

What recent discussions he has had with the Mens Health Strategy Stakeholder Group to monitor the implementation of the Mens Health Strategy.

The Men’s Health Stakeholder Group is an advisory group that provides advice to the Department on the implementation of the Men’s Health Strategy. It reports to the Men’s Health Project Board. The project board coordinates delivery across the Department and works with other relevant Government departments that are responsible for actions in the strategy. The project board reports to the Minister responsible for men’s health.Information relating to the Men’s Health Stakeholder Group, including membership and meeting minutes, is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/mens-health-strategy-governanceThe Department is closely engaged with the work of the Deputy Prime Minister, who is leading a cross-Government agenda on improving outcomes for men and boys. The Deputy Prime Minister is convening departments and partners to deliver coordinated action, focusing on three core themes: education and employment; health and wellbeing; and masculinities and connection. The Deputy Prime Minister recently chaired the first Inter-Ministerial Group on this issue, to which the Department of Health and Social Care heavily contributed and a minister attended.

Whether minutes were taken for the discussions of the Men's Health Strategy Stakeholder Group.

The Men’s Health Stakeholder Group is an advisory group that provides advice to the Department on the implementation of the Men’s Health Strategy. It reports to the Men’s Health Project Board. The project board coordinates delivery across the Department and works with other relevant Government departments that are responsible for actions in the strategy. The project board reports to the Minister responsible for men’s health.Information relating to the Men’s Health Stakeholder Group, including membership and meeting minutes, is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/mens-health-strategy-governanceThe Department is closely engaged with the work of the Deputy Prime Minister, who is leading a cross-Government agenda on improving outcomes for men and boys. The Deputy Prime Minister is convening departments and partners to deliver coordinated action, focusing on three core themes: education and employment; health and wellbeing; and masculinities and connection. The Deputy Prime Minister recently chaired the first Inter-Ministerial Group on this issue, to which the Department of Health and Social Care heavily contributed and a minister attended.

What statutory and third party bodies are members of the Men's Health Strategy Stakeholder Group.

The Men’s Health Stakeholder Group is an advisory group that provides advice to the Department on the implementation of the Men’s Health Strategy. It reports to the Men’s Health Project Board. The project board coordinates delivery across the Department and works with other relevant Government departments that are responsible for actions in the strategy. The project board reports to the Minister responsible for men’s health.Information relating to the Men’s Health Stakeholder Group, including membership and meeting minutes, is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/mens-health-strategy-governanceThe Department is closely engaged with the work of the Deputy Prime Minister, who is leading a cross-Government agenda on improving outcomes for men and boys. The Deputy Prime Minister is convening departments and partners to deliver coordinated action, focusing on three core themes: education and employment; health and wellbeing; and masculinities and connection. The Deputy Prime Minister recently chaired the first Inter-Ministerial Group on this issue, to which the Department of Health and Social Care heavily contributed and a minister attended.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact social prescribing on supporting men with mental health issues.

No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact of social prescribing for supporting mental health and wellbeing in men. The Department recognises the value of social prescribing for men. The Men’s Health Strategy, launched on 19 November 2025, includes partnerships with sports organisations to support mental health and social connection. The Department has commissioned national research into different workstreams for social prescribing. This includes evaluation of the impact of activities such as nature-based interventions for people with mental ill-health.

How many (a) Remedial Service Statements and (b) Remedial Pensions Saving Statements remain outstanding.

The NHS Business Services Authority, which administers the NHS Pension Scheme on behalf of my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that, as of 23 April 2026, there are 429,451 Remedial Service Statements and 20,185 Remedial Pension Savings Statements outstanding.

When does he plan to publish updated deadlines for the delivery of (a) Remedial Service Statements and (b) Remedial Pension Saving Statements.

The Department recognises the importance of providing NHS Pension Scheme members certainty about when they will receive their Remediable Service Statement. An independent review team is assessing the NHS Business Service Authority’s revised plans for the delivery of the McCloud remedy for NHS Pension Scheme members. Subject to the review team's assurance, in May 2026, we intend to issue new deadlines for Remedial Service Statements and update the House on delivery of Remedial Pension Savings Statements.

What recent discussions he has had with [i] the NHS and [ii] baby loss organisations about the [a] impact of baby loss on fathers and [b] support services needed to support those fathers.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of NHS England's policy of mandatory Advice and Guidance and Elective Single Point of Access on GPs’ professional duties under General Medical Council guidance.

The 2026/27 GP Contract embeds the current Advice and Guidance (A&G) enhanced service funding into core practice funding. The contract does not mandate the use of A&G in all circumstances. Instead, practices are expected to use A&G in relation to a planned care referral where clinically appropriate, and to follow locally agreed referral pathways. This reflects longstanding planned care referral practice and does not alter existing legal or professional accountability frameworks for general practitioners (GPs).GPs, and other primary care referrers, remain professionally accountable for making appropriate clinical decisions, including referring patients to specialist care when it is in the patient’s best interests. The use of A&G and Single Point of Access does not override those responsibilities or place GPs in conflict between contractual and professional obligations.

How much central funding does NHS England currently provide to fund the EMIS Web dispensing module

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

For how long he expects NHS England to continue central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What consultation did his Department undertake before NHS England's decision to cease central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module from 1 April 2026

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Whether he has held recent discussions with NHS England on the future of their centralised funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What recent discussions he has had with (a) the Dispensing Doctors Association (b) the British Medical Association, and (c) NHS England on NHS England ceasing to centrally fund the EMIS Web dispensing module from 1 April 2026.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.