Written questions by Pritchard.

What plans he has to reduce diagnosis times for leukaemia in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Awaiting answer.

What plans he has to ensure that student midwifes graduating this year can find employment in the profession.

Decisions on recruitment and employment are a matter for individual National Health Service trusts, which manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effec...

What plans he has to improve access to clinical trials for brain cancer treatments.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with brain cancers, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments.The Department is supporting the delivery of brain cancer clinical trials thro...

Whether he plans to appoint a men's health ambassador.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to appoint a men's health ambassador.

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

What steps his Department is taking to secure alternative treatments for people at risk of adrenal crisis following the discontinuation of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate solution, which is commonly known as liquid hydrocortisone, in the UK.

The Department is aware of the discontinuation of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate 100 milligram/1 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.

What assessment his Department has made of the (a) prevalence of respiratory disease and (b) number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in (i) the Wrekin constituency and (ii) Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin compared with national averages.

Data is available for emergency Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs) where there was a primary diagnosis of 'respiratory conditions’. The following table shows the FAEs where there was a primary diagnosis of 'respiratory conditions’ for the Telford and The Wrekin constituencies, as well as for England, in English National Health Service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector, for 2024/25 and provisionally for 2025/26:Westminster Parliamentary Constituency of Residence2024/25 (August 2024 to March 2025)2025/26 (April 2025 to November 2025)The Wrekin15601290Telford18251430England608,449423,588Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS England.Available data on trends in respiratory conditions can be found on the Department’s fingertips dataset. Data is not available by parliamentary constituency. Data is available at regional, county, unitary authority, and integrated care board level. Information for Shropshire can be found at the following link:https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/Respiratory#page/1/gid/1/pat/15/ati/502/are/E06000051/iid/40701/age/163/sex/4/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/1/cid/4/tbm/1

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure earlier diagnosis of endometriosis.

It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis, and we are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis.As announced in September 2025, we will establish an “online hospital”, NHS Online, which will give people across the country on certain pathways the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home.Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best.NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis sooner.The General Medical Council (GMC) has introduced the Medical Licensing Assessment to encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom. The content for this assessment includes several topics relating to women’s health, including endometriosis.In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated their guideline on endometriosis, which makes firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with suspected diagnosis, and will help the estimated one in 10 women with endometriosis receive a diagnosis faster. NICE is working with the National Health Service to ensure adoption of this best practice endometriosis care.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a Modern Service Framework on lung health.

The Government will consider long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks (MSFs), including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. After the initial wave of MSFs is complete, the National Quality Board will determine the conditions to prioritise for new MSFs as part of its work programme.

When he plans to develop a new National Autism Strategy.

The Government will develop a new autism strategy. I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Manchester Rusholme on 26 February 2026 to Question 114228.

What comparative estimate he has made of the (a) cost to the NHS and social care services of age-related macular degeneration-related sight loss and (b) potential cost savings of increased funding for preventative and curative research.

The Department has not made a specific comparative estimate of the cost to the National Health Service and adult social care of age‑related macular degeneration‑related sight loss. Whilst it is not possible to estimate the potential cost savings from increased funding for specific preventative and curative research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) provides a large economic return to society. For every £1 invested in NIHR research, over £13 of economic benefit is returned to the nation.

What proportion of medical research funding has been allocated to eye research in each of the last five financial years; and what proportion of that funding has been directed towards age-related macular degeneration.

The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research. In the last five financial years it has awarded £26.2 million on eye research which has included £6.2 million on age related macular degeneration.

If he will commission research into the potential impact of the daily use of mobile phones on eye diseases and health-related conditions.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is funding research into the possible health impacts of mobile phone use on health, although this has not focused on eye diseases. The NIHR Policy Research Programme has allocated approximately £2 million of funding to support the United Kingdom arm of the pan-European Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Health. This international cohort study has been funded since 2014 and is investigating possible health effects from long-term use of mobile phones and other wireless technologies. Specific health effects being examined are brain and other tumours, heart disease, stroke, fertility, birth events, for instance low birth weight or preterm birth, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental health conditions. Previously, NIHR provided £1.5 million to the Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones, which has investigated whether children’s use of mobile phones might affect their cognitive or behavioural development.The NIHR welcomes research funding applications in any aspect of health and care, including the impact of mobile phone use on eye diseases.

If his Department will publish a Modern Service Framework on kidney disease.

The Government will consider long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks (MSFs), including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. After the initial wave of MSFs is complete, the National Quality Board will determine the conditions to prioritise for new MSFs as part of its work programme.

Whether he plans to introduce (a) ring-fenced and (b) targeted funding for research into age-related macular degeneration; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of such funding on long-term sight-loss prevention.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Research funds are not usually ringfenced into specific conditions and there is not a target for research funding into age-related macular degeneration. However, the NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including age-related macular degeneration. Our approach to funding research is through open and fair competition and peer review to ensure that the highest-quality proposals, most likely to deliver real impact for patients, are funded without imposing financial targets or limits. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topicThe nature of research means it is difficult to provide a precise assessment on impact against specific conditions, although there have been times when it has responded to Government commitments to spend pre-specified amounts of money on research in particular areas. In the last five financial years the NIHR has awarded £26.2 million on eye research which has included £6.2 million on Age Related Macular Degeneration

What steps he is taking to (a) increase the availability of aspirin and (b) normalise aspirin supply chains.

The Department is aware of a recent disruption to the supply of aspirin dispersible tablets and are working with suppliers to understand the causes and aid a return to normal supply as soon as possible. Supply issues have been addressed, and stock is regularly being made available for pharmacies to order.We are working with all partners in the supply chain, including manufacturers and United Kingdom distributors, to ensure maximum accessibility to pharmacies and hospitals irrespective of where they are in the country.The Department will continue to monitor the situation and expects supplies to return to normal over the coming weeks.

What steps he is taking to support research into inflammatory bowel disease on reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with inflammatory bowel disease, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative treatments. The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Since April 2025, the NIHR has funded a total of 40 projects into Crohn's and Colitis research, with a combined total funding value of £17.6 million, and including studies aimed at reducing time to diagnosis, such as the Redesign a faster Pathway to Inflammatory bowel disease Diagnosis study, with further information available at the following link:https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR305671

What discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on improving neurodevelopmental training for GPs on ADHD and autism across all ages.

General practitioners (GPs) are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge, including on autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This activity should include taking account of new research and developments in guidance, such as that produced by the National Institute and Care Excellence, to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients.All United Kingdom-registered doctors are expected to meet the professional standards set out in the General Medical Council’s (GMC’s) Good Medical Practice. The training curriculum for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners and must meet the standards set by the GMC.The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a statutory requirement that all providers registered with the Care Quality Commission must ensure their staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role, including GPs. To support this, a Code of Practice (Code) was published and finalised on 6 September 2025 setting out the Government’s expectations on training content and delivery. The Government is rolling out the recommended package, the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, to health and adult social care staff.NHS England is in the process of awarding a tender to pilot a Neurodevelopmental Credential for Doctors regardless of their field of practice and this will be available to GPs. The aim is to provide a training option pre- and post-Certification of Completion of Training, so that eligible doctors can gain the necessary specialist skills to enable them to work effectively in the growing number of specialist services for people with neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as in settings where people with neurodevelopmental conditions are part of a complex clinical picture.

What advice and support his Department is providing to people in Shropshire who claim they have contracted, or might develop, serious illnesses as a result of using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products.

Individuals in Shropshire who believe they may have been affected by use of talcum products should seek medical advice from their general practitioner. They may also wish to consider contacting specialist organisations for support and information on legal action.The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe. Additives in medicines, termed excipients, are required to comply with the standards laid down in pharmacopeial monographs and can only be included in medicinal products at levels that are considered to be safe.The MHRA is aware of general concerns in relation to the presence of asbestos in commercial talcum powder. However, pharmaceutical grade talcum powder has strict controls on the presence of asbestos. The British Pharmacopeia monograph for Purified Talc states that “Talc derived from deposits that are known to contain associated asbestos is not suitable for pharmaceutical use”. Furthermore, testing is required to confirm the absence of asbestos.Oversight of commercial talc powder, including advice and support, falls within the remit of the Department for Business and Trade and specifically the Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). The OPSS is the regulator of product safety and seeks to ensure that manufacturers, importers, and all those in the supply chain take steps to ensure that consumer products are safe, and they take any reports of negative health outcomes related to products incredibly seriously. Any serious undesirable effects related to cosmetic products should be directly reported to OPSS, to ensure that they can take the correct action. If a consumer wishes to report a serious undesirable effect, OPSS recommend contacting Trading Standards who can support with the process.

What steps his Department is taking to improve early diagnosis rates of blood cancers in Shropshire.

The Department continues to support the National Health Service to diagnose and treat cancer, including blood cancers, as early and fast as possible. We recognise that patients with cancers with non-specific symptoms (NSS) such as blood cancer, are waiting too long for diagnosis and subsequent treatment.To tackle late, emergency setting diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS has implemented NSS pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, including in Shropshire, with blood cancers being one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan. It will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment and ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.