Written questions by Cordova.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing support to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in reviewing (a) guidance and (b) regulations for the (i) licensing and (ii) packaging of medicines to ensure their safe use by blind and partially sighted people.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) already has provision in the current Human Medicines Regulations 2012 No 1916 legislation, to ensure the licensing and packaging of medicines are safe for use by blind and partially sighted people. These require manufacturers of medicines to include braille on their packaging of medicinal products, so that those who are partially sighted or who are blind can effectively identify the product they have been prescribed and dispensed.They also require medicine manufacturers to provide an alternative version of the patient information leaflet (PIL), should the paper version contained in the box not be suitable in meeting the patients’ needs. These alternative versions may include braille or audio versions of the PIL. The MHRA’s best practice guidance also provides manufacturers with guidance on how to ensure they meet the requirements of the legislation.The MHRA recognises that there is opportunity to improve patient information based upon user research, to ensure it fulfils the needs of this patient group and others. They are also committed to embedding patient voices across the regulatory pathways as part of their Patient Involvement Strategy 2021. The current strategy is also being refreshed for 2026 re-launch.

What steps his Department plans to take to help tackle barriers to the safe use of medical devices for the management of diabetes among partially sighted and blind people.

The Department and the National Health Service work with suppliers and manufacturers to help improve the accessibility and safe use of medical devices for the management of diabetes among partially sighted and blind people. It is recommended to suppliers that people with experience of visual and hearing impairment should be included and considered in the design of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and hybrid closed loop systems, as well as in the user information and instructions that accompany their supply and use.Suppliers of the hybrid closed loop must provide educational materials appropriate for those who are visually impaired, and commissioning recommendations for blood glucose, ketone meters, testing strips, and lancets include recommendations for cohorts of the population, including the visually impaired. These commissioning recommendations are available at the following link:PRN00037-v3-commissioning-recommendations-following-the-national-assessment-of-blood-glucose-and-ketone-meters.pdfFinally, the Department is in the process of modernising the listing of medical devices on the NHS Drug Tariff to further improve access by building in incentives for suppliers for cohorts of the population, such as partially sighted and blind people, who need added features.

If his Department will consult with blind and partially sighted patients on potential accessibility improvements to the NHS App.

We are working to improve access to digital services, outcomes, and experiences for the widest range of people, based on their preferences. Patients unable to use digital channels can continue to access services via telephone and through traditional face to face services.We conduct user research on an ongoing basis with users from diverse backgrounds to ensure our service works for everyone. This includes patients with a range of access needs and diverse groups, for instance ethnic minority groups, those with visual impairments, neurodiversity, and physical impairments. We have recruited users who are blind or partially sighted in community-based research, research with local National Health Service teams, and in remote research, either one to one or in groups. We use the findings of user research to plan and prioritise new work to improve accessibility.Centrally built services, such as the NHS App and NHS website, are designed to meet international accessibility standards. We are modernising the mobile patient experience within the NHS App, ensuring information is clearly structured and easy to find and understand.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 32209 on Health and Care Act 2022, when he expects the Accessible Information Standard to (a) be published and (b) become mandatory.

NHS England is working to support implementation of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) with awareness raising, communication and engagement, and a review of the current e-learning modules on the AIS. The intention is to ensure that staff and organisations in the National Health Service are aware of the AIS and the importance of meeting the information and communication needs of disabled people using these services. The revised standards are expected to be published in summer 2025. In the meantime, the current AIS remains in force and public health and adult social care providers will continue to have due regard for it. As part of new arrangements that will make information standards mandatory, following the commencement of regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022, we intend to introduce mandatory information standards in a staged process. The Department and NHS England are considering what will be the first standards to be adopted under this process. To ensure a frictionless transition from the existing information standards system to the new process for mandatory information standards, information standards made under the existing system will continue to have effect until they have been revoked, have expired, or have met the new procedural requirements and therefore become mandatory.

What steps the cross-government Health Mission Board plans to take to help tackle the impact of poverty on the health of disabled people.

We have established a Health Mission Board to oversee and drive the delivery of the Health Mission. Mission Boards are Cabinet Committees. It is a long-established precedent that information about the proceedings of the Cabinet or of any committee of the Cabinet is not normally shared publicly; this includes mission boards.One of the key goals of the Health Mission is a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer. This includes championing the rights of disabled people. Under the Equality Act 2010, health and social care organisations must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of expediting the implementation of section 95 of the Health and Care Act 2022 on the rights of disabled people.

Following commencement of the regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022, new arrangements will come into effect to make information standards mandatory. Existing standards will need to go through a new process to become mandatory, and once a standard becomes mandatory, organisations will be expected to comply. The timing for the Accessible Information Standard will be considered along with those of the other existing standards. These arrangements are expected to happen this year, once the regulations have been approved by Parliament.The intent of making information standards mandatory is to improve the rigour of standards, and the consistency of their application. The implementation of Section 95 should have a beneficial impact on those using services, by contributing to the effective operation of the health and care sector. The Accessible Information Standard is intended to improve the accessibility of information, while other standards often specify the technical basis for ensuring that data flows through the system in a usable and standardised form, improving the quality of care and patient outcomes. Information standards do not affect people’s rights.NHS England commissioned the North of England Commissioning Support Unit to review compliance with the Accessible Information Standard, prior to reviewing the standard. Their findings matched the independent reviews undertaken by Sign Health and Healthwatch, that implementation was inconsistent. NHS England has considered how to strengthen compliance with the standard, including the requirement to identify local implementation leads, and the development and testing of a self-assessment framework.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of making the NHS Accessible Information Standard mandatory in all NHS England health and social care settings on the ability of (a) deaf and (b) visually impaired people to access healthcare.

Following commencement of the regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022, new arrangements will come into effect to make information standards mandatory. Existing standards will need to go through a new process to become mandatory, and once a standard becomes mandatory, organisations will be expected to comply. The timing for the Accessible Information Standard will be considered along with those of the other existing standards. These arrangements are expected to happen this year, once the regulations have been approved by Parliament.The intent of making information standards mandatory is to improve the rigour of standards, and the consistency of their application. The implementation of Section 95 should have a beneficial impact on those using services, by contributing to the effective operation of the health and care sector. The Accessible Information Standard is intended to improve the accessibility of information, while other standards often specify the technical basis for ensuring that data flows through the system in a usable and standardised form, improving the quality of care and patient outcomes. Information standards do not affect people’s rights.NHS England commissioned the North of England Commissioning Support Unit to review compliance with the Accessible Information Standard, prior to reviewing the standard. Their findings matched the independent reviews undertaken by Sign Health and Healthwatch, that implementation was inconsistent. NHS England has considered how to strengthen compliance with the standard, including the requirement to identify local implementation leads, and the development and testing of a self-assessment framework.

How many outpatient paediatric ophthalmology appointments for children under 19 years were (a) cancelled and (b) missed because the patient did not attend in 2023-24.

Patients awaiting outpatient care make up over 85% of the elective waiting list, which includes children. Minimising missed appointments will help us to make sure we maximise the use of clinical time and ensure that all patients can be seen sooner. This i...

Whether he has made an estimate of the cost to outpatient paediatric ophthalmology of (a) cancelled appointments and (b) appointments missed because the patient did not attend in 2023-24.

Patients awaiting outpatient care make up over 85% of the elective waiting list, which includes children. Minimising missed appointments will help us to make sure we maximise the use of clinical time and ensure that all patients can be seen sooner. This i...

If he will require NHS England to publish Referral To Treatment waiting times for (a) glaucoma, (b) macular degeneration and (c) other irreversible sight loss conditions separately from minor and r

There are no current plans to require NHS England to publish Referral to Treatment waiting times for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other irreversible sight loss conditions separately from minor and reversible eye condition waiting times.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) assessment of and (b) access to specialist treatments for rare diseases.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, including improving access to specialist care, treatm...

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients living with rare inherited retinal diseases receive (a) timely and (b) equitable access to new treatments.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as rare inherited retinal diseases. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, including im...

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2024 to Question 2469 on Health Services: Disability, when he expects NHS England's review of the Accessible Information Standard to be published.

We understand how vital it is to ensure that the communication needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment or sensory loss are met by health services. A revised AIS is being reviewed with a view to publication once it has been through NHS E...

What steps he is taking to ensure that all NHS information systems can print information in accessible formats.

Under the Accessible Information Standard, services should verify that where a patient needs to access information on a website, it is accessible to them. If not, services should make the information available in another way, for instance as a paper copy,...

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 1339 on Accessible Information Standard, for what reason NHS England cannot provide a specific date for publication.

NHS England is unable to provide an exact date for the publication of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), due to their internal assurance and governance process. In addition, the AIS can only be published once the accessible versions are in place, all web content has been produced, and all stakeholders have been informed in advance, all of which can only be considered post-internal assurance and governance.It should be noted that the current AIS remains in force and therefore, there should not be a gap in provision for people using services.

What steps he is taking to ensure that all NHS providers are producing information in format that is in line with the Accessible Information Standard.

Under the Equality Act (2010), health and social care organisations must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged. National Health Service organisations and publicly funded social care providers must comply with the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) to meet the communication needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss.Once the revised standard receives publishing approval, NHS England will continue work to support implementation with awareness raising, communication and engagement, and updated e-learning modules on the AIS to ensure NHS staff are better aware of the standard, and their roles and responsibilities in implementing it.NHS England is in the process of developing updated e-learning training modules on the AIS, to complement the updated AIS. These will raise awareness of the standard and ensure that NHS staff can access up to date training on their roles and responsibilities under the AIS, which should support better and more consistent implementation of the standard.

When he expects NHS England to publish the updated Accessible Information Standard.

The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) review has been completed, and the updated standard and supporting documents are in the process of being transferred to web copy. NHS England is working on ensuring accessible versions are available for publication, and is making updates to the AIS e-learning modules in line with the new standard. NHS England is ensuring that all stakeholders involved in the review of the AIS have had ample opportunity to feedback on the process. The AIS documentation is going through NHS England's publication approval process. NHS England cannot provide a specific date for publication of the AIS, but aim to publish it soon.

What the cost to the public purse is of implementing the Accessible Information Standard.

NHS England is committed to implementing the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) effectively. NHS England has identified a number of ways to support the standard, including through a self-assessment framework, and has committed to reviewing the efficacy of implementation. This will be achieved through existing staffing and team allocations.For health and care systems, the AIS is an existing standard which has been in place since 2016, and we would expect systems to implement it within existing budgets, making it a priority where any costs are accrued to implement it. NHS England has invested officer time in developing the standard, and will invest further staff time in the launch and suitable communications as planned.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure NHS England is complying with the Accessible Information Standard.

NHS England remains committed to implementing the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) effectively, and this remains a priority for the People and Communities division. NHS England has identified a number of ways to support the standard, including through a self-assessment framework, and has committed to reviewing the efficacy of implementation.When NHS England publishes anything, the item will require approval via their publications approval process. This involves checking the item for compliance with website accessibility guidelines as well as general accessibility, for example complexity of language. In addition, their Equality and Involvement team will, as part of the process, review the proposed content and approach, with a view to ensuring that it is compliant with the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality duty, before giving clearance. The Department has included the AIS within the NHS England mandate, which illustrates the commitment to NHS England implementing the AIS in its work.

What data he holds on the number of people accessing NHS services who did not receive information in an accessible format.

The requested data is not held centrally.