Written questions by Wrigley.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the availability of radiotherapy services to patients in Devon.

We will improve National Health Service waiting time performance, so patients are diagnosed faster and have quicker access to the treatments they require, including radiotherapy. However, we do recognise that there is much more to be done to ensure that this is the reality for all patients across the country, including Devon.Radiotherapy is vital in cancer care, and it remains a key priority for the Government to reduce radiotherapy waiting times and provide the highest quality of treatment available. This is why the Government has invested £70 million of central funding on 28 new LINAC radiotherapy machines across the country to replace older, less efficient radiotherapy machines. The new machines were allocated across England and funding was allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England developed. These criteria focused on the age of the machine being replaced, the proportion of older machines in use within the trust, and the trust’s performance on radiotherapy. The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, the local provider for cancer services in Devon, has been awarded funding for a replacement machine.The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will ensure all patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.

If she will take steps to improve radiotherapy services in Devon.

We will improve National Health Service waiting time performance, so patients are diagnosed faster and have quicker access to the treatments they require, including radiotherapy. However, we do recognise that there is much more to be done to ensure that this is the reality for all patients across the country, including Devon.Radiotherapy is vital in cancer care, and it remains a key priority for the Government to reduce radiotherapy waiting times and provide the highest quality of treatment available. This is why the Government has invested £70 million of central funding on 28 new LINAC radiotherapy machines across the country to replace older, less efficient radiotherapy machines. The new machines were allocated across England and funding was allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England developed. These criteria focused on the age of the machine being replaced, the proportion of older machines in use within the trust, and the trust’s performance on radiotherapy. The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, the local provider for cancer services in Devon, has been awarded funding for a replacement machine.The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will ensure all patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.

What recent discussions NHS England has had with ICBs on the number of GP surgery expansion applications awaiting capital funding.

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.Surgery expansion and new builds are considered by local integrated care boards (ICB’s) under the auspices of The National Health Service (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions 2024, with further information available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663cd8d2bd01f5ed32793867/nhs_general-medical-services-premises-costs_directions-2024.pdfThis guidance sets out the clear and transparent criteria for the application process and provide the ability for ICBs to invest capital into new primary care premises, which was not supported under earlier versions.To further support general practice contractors and ICBs, NHS England has published two documents, the Guide to the changes to primary care premises policy document, to provide an overview of the changes to the directions, and the Primary care capital grants policy document, to provide guidance on the investment of capital. Both documents are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guide-to-the-changes-to-primary-care-premises-policy/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-care-capital-grants-policy/For this financial year, 2025/26, the Government is providing £102 million of capital investment into upgrading the general practice estate across England in the form of the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund. Using targeted investment to create additional clinical capacity enabling practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. Most of the schemes will involve the repurposing of existing accommodation with a small number of modest surgery extensions.

What discussions he has had with ICBs on providing GP practices with (a) clearer and (b) more transparent criteria on the approval process for (i) surgery expansion and (ii) new builds.

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.Surgery expansion and new builds are considered by local integrated care boards (ICB’s) under the auspices of The National Health Service (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions 2024, with further information available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663cd8d2bd01f5ed32793867/nhs_general-medical-services-premises-costs_directions-2024.pdfThis guidance sets out the clear and transparent criteria for the application process and provide the ability for ICBs to invest capital into new primary care premises, which was not supported under earlier versions.To further support general practice contractors and ICBs, NHS England has published two documents, the Guide to the changes to primary care premises policy document, to provide an overview of the changes to the directions, and the Primary care capital grants policy document, to provide guidance on the investment of capital. Both documents are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guide-to-the-changes-to-primary-care-premises-policy/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-care-capital-grants-policy/For this financial year, 2025/26, the Government is providing £102 million of capital investment into upgrading the general practice estate across England in the form of the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund. Using targeted investment to create additional clinical capacity enabling practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. Most of the schemes will involve the repurposing of existing accommodation with a small number of modest surgery extensions.

What steps he is taking to ensure that local decision-making by ICBs is in line with national strategic priorities for primary care infrastructure growth.

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.Surgery expansion and new builds are considered by local integrated care boards (ICB’s) under the auspices of The National Health Service (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions 2024, with further information available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663cd8d2bd01f5ed32793867/nhs_general-medical-services-premises-costs_directions-2024.pdfThis guidance sets out the clear and transparent criteria for the application process and provide the ability for ICBs to invest capital into new primary care premises, which was not supported under earlier versions.To further support general practice contractors and ICBs, NHS England has published two documents, the Guide to the changes to primary care premises policy document, to provide an overview of the changes to the directions, and the Primary care capital grants policy document, to provide guidance on the investment of capital. Both documents are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guide-to-the-changes-to-primary-care-premises-policy/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-care-capital-grants-policy/For this financial year, 2025/26, the Government is providing £102 million of capital investment into upgrading the general practice estate across England in the form of the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund. Using targeted investment to create additional clinical capacity enabling practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. Most of the schemes will involve the repurposing of existing accommodation with a small number of modest surgery extensions.

What the average time taken is for GP practices to secure funding for expansion through ICBs; and how his Department plans to reduce that time.

The Government recognises the importance of strategic, value for money investments in capital projects, such as new facilities, significant upgrades, or other targeted capital investments.There is no average time for securing funding for expansions as each application is treated individually and multiple factors such as planning permission, recurrent revenue funding associated with the reimbursable elements, and legal agreements to protect the investment must be considered for each application.The Department continues to actively seek ways to improve and streamline our processes and we have announced our aim to fundamentally reform the financial system in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan. In parallel, a standard, simplified Grant Agreement has been developed and is being tested for capital schemes under £144,000. This is supporting a fast-track process for securing grant agreements for relatively low value schemes. We will continue to review all elements of the premises development approvals process to help improve productivity and reduce the overall time to secure approval and deliver expansions of primary care premises.

Whether his Department plans to review capital funding allocation processes for new GP premises, in the context of the potential impact of the integrated care board framework on such expansions.

The Government recognises the importance of strategic, value for money investments in capital projects, such as new general practice (GP) facilities, significant upgrades or other targeted capital investments. The Department is currently reviewing capital requirements in line with the Government’s priorities and as part of our preparations for future budget allocations and guidance to the National Health Service on multi-year planning.In May, we announced schemes which will benefit from the £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund to deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care.Integrated care systems’ estates infrastructure strategies have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies help take the existing and future general practice and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services including the development of a Neighbourhood Service.

How his Department is working with integrated care boards to help tackle potential barriers for GP partnerships when seeking funding for (a) new premises and (b) expansion under the capital funding structure.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that the National Health Service estate is fit for purpose, in order to meet the needs of the local population.General practices (GPs) are independent contractors, which, alongside ICBs, are responsible for ensuring their premises are up to standard. Most practice premises are privately owned or leased.The Department and NHS England requested that ICBs develop estates infrastructure strategies. These have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies must take existing and future GP and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services. To support them in doing this, we provide an annual capital allocation, operational capital, which ICBs are free to use as they see fit, working with healthcare providers in their area including GPs, to deliver their estates and infrastructure priorities.At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.In Autumn 2024, the Government announced the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, a nationally controlled fund which will deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. ICBs were invited to submit funding proposals that align with local integrated care system infrastructure strategies and the Primary Care Network Estates Toolkit, prioritising high-quality, fit-for-purpose estates over poorly maintained assets.

Whether his Department has considered introducing a ring-fenced national funding stream to support the expansion of GP surgeries in (a) high-growth and (b) underserved areas.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that the National Health Service estate is fit for purpose, in order to meet the needs of the local population.General practices (GPs) are independent contractors, which, alongside ICBs, are responsible for ensuring their premises are up to standard. Most practice premises are privately owned or leased.The Department and NHS England requested that ICBs develop estates infrastructure strategies. These have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies must take existing and future GP and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services. To support them in doing this, we provide an annual capital allocation, operational capital, which ICBs are free to use as they see fit, working with healthcare providers in their area including GPs, to deliver their estates and infrastructure priorities.At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.In Autumn 2024, the Government announced the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, a nationally controlled fund which will deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. ICBs were invited to submit funding proposals that align with local integrated care system infrastructure strategies and the Primary Care Network Estates Toolkit, prioritising high-quality, fit-for-purpose estates over poorly maintained assets.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the funding model administered by integrated care boards supports (a) long-term infrastructure planning for primary care and (b) the timely development of new GP practices.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that the National Health Service estate is fit for purpose, in order to meet the needs of the local population.General practices (GPs) are independent contractors, which, alongside ICBs, are responsible for ensuring their premises are up to standard. Most practice premises are privately owned or leased.The Department and NHS England requested that ICBs develop estates infrastructure strategies. These have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies must take existing and future GP and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services. To support them in doing this, we provide an annual capital allocation, operational capital, which ICBs are free to use as they see fit, working with healthcare providers in their area including GPs, to deliver their estates and infrastructure priorities.At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.In Autumn 2024, the Government announced the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, a nationally controlled fund which will deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. ICBs were invited to submit funding proposals that align with local integrated care system infrastructure strategies and the Primary Care Network Estates Toolkit, prioritising high-quality, fit-for-purpose estates over poorly maintained assets.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of regional variances in GP surgery expansion approvals under the integrated care board-led funding mechanism.

Primary care funding is formulated within NHS England allocations, which account for elements of population growth and other factors such as weighted need. The allocations process uses a statistical formula to make geographic distribution fair and objective, so that it more clearly reflects local healthcare need and helps to reduce health inequalities. Integrated care boards prioritise how the funding is used, based on local factors and determinants.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current Integrated Care Board (ICB)-led funding model in supporting the expansion of GP surgeries in areas with rapidly growing populations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for assessing the requirement for the physical expansion of general practice premises to manage additional patient registrations. ICBs will also undertake assessments of housing plans and develop strategic plans to manage new populations and registered patients. Under this assessment, applications may be made via the planning authority to secure capital funding to mitigate the impact of new residents and patient registrations.Discussions about developer contributions should take place as early as possible in the planning process. Developer contributions are negotiated and agreed between planning authorities and developers on a case-by-case basis, prior to planning permission being granted. Further detail is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/planning-obligationsThe Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are continuing to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to assess and improve the developer contribution process, to ensure health is appropriately considered and supported.

Whether his Department has commissioned research into multiple sclerosis services in the last year.

The Department of Health and Social Care delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR delivers research into multiple sclerosis across a range of areas, including services associated with the condition.For example, the NIHR is currently supporting, through investments in infrastructure and workforce, research to examine the feasibility of identifying patients with psychological distress in multiple sclerosis services and provide a form of cognitive behavioural therapy, COMPASS, as a treatment intervention.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care including multiple sclerosis. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on multiple sclerosis to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of service specifications for multiple sclerosis.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services for their local populations, including for multiple sclerosis (MS). The Government expects ICBs to assess the demand for service provision when designing their local services.Nationally, there are initiatives to support better care for patients with neurological conditions, such as MS, across England. These include the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, which is supporting National Health Service trusts throughout England, including in Devon, to improve services by identifying and eliminating variations in care, sharing best practice, and promoting greater efficiency through clinically led reviews of neurology services. This is leading to faster diagnoses, improved access to specialist care and therapies, better coordinated and joined-up services, and better outcomes for people with MS, while also reducing costs and waiting times.NHS England is responsible for the overall framework of NHS service specifications, which are developed by specialised clinical reference groups in conjunction with specialist clinicians, commissioners, and expert patients. In August, NHS England published a new service specification covering the provision of specialised adult neurology services, including MS services. By setting out a model of care that reflects how services should work together across services and specialisms, the new specification establishes a clear framework to help ensure that care is clinically effective and responsive to patients’ needs. The specification is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/specialised-neurology-services-adults/

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of neurology departments in NHS hospitals.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning most services for people with long term conditions, including neurological conditions. ICBs are allocated funding by NHS England to meet local need and priorities and to improve outcomes. NHS England continues to set national standards, service specifications and clinical access policies which ICBs are expected to apply.The neurology workstream with NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is supporting neurology departments across England to tackle variations in the way services are delivered across the National Health Service, through data-driven insights and sharing best practice between trusts and systems. This includes direct, focused support for challenged services.GIRFT and the national specialised commissioning transformation programme are working closely to develop guidance to support trusts and systems to improve care pathways and to meet the national specialised neurology service specification, which sets out the core requirements of specialised neurology providers.

What steps he is taking to improve multiple sclerosis services in NHS hospitals in Devon.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services for their local populations, including for multiple sclerosis (MS). The Government expects ICBs to assess the demand for service provision when designing their local services.Nationally, there are initiatives to support better care for patients with neurological conditions, such as MS, across England. These include the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, which is supporting National Health Service trusts throughout England, including in Devon, to improve services by identifying and eliminating variations in care, sharing best practice, and promoting greater efficiency through clinically led reviews of neurology services. This is leading to faster diagnoses, improved access to specialist care and therapies, better coordinated and joined-up services, and better outcomes for people with MS, while also reducing costs and waiting times.NHS England is responsible for the overall framework of NHS service specifications, which are developed by specialised clinical reference groups in conjunction with specialist clinicians, commissioners, and expert patients. In August, NHS England published a new service specification covering the provision of specialised adult neurology services, including MS services. By setting out a model of care that reflects how services should work together across services and specialisms, the new specification establishes a clear framework to help ensure that care is clinically effective and responsive to patients’ needs. The specification is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/specialised-neurology-services-adults/

Whether any NHS trusts have opted out of participating in the Federated Data Platform; and what steps NHS England is taking to monitor trust participation.

The NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) began its national roll-out in April 2024, following a pilot phase that commenced in 2022. NHS England has invited all National Health Service trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) to develop plans for how they will maximise the benefits of the FDP for their patients within the next two years Uptake of the NHS FDP continues to grow. As of 31 March 2025, 108 NHS hospital trusts had signed up to the FDP, and 72 trusts are currently live and in delivery To monitor participation and progress, NHS England publishes quarterly updates on uptake and the benefits being realised. This includes NHS trusts and ICBs that have signed up, metrics on operational improvements, such as reductions in inpatient and outpatient waitlists, and insights into product adoption and benefit realisation across use cases like elective recovery, care coordination, and crisis response. These updates are available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/digitaltechnology/nhs-federated-data-platform/impact/fdp-uptake-and-benefits/

Whether NHS trusts have received (a) financial support and (b) incentive payments to enable uptake of the Federated Data Platform.

NHS England has procured and paid for licences to provide a Federated Data Platform instance for all trusts and integrated care boards for the full duration of the contract. This includes providing onboarding and implementation support and ongoing access to a National Centre of Excellence and user forums.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the NHS (a) retains the intellectual property in relation to the technical sovereignty for and (b) is not locked in to using the Federated Data Platform.

The National Health Service retains the intellectual property of solutions it funds or develops, including all associated data models, products, and analytical solutions of the NHS Federated Data Platform, and the background intellectual property remains the property of the respective party. The contract for the FDP and Associated Services includes specific provisions to mitigate vendor lock-in and support transition to an alternative provider at the end of the contractual period. The contract is available at the following link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0f8a65b5-23a2-4294-abb1-a7fd8efb3ad0

Whether the contract for the Federated Data Platform includes specifications for (a) which data export formats will be used, (b) the codebase handover and (c) what the final audit will include at the end of the contract period between the NHS and Palantir.

The contract for the Federated Data Platform and Associated Services (FDP-AS) includes provisions to ensure transparency, interoperability, and a smooth transition at the end of the contract period. These provisions are designed to mitigate vendor lock-in and support the National Health Service in maintaining control over its data and digital infrastructure. The FDP-AS agreement includes comprehensive audit and exit mechanisms. These provisions enable NHS England to conduct audits and reviews to support effective transition planning and ensure contractual compliance. The contract is available at the following link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0f8a65b5-23a2-4294-abb1-a7fd8efb3ad0