Written questions by Vickers.

What steps he plans to take to help improve the training given to (a) hospital and (b) general practice doctors in (i) understanding and (ii) supporting patients who are in chronic pains.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of whether discharge times at hospitals operated by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are contributing to longer ambulance handover times.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the impact of ambulance handover delays at the University Hospital of North Tees on emergency ambulance response times in Stockton West constituency.

The Government recognises that ambulance response times are not meeting the high standards patients should expect. We are determined to address this challenge and have set out a clear path for improvement. On the 25 October 2025 we published the Medium-Te...

What information his Department holds on the average ambulance handover time at the University Hospital of North Tees in each month since July 2024.

The Government recognises that ambulance response times are not meeting the high standards patients should expect. We are determined to address this challenge and have set out a clear path for improvement. On the 25 October 2025 we published the Medium-Te...

How many ambulance handovers at the University Hospital of North Tees exceeded (a) 30 minutes, (b) one hour and (c) two hours in each month since July 2024.

The Government recognises that ambulance response times are not meeting the high standards patients should expect. We are determined to address this challenge and have set out a clear path for improvement. On the 25 October 2025 we published the Medium-Te...

How many occasions there were on which no ambulance crews were available to respond immediately to emergency calls in the Stockton West constituency area due to hospital handover times in each of t

The Government recognises that ambulance response times are not meeting the high standards patients should expect. We are determined to address this challenge and have set out a clear path for improvement. On the 25 October 2025 we published the Medium-Te...

What steps NHS England is taking to reduce ambulance handover times at hospitals operated by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

The Government recognises that ambulance response times are not meeting the high standards patients should expect. We are determined to address this challenge and have set out a clear path for improvement. On the 25 October 2025 we published the Medium-Te...

What information his Department holds on the number of ambulance crew hours lost due to handover delays at the University Hospital of North Tees in each quarter since 2023.

The Government recognises that ambulance response times are not meeting the high standards patients should expect. We are determined to address this challenge and have set out a clear path for improvement. On the 25 October 2025 we published the Medium-Te...

What measures his Department is considering to protect the dignity of human bodies in the context of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.

The Department of Health and Social Care is leading on co-ordinating cross-Government work to consider options for raising standards in relation to the care and treatment of the deceased in all settings, including the funeral sector, supported by the Depa...

Whether his Department has any plans to provide for single oversight of the funeral industry and the handling of bodies and funerals.

The Department of Health and Social Care is leading on co-ordinating cross-Government work to consider options for raising standards in relation to the care and treatment of the deceased in all settings, including the funeral sector, supported by the Depa...

What progress has been made towards recruiting the additional mental health workforce.

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, in February, the Government delivered on its commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers this Parliament, three...

What proportion of total NHS spending has been allocated to mental health services in each year since 2019.

The proportion of total National Health Service spending allocated to mental health services was 8.05% in 2018/19, 8.45% in 2019/20, 8.51% in 2020/21, 8.73% in 2021/22, 8.87% in 2022/23, 9.05% in 2023/24, 8.78% in 2024/25, and 8.68% in 2025/26.Within the ...

What percentage of schools currently have access to a Mental Health Support Team; and what the timetable is for further rollout.

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) continue to play a key role in providing early intervention and support for children and young people’s mental health in education settings.As at March 2026, 5.8 million pupils and learners were covered by an MHST, equa...

What the average waiting time is for children and young people to access NHS mental health services in each Integrated Care Board area.

The following table shows the median waiting time, in days, for children and young people, those aged under 18 years old, to access National Health Service mental health services in each integrated care board (ICB), based on those still waiting for a firs...

What progress his Department has made on appointing a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers as required by the Rare Cancers Act 2026.

The Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act 2026 by ensuring that a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers is appointed by summer 2026. The National Specialty Lead will be based in the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Research De...

What plans his Department has to increase funding for brain tumours (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the national cancer research spend.

The Department invests over £1.7 billion each year on research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Cancer is a major area of NIHR spending at £141.6 million in 2024/25, reflecting its high priority.We are committed to furth...

What progress his Department is making on the development of mechanisms to easily contact eligible patients about relevant clinical trials and research.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments. The Department funds research and research infrastructure through the National Institute for Health and Care Resea...

What progress his Department has made on reviewing regulations of treatments for rare diseases and orphan drugs as required by the Rare Cancers Act 2026.

Following the launch of the new rare disease therapy framework, the Department has made significant progress in reviewing and proposing updates to the regulation of treatments for rare diseases and orphan drugs. Building on earlier policy commitments, the...

What plans his Department has to increase (a) the number of and (b) capacity to conduct clinical trials for patients with brain tumours.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with brain tumours, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments. We are working to fast-track clinical trials to drive global investment into ...

What assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed amendments to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations on the ability of voluntary mountain rescue teams to provide rescue cover at temporary sporting and cultural events.

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