Written questions by Vickers.

What assessment he has made of trends in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in England over the last ten years; and what he expects the trends to be over the next decade.

Data on chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence nationally and locally is available at the following link:https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/chronic%20kidney%20disease#page/4/gid/1/pat/159/par/K02000001/ati/15/are/E92000001/iid/258/age/168/sex/4/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/1/cid/4/tbm/1 NHS England’s Renal Clinical Network Specification states that the patient population in England with advanced kidney disease requiring renal replacement therapy is growing at a rate of 3% per annum. NHS England’s Renal Clinical Network Specification is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PRN231110-renal-clinical-network-specification-2023-.pdfTo tackle this, NHS England is delivering a comprehensive programme to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of people with kidney disease. NHS England has published a renal services transformation toolkit to support earlier identification of CKD and to strengthen management across the whole patient pathway. Eight commissioned regional renal clinical networks are implementing this toolkit, in collaboration with providers, with a clear focus on improving early diagnosis, slowing disease progression, and reducing the number of patients reaching advanced stages of kidney disease. This work is supported nationally by the Renal Clinical Reference Group. NHS England is also supporting the Department and key kidney organisations to identify further opportunities to enhance prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long‑term outcomes for people living with kidney disease.

Whether his Department plans to develop a national service framework or equivalent long-term strategy for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, as well as an overall quality strategy, the National Quality Board is overseeing the development of a new series of service frameworks to accelerate progress in conditions where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.Early priorities include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia. The Government will consider other long-term conditions with significant health and economic impacts for future waves of modern service frameworks.

What steps his Department are taking to allow frontline workers such as Teachers, Teaching Assistants and all school workers access to the Free Flu Vaccine Programme.

Eligibility for a free National Health Service flu vaccine is guided, each year, by advice and recommendations from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.The aim of the flu vaccination programme is to protect those most at risk from serious illness and hospitalisation. Those eligible to receive a free flu vaccine on the NHS this autumn and winter are: pregnant women;all children aged two or three years old;children with certain long-term health conditions, aged six months to less than 18 years old;primary school aged children, from reception to Year 6;secondary school aged children, from Year 7 to Year 11;all children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to under 18 years old;everyone aged 65 years old and over;individuals aged 18 to under 65 years old with certain long-term health conditions;care home residents;carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person; andthose living with people who are immunocompromised. Individuals, such as teachers, teaching assistants and school workers, who meet these criteria are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine. Frontline health and social care workers can access the flu vaccine through their employer. Anyone who is unsure about their eligibility can consult their general practitioner, practice nurse, or pharmacist. Pregnant women can also consult their midwife. The NHS website contains further information on eligibility, and is avaiable at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/

What steps are being taken to ensure that data on paediatric traumatic brain injury diagnoses is collected consistently across the NHS to support the development of the Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment has been made of the economic impact of acquired brain injury on local authorities and health systems; and how that information is informing future funding models for neurorehabilitation.

The Department recognises the significant economic impact of acquired brain injury (ABI) on both the National Health Service and local authorities due to the costs of acute care, long-term rehabilitation, social care, and support for education and employment.This is informing the development of future funding models for locally commissioned neurorehabilitation by emphasising the value of early, intensive rehabilitation in reducing long-term costs and improving outcomes. The ABI Action Plan will set out proposals to strengthen commissioning frameworks, promote integrated funding approaches between health and social care, and ensure resources are targeted where they deliver the greatest benefit.

What progress has been made on developing the cross-departmental Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure the plan addresses regional inequalities in neurorehabilitation services.

The Department is working closely with NHS England, other Government departments, and stakeholders to finalise the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Action Plan, which will set out clear priorities for improving prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and long-term support. Work on the plan is well advanced, and we expect to publish the plan in the first half of 2026.The Department has worked closely with leading ABI charities through stakeholder forums, the ABI All-Party Parliamentary Group, and a national call for evidence. These organisations have provided expert insight on rehabilitation pathways, community support, and service gaps. Their contributions are directly shaping the plan by informing priorities and practical actions to improve outcomes for individuals and families affected by ABI.

What recent assessment has been made of (a) the effectiveness of follow-up pathways for children discharged from A&E after a head injury and (b) whether current practice aligns with national clinical guidelines.

The Department recognises the importance of timely, high-quality rehabilitation for children and young people with an acquired brain injury (ABI). NHS England’s paediatric neurorehabilitation service specification supports community neurorehabilitation by ensuring that children and young people receive coordinated, specialist care beyond the hospital setting. It requires integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB, to work with tertiary centres and local providers to deliver structured rehabilitation programmes in the community, supported by multidisciplinary teams.The Department expects all National Health Services to follow the guideline for the assessment and early management of head injury in babies, children, young people, and adults, reference code NG232, published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The guideline sets out clear standards for discharge advice, risk assessment, and timely referral for further evaluation where symptoms persist or escalate. NHS England ensures that ICBs follow NICE guidance through a combination of statutory oversight frameworks, annual performance assessments, and local clinical governance requirements. NICE provides ICBs with implementation tools, audit templates, training resources, and commissioning guidance to help embed the guideline into local pathways and ensure consistent, evidence-based practice.The Government is committed to increasing specialist neurorehabilitation capacity in the North East of England as part of wider efforts to improve access and reduce regional variation. Our forthcoming ABI Action Plan will set out practical steps to strengthen commissioning and expand multidisciplinary rehabilitation services. This aligns with commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan to enhance community-based rehabilitation, invest in specialist teams, and ensure timely, high-quality care for people with ABI across England, including the North East.

What plans there are to expand specialist neurorehabilitation capacity in the North East.

The Department recognises the importance of timely, high-quality rehabilitation for children and young people with an acquired brain injury (ABI). NHS England’s paediatric neurorehabilitation service specification supports community neurorehabilitation by ensuring that children and young people receive coordinated, specialist care beyond the hospital setting. It requires integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB, to work with tertiary centres and local providers to deliver structured rehabilitation programmes in the community, supported by multidisciplinary teams.The Department expects all National Health Services to follow the guideline for the assessment and early management of head injury in babies, children, young people, and adults, reference code NG232, published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The guideline sets out clear standards for discharge advice, risk assessment, and timely referral for further evaluation where symptoms persist or escalate. NHS England ensures that ICBs follow NICE guidance through a combination of statutory oversight frameworks, annual performance assessments, and local clinical governance requirements. NICE provides ICBs with implementation tools, audit templates, training resources, and commissioning guidance to help embed the guideline into local pathways and ensure consistent, evidence-based practice.The Government is committed to increasing specialist neurorehabilitation capacity in the North East of England as part of wider efforts to improve access and reduce regional variation. Our forthcoming ABI Action Plan will set out practical steps to strengthen commissioning and expand multidisciplinary rehabilitation services. This aligns with commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan to enhance community-based rehabilitation, invest in specialist teams, and ensure timely, high-quality care for people with ABI across England, including the North East.

What steps are being taken to ensure that data on paediatric traumatic brain injury diagnoses is collected consistently across the NHS to support the development of the Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan.

The Department recognises that consistent and comprehensive data on traumatic brain injury (TBI) is essential to improving care and informing policy. The forthcoming Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Action Plan will include measures to strengthen data collection and access across the National Health Service and wider services. This will ensure that information on diagnosis and treatment of TBI is gathered systematically and shared effectively to support integrated care, commissioning decisions and evidence-based planning, and to underpin the action plan’s goal of improving prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and long-term support for children and young people, as well as adults, affected by TBI.

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of community-based neurorehabilitation provision for children and young people following an acquired brain injury, particularly in regions with high incidence rates such as Teesside.

The Department recognises the importance of timely, high-quality rehabilitation for children and young people with an acquired brain injury (ABI). NHS England’s paediatric neurorehabilitation service specification supports community neurorehabilitation by ensuring that children and young people receive coordinated, specialist care beyond the hospital setting. It requires integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB, to work with tertiary centres and local providers to deliver structured rehabilitation programmes in the community, supported by multidisciplinary teams.The Department expects all National Health Services to follow the guideline for the assessment and early management of head injury in babies, children, young people, and adults, reference code NG232, published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The guideline sets out clear standards for discharge advice, risk assessment, and timely referral for further evaluation where symptoms persist or escalate. NHS England ensures that ICBs follow NICE guidance through a combination of statutory oversight frameworks, annual performance assessments, and local clinical governance requirements. NICE provides ICBs with implementation tools, audit templates, training resources, and commissioning guidance to help embed the guideline into local pathways and ensure consistent, evidence-based practice.The Government is committed to increasing specialist neurorehabilitation capacity in the North East of England as part of wider efforts to improve access and reduce regional variation. Our forthcoming ABI Action Plan will set out practical steps to strengthen commissioning and expand multidisciplinary rehabilitation services. This aligns with commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan to enhance community-based rehabilitation, invest in specialist teams, and ensure timely, high-quality care for people with ABI across England, including the North East.

What recent work has been undertaken with voluntary sector organisations supporting families affected by acquired brain injury; and how their expertise is being incorporated into the Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan.

The Department is working closely with NHS England, other Government departments, and stakeholders to finalise the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Action Plan, which will set out clear priorities for improving prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and long-term support. Work on the plan is well advanced, and we expect to publish the plan in the first half of 2026.The Department has worked closely with leading ABI charities through stakeholder forums, the ABI All-Party Parliamentary Group, and a national call for evidence. These organisations have provided expert insight on rehabilitation pathways, community support, and service gaps. Their contributions are directly shaping the plan by informing priorities and practical actions to improve outcomes for individuals and families affected by ABI.

What steps he is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards do not cut essential services for people living with Parkinson’s.

The Department does not hold data on the number of neurologists or geriatricians with specialist training in Parkinson’s disease, nor does NHS England publish workforce projections at this level of granularity. Neurologists typically manage a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s, and geriatricians are trained to manage a broad range of complex health needs in older people. Workforce data is collected for the specialty as a whole rather than by sub-specialty.As of August 2025, there were 2,010 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology and 6,284 in geriatric medicine in National Health Service trusts and other organisations in England. This includes 1,025 FTE consultant neurologists and 1,687 FTE consultant geriatricians.The Department does not hold specific data on the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses currently working in the NHS in England. These roles are commissioned and managed locally by NHS trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) as part of neurology and movement disorder services.NHS England uses workforce modelling to establish potential future scenarios for both the supply of, and demand for, NHS workers across all specialties. In doing so, they analyse a range of factors, including population health trends, service utilisation patterns, and projected retirement and training rates. This modelling helps determine the number of training places required and informs long-term workforce planning, ensuring that specialties such as neurology and geriatric medicine have sufficient capacity to meet anticipated needs.The Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. It will ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, including those with Parkinson’s disease, when they need it. We are working through how the plan will articulate the changes for different professional groups.The Department recognises the importance of maintaining high-quality services for people living with Parkinson’s disease. NHS England sets clear expectations of ICBs through national service specifications as well as guidance provided through initiatives like the Getting it Right First Time and RightCare Programmes to ensure equitable access to care for people with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s. NHS England monitors ICB performance through planning guidance and assurance processes to ensure compliance with national standards and to prevent inappropriate service reductions.

How many neurologists have specialist training in Parkinson’s disease; and if he will estimate the espected number of neurologists with specialist training in Parkinson’s over the next five years.

The Department does not hold data on the number of neurologists or geriatricians with specialist training in Parkinson’s disease, nor does NHS England publish workforce projections at this level of granularity. Neurologists typically manage a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s, and geriatricians are trained to manage a broad range of complex health needs in older people. Workforce data is collected for the specialty as a whole rather than by sub-specialty.As of August 2025, there were 2,010 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology and 6,284 in geriatric medicine in National Health Service trusts and other organisations in England. This includes 1,025 FTE consultant neurologists and 1,687 FTE consultant geriatricians.The Department does not hold specific data on the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses currently working in the NHS in England. These roles are commissioned and managed locally by NHS trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) as part of neurology and movement disorder services.NHS England uses workforce modelling to establish potential future scenarios for both the supply of, and demand for, NHS workers across all specialties. In doing so, they analyse a range of factors, including population health trends, service utilisation patterns, and projected retirement and training rates. This modelling helps determine the number of training places required and informs long-term workforce planning, ensuring that specialties such as neurology and geriatric medicine have sufficient capacity to meet anticipated needs.The Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. It will ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, including those with Parkinson’s disease, when they need it. We are working through how the plan will articulate the changes for different professional groups.The Department recognises the importance of maintaining high-quality services for people living with Parkinson’s disease. NHS England sets clear expectations of ICBs through national service specifications as well as guidance provided through initiatives like the Getting it Right First Time and RightCare Programmes to ensure equitable access to care for people with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s. NHS England monitors ICB performance through planning guidance and assurance processes to ensure compliance with national standards and to prevent inappropriate service reductions.

What assessment he has made of the capacity of the specialist Parkinson’s workforce to meet increasing demand for care and diagnosis.

The Department does not hold data on the number of neurologists or geriatricians with specialist training in Parkinson’s disease, nor does NHS England publish workforce projections at this level of granularity. Neurologists typically manage a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s, and geriatricians are trained to manage a broad range of complex health needs in older people. Workforce data is collected for the specialty as a whole rather than by sub-specialty.As of August 2025, there were 2,010 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology and 6,284 in geriatric medicine in National Health Service trusts and other organisations in England. This includes 1,025 FTE consultant neurologists and 1,687 FTE consultant geriatricians.The Department does not hold specific data on the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses currently working in the NHS in England. These roles are commissioned and managed locally by NHS trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) as part of neurology and movement disorder services.NHS England uses workforce modelling to establish potential future scenarios for both the supply of, and demand for, NHS workers across all specialties. In doing so, they analyse a range of factors, including population health trends, service utilisation patterns, and projected retirement and training rates. This modelling helps determine the number of training places required and informs long-term workforce planning, ensuring that specialties such as neurology and geriatric medicine have sufficient capacity to meet anticipated needs.The Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. It will ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, including those with Parkinson’s disease, when they need it. We are working through how the plan will articulate the changes for different professional groups.The Department recognises the importance of maintaining high-quality services for people living with Parkinson’s disease. NHS England sets clear expectations of ICBs through national service specifications as well as guidance provided through initiatives like the Getting it Right First Time and RightCare Programmes to ensure equitable access to care for people with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s. NHS England monitors ICB performance through planning guidance and assurance processes to ensure compliance with national standards and to prevent inappropriate service reductions.

How many specialist Parkinson’s nurses are employed in the NHS; and how their distribution is monitored nationally.

The Department does not hold data on the number of neurologists or geriatricians with specialist training in Parkinson’s disease, nor does NHS England publish workforce projections at this level of granularity. Neurologists typically manage a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s, and geriatricians are trained to manage a broad range of complex health needs in older people. Workforce data is collected for the specialty as a whole rather than by sub-specialty.As of August 2025, there were 2,010 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology and 6,284 in geriatric medicine in National Health Service trusts and other organisations in England. This includes 1,025 FTE consultant neurologists and 1,687 FTE consultant geriatricians.The Department does not hold specific data on the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses currently working in the NHS in England. These roles are commissioned and managed locally by NHS trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) as part of neurology and movement disorder services.NHS England uses workforce modelling to establish potential future scenarios for both the supply of, and demand for, NHS workers across all specialties. In doing so, they analyse a range of factors, including population health trends, service utilisation patterns, and projected retirement and training rates. This modelling helps determine the number of training places required and informs long-term workforce planning, ensuring that specialties such as neurology and geriatric medicine have sufficient capacity to meet anticipated needs.The Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. It will ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, including those with Parkinson’s disease, when they need it. We are working through how the plan will articulate the changes for different professional groups.The Department recognises the importance of maintaining high-quality services for people living with Parkinson’s disease. NHS England sets clear expectations of ICBs through national service specifications as well as guidance provided through initiatives like the Getting it Right First Time and RightCare Programmes to ensure equitable access to care for people with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s. NHS England monitors ICB performance through planning guidance and assurance processes to ensure compliance with national standards and to prevent inappropriate service reductions.

How many geriatricians have specialist training in Parkinson’s disease; and what plans he has to increase their numbers.

The Department does not hold data on the number of neurologists or geriatricians with specialist training in Parkinson’s disease, nor does NHS England publish workforce projections at this level of granularity. Neurologists typically manage a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s, and geriatricians are trained to manage a broad range of complex health needs in older people. Workforce data is collected for the specialty as a whole rather than by sub-specialty.As of August 2025, there were 2,010 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology and 6,284 in geriatric medicine in National Health Service trusts and other organisations in England. This includes 1,025 FTE consultant neurologists and 1,687 FTE consultant geriatricians.The Department does not hold specific data on the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses currently working in the NHS in England. These roles are commissioned and managed locally by NHS trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) as part of neurology and movement disorder services.NHS England uses workforce modelling to establish potential future scenarios for both the supply of, and demand for, NHS workers across all specialties. In doing so, they analyse a range of factors, including population health trends, service utilisation patterns, and projected retirement and training rates. This modelling helps determine the number of training places required and informs long-term workforce planning, ensuring that specialties such as neurology and geriatric medicine have sufficient capacity to meet anticipated needs.The Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. It will ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, including those with Parkinson’s disease, when they need it. We are working through how the plan will articulate the changes for different professional groups.The Department recognises the importance of maintaining high-quality services for people living with Parkinson’s disease. NHS England sets clear expectations of ICBs through national service specifications as well as guidance provided through initiatives like the Getting it Right First Time and RightCare Programmes to ensure equitable access to care for people with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s. NHS England monitors ICB performance through planning guidance and assurance processes to ensure compliance with national standards and to prevent inappropriate service reductions.

What progress he has made on reducing delayed discharges from hospitals.

The Government is committed to tackling delayed discharges, to ensure patients do not remain in hospital longer than necessary and to free up hospital beds for patients that need them.The Urgent and Emergency Care plan for 2025/26 sets as a priority that hospitals should tackle the delays in patients waiting to be discharged. They should eliminate discharge delays of more than 48 hours caused by in-hospital issues, and work with local authorities to tackle the longest delays, starting with those over 21 days, and to profile discharges by pathway to support local planning. In January 2025, we published a new policy framework for the £9 billion Better Care Fund, which gives the National Health Service and local authorities accountability for setting and achieving joint goals for reducing discharge delays. Starting in the financial year 2026/27, we will reform the Better Care Fund, focusing on ensuring consistent joint NHS and local authority funding for services essential to integrated health and social care, such as hospital discharge, intermediate care, rehabilitation, and reablement.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of ambulance response times in rural and semi-urban areas.

We acknowledge that ambulance performance has not consistently met expectations in recent years, and we are taking serious steps to improve performance across the country including rural and semi-urban areas. That is why we published our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26, backed by almost £450 million of capital investment, which commits to reducing ambulance response times for Category 2 incidents to 30 minutes on average this year. The National Health Service constitutional standards for ambulance response time metrics are measured with an average figure as well as a 90th centile standard which means that trusts are held to account for the response times they provide to all patients, improving the performance management of the ‘long tail’ of delayed ambulance responses that we know can particularly affect rural and semi-urban areas. Recent NHS England figures show a 23-minute improvement in the Category 2 90th centile response time compared with last year. Local NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for service commissioning decisions in their local communities, including ambulance provision for rural and semi-urban communities. ICB funding allocations for ambulance services take account of rurality and patient density to cover the longer travel distances to incidents and greater time required to convey patients to hospitals.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of regional cancer survival outcomes; and what steps he is taking to reduce regional disparities.

We know that more needs to be done to reduce the disparities in cancer survival. We remain committed to making improvements across different cancer types and reducing disparities in cancer survival. Early cancer diagnosis is also a specific priority within the National Health Service’s wider Core20Plus5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities.The 10-Year Health Plan sets out how the Government will shift the focus from care from the hospital to care the community, which will make it easier for people to access cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment services in their local areas, with more choice for people on how and where they access these services. Services will be backed by the latest technology to drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.The forthcoming National Cancer Plan, which we will publish in the new year, will look at targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival. The plan will seek to ensure that high-quality care and treatment is available to all patients across the country, no matter where they live. This will build on the current national cancer audits, which are seeking to promote best practice and aim to reduce inequalities in access to or the quality of treatment.The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, seeking to improve every aspect of cancer care, to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years. To do this, we will focus on prevention, deliver targeted improvements, drive research and innovation, and ensure patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

What steps he is taking to expand preventative health programmes in communities with high chronic-disease prevalence.

Our mission is to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between rich and poor, through the 10-Year Health Plan. Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out how a shift to prevention will deliver healthier, more prosperous lives for all, but particularly for those suffering the consequences of widening levels of health inequality. We are committed to taking action to tackle both the chronic diseases themselves and the modifiable risk factors that contribute to them, including:doubling the number of patients able to access the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme and expanding access to obesity medicines by working closely with industry and local systems to test new models of care and identify innovative ways to do this. Investing £70 million in 2025/26 to support local authority-led Stop Smoking Services will ensure that there is a comprehensive offer across local authorities in England, while providing additional weighted funding to local authorities with the highest smoking rates. The national Swap to Stop scheme and Smoke-free Pregnancy Incentives Scheme are also continuing. We are also working to ensure that all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care, making every clinical consultation count;continuing to deliver the NHS Health Check, a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease prevention programme, which aims to detect those at risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease and who are aged between 40 and 74 years old. To improve access to the programme we are piloting an online NHS Health Check so that people can undertake a check at a time and place that is convenient to them.investing in hypertension case-finding for those over 40 years old in community pharmacies, with nearly 4.2 million people having received a free blood pressure check through the service; anddeveloping other extensive digital prevention programmes to help people live healthier lives for longer and reduce inequalities. These ‘always-on’ and free at the point of use resources were used by nearly 20 million people in the last 12 months, offering support for the priority preventable conditions, with, for example, one in four users of our NHS Quit Smoking app reaching 28 days smoke free, which in turn makes them five times more likely to stop smoking for good, and with those who complete the 12-week weight loss plan losing on average 5.6 kilograms.