Written questions by Davies.

If he will publish a table of the waiting times for endometriosis treatment across integrated care boards in England.

The Department does not centrally hold data on the number of patients in England awaiting specialised endometriosis care. In England, the waiting list for gynaecology care stands at 571,627. This is a reduction of 24,338 since the Government came into office. Waiting time data by treatment speciality, at both an integrated care board and national level, is published on the NHS.UK website.The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health, including endometriosis care. Action to improve endometriosis care includes commissioning researching focussed on endometriosis diagnosis, treatment, and pain, and expanding the number of dedicated and protected surgical hubs, many of which gynaecology procedures. From 2027, a new online hospital, NHS Online, will also offer patients the choice to access specialist care from home. Menstrual problems potentially indicating endometriosis or fibroids from home will be among the conditions NHS Online initially focuses on, providing appointments to cut waiting times.

How long the waiting list is for treatment for endometriosis services in the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board.

The Department does not centrally hold data on the number of patients in England awaiting specialised endometriosis care. In England, the waiting list for gynaecology care stands at 571,627. This is a reduction of 24,338 since the Government came into office. Waiting time data by treatment speciality, at both an integrated care board and national level, is published on the NHS.UK website.The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health, including endometriosis care. Action to improve endometriosis care includes commissioning researching focussed on endometriosis diagnosis, treatment, and pain, and expanding the number of dedicated and protected surgical hubs, many of which gynaecology procedures. From 2027, a new online hospital, NHS Online, will also offer patients the choice to access specialist care from home. Menstrual problems potentially indicating endometriosis or fibroids from home will be among the conditions NHS Online initially focuses on, providing appointments to cut waiting times.

What steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in East Sussex.

The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine 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 and explore treatment options sooner.Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.

What steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.

The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine 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 and explore treatment options sooner.Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.

What steps he is taking to help reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in West Sussex.

The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine 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 and explore treatment options sooner.Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.

What steps her Department has taken to support access to men's mental health services in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency and (b) Sussex.

We recognise that some men may find it difficult to seek help for their mental health, and Sussex has made this a priority within its suicide prevention and mental health strategies. This includes targeted work to improve early identification, reduce stigma, and increase engagement among men and boys. Access routes have been strengthened through: - primary care and community-based entry points, where men are more likely to present;- NHS Talking Therapies, offering timely access to evidence-based support;- crisis alternatives to hospital admission, including urgent mental health helplines and safe havens; and- workplace and community outreach approaches, designed to engage men who may not access traditional services. In addition to National Health Service provision, Sussex works closely with voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, which play a key role in engaging men through peer support, wellbeing services, and targeted community-based interventions. While data is not routinely reported by gender at a constituency level, system partners use available data and local insight to identify inequalities in access and outcomes, including for men, and to inform ongoing service improvement. We are partnering with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative, to help tackle male suicide, as part of England's first Men's Health Strategy. This work, carried out with Samaritans, provides matchday support for fans in stadiums, as well as an online hub with information and referral details for fans and followers watching from home. The partnership will see football clubs actively promoting existing mental health and suicide prevention support, such as NHS Talking Therapies and Every Mind Matters, and where appropriate, making onward referrals to appropriate organisations like the NHS. Overall, Sussex continues to develop a whole-system approach to mental health support, ensuring that services are accessible, responsive, and effective for all populations, including men.

How many children are estimated to be living with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency and (b) Sussex.

The data requested is not held centrally. Children with developmental coordination disorder, commonly known as dyspraxia, access support through local National Health Service occupational therapy, paediatrics, physiotherapy, and educational services.NHS guidance sets out a referral process which typically begins with a general practice, health visitor, or a special educational needs coordinator, who may refer the child to paediatric occupational therapy and physiotherapist for assessment and support. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia/For the first time, we have set a target for systems to work to in order to reduce long waits for community health services. By 2028/29 at least 80% of community health services activity should take place within 18 weeks, bringing community health services in line with targets for elective care.

Whether he has conducted an equality impact assessment of the increase in the use of artificial intelligence in the National Health Service.

We have not conducted a central Equality Impact Assessment of the increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the National Health Service. The Department leads national policy and regulation to ensure the deployment of AI tools within health and social care is safe, ethical, and effective, and that it supports equitable access to these technologies to ensure that all patients and staff benefit from advancements in AI. National Health Service trusts are free to make their own decisions regarding the adoption and deployment of AI tools, and NHS trusts are expected to ensure that access to the tools they employ is safe, ethical, effective and equitable for all within their remit. Aligned to the Equality Act 2010 and Health and Social Care Act 2012, Equality Impact Assessments and Equality and Healthcare Inequalities Impact Assessments should be undertaken by all organisations in relation to each specific policy, proposition, programmes, proposal, or initiative in scope of public sector equality duties.

What steps he is taking to ensure that people living with incurable secondary breast cancer have timely access to new and effective medicines, including treatments such as Enhertu and Trodelvy.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that makes recommendations on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness.NICE has recommended Enhertu, also named trastuzumab deruxtecan, for use in the Cancer Drugs Fund for the treatment of women with HER2-positive secondary breast cancer and it is now available for the treatment of eligible patients while further data on its effectiveness is being collected that will inform a NICE decision on routine funding. NICE did not recommend Enhertu for the treatment of HER-2 low metastatic and unresectable breast cancer as a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources.NICE terminated its appraisal of Trodelvy, also named sacituzumab govitecan, for treating hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer after two or more treatments in August 2025, as the company, Gilead, did not provide an evidence submission.

What assessment has been made of the impact of his Department’s requirement for opportunity cost neutrality in NICE’s severity modifier on investment in treatments for more severe conditions.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for the methods and processes that it uses in the development of its recommendations. The severity modifier was introduced in January 2022 as part of a number of changes intended to make NICE’s methods fairer, faster and more consistent.The design of the NICE severity modifier was based on the principle of opportunity cost neutrality to ensure that introducing additional weighting for severe conditions did not increase overall National Health Service spending or displace more care than the previous end-of-life modifier. This approach protects the finite NHS budget by preventing inflationary effects on costs, ensuring that prioritising severe conditions does not reduce health benefits for other patients elsewhere in the system.NICE carried out a review of the implementation of the severity modifier in September 2024 and found that it is operating as intended with a greater proportion of medicines recommended than under NICE’s previous methods. Since then, NICE has continued to monitor how the severity modifier is being applied. The latest figures include data from technology appraisals published up until the end of September 2025 and show that the proportion of positive decisions has increased since the severity modifier was implemented and since data was published in September 2024. 87.0% of decisions taken since the severity modifier was implemented, compared with 82.5% when the end-of-life modifier was being used.NICE has commissioned research to gather further evidence on societal preferences that will inform future methods reviews.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that 85 per cent of breast cancer patients start treatment within 62 days of urgent referral.

Cancer patients are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment, and improving performance against cancer waiting time standards, including the 62-day standard, is a priority for the Government.It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including breast cancer, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes for patients across England. The Department is committed to improving waiting times for cancer treatment so that people with cancer can access the care they need more quickly.We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet demand through investment in new diagnostic capacity, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. As a first step towards earlier diagnosis and faster treatment, the NHS is now delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans and appointments each week.In May 2025, NHS England announced the world’s first roll out of liquid biopsy testing, which is now available for all eligible breast cancer patients, and which aims to speed up diagnosis and inform better treatment options for those with breast cancer.£70 million has been invested into new LINAC radiotherapy machines, to replace older, less efficient machines. This vital investment demonstrates our commitment to improving radiotherapy services, and will ensure that the most advanced treatments are available to patients who need it and will boost productivity, reducing waiting lists and ultimately improving outcomes.The upcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment. It will ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and bring cancer care back into communities which need it the most. The plan will be published early this year.

What steps he is taking to (a) ensure all women who are eligible take up breast screening in East Sussex and (b) track and follow up on non-attendance appointments.

All eligible individuals, including in East and West Sussex, are given a timed appointment to attend the screening location closest to their registered general practice address, with the option to change the appointment time or location given by contacting the service. Research has shown that timed appointments are more effective in encouraging attendance. The service sends text reminders two and seven days before appointments.Should an individual not attend their appointment, they are automatically given a new timed appointment at the same location and the same text reminder process occurs. If the individual does not attend the second timed appointment, they are offered an open invitation. This means that the individual can contact the service to book their own appointment. Since implementation of text reminders, the service has seen an improvement in appointment attendance, in line with expectations based on research.Regular “do not attend” audits are undertaken by the service. The processes involved with these audits help identify any common rationales for non-attendance that can inform service improvement strategies.

What steps he is taking to ensure a) all women who are eligible take up breast screening in West Sussex and b) his Department tracks and follows up on non-attendance appointments.

All eligible individuals, including in East and West Sussex, are given a timed appointment to attend the screening location closest to their registered general practice address, with the option to change the appointment time or location given by contacting the service. Research has shown that timed appointments are more effective in encouraging attendance. The service sends text reminders two and seven days before appointments.Should an individual not attend their appointment, they are automatically given a new timed appointment at the same location and the same text reminder process occurs. If the individual does not attend the second timed appointment, they are offered an open invitation. This means that the individual can contact the service to book their own appointment. Since implementation of text reminders, the service has seen an improvement in appointment attendance, in line with expectations based on research.Regular “do not attend” audits are undertaken by the service. The processes involved with these audits help identify any common rationales for non-attendance that can inform service improvement strategies.

When NHS England will publish the delayed breast screening uptake improvement plan.

NHS England will publish a Breast Screening Programme Uptake Improvement Review this year, to help improve uptake and address inequalities.The review supports breast screening service providers with national solutions such as:introducing digital options for sending out invitations and managing appointments;raising awareness of the importance of screening through the media; andfacilitating learning and gathering evidence to inform programme policy, pathway changes, and guidance.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce delays caused by inadequate clinic capacity that prevent urgent breast referrals from meeting the 28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard.

The Department is supporting the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. The Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the NHS over two years and is opening up community diagnostic centres at evening and weekends, to help catch cancer earlier, including breast cancer.To ensure that those with signs and symptoms that may indicate breast cancer have cancer diagnosed or ruled out as quickly as possible, NHS England has published guidance for local systems on implementing a timed breast cancer diagnostic pathway. The guidance sets out how diagnosis within 28-days can be achieved for the suspected breast cancer pathway in line with Faster Diagnosis Standard.

When he plans to respond to The Hughes Report: Options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, published on 7 February 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different government departments. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s Report.

What progress his Department has made on increasing the recruitment and training of midwives since July 2024.

NHS England publishes monthly Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics for England. This covers staff working for hospital trusts and integrated care in England. This data is drawn from the Electronic Staff Record, the human resources system for the National Health Service. These show that as of 30 June 2025, there are currently 24,888 full time equivalent midwives working in NHS trusts and other core organisations in England. This is an increase of 1,326 or 5.6%, compared to 30 June 2024. Further information is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics3,270 students have accepted places to undergraduate midwifery degrees at English providers so far in 2025. This is a 3% increase compared to the same point in 2024. This is also the first year-on-year increase in the number of acceptances since 2021, when acceptances across healthcare courses peaked, driven by interest due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/statistical-releases-daily-clearing-analysis-2025These are not final numbers, and the Department will continue to monitor numbers of acceptances through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services’ clearing cycle which ends in October.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the recruitment and training of midwives.

To break down financial barriers to training, eligible midwifery students receive a non-repayable grant of £5,000 per year via the NHS Learning Support Fund. Further financial support is available for childcare, dual accommodation costs and travel. Apprenticeship routes are also available to those for whom a full-time university route is not practical or preferred.On 11 August 2025, the Government announced the Graduate Guarantee for nurses and midwives. Vacant maternity support worker posts will be temporarily converted to Band 5 midwifery roles, backed by £8 million to create new opportunities specifically for newly qualified midwives and further ease the recruitment strain.Later this year, we will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

When he expects the rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services to make its initial set of recommendations.

In June 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced an independent investigation into National Health Service maternity and neonatal services, which will be chaired by Baroness Amos.The investigation will produce an initial set of national recommendations by December 2025. These recommendations will take previous recommendations into consideration and will therefore take primacy over previous recommendations.

What steps his Department is taking to consult (a) the Maternity Safety Alliance and (b) other bereaved families’ groups as part of the national maternity review.

On 23 June 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced an independent investigation into National Health Service maternity and neonatal services to understand the systemic issues behind why so many women, babies and families experience unacceptable care.He has held a series of meetings with harmed and bereaved families from across the country, and has committed to ensuring the voices of women and families are at the heart of improving standards.On 14 August 2025, he announced the appointment of Baroness Amos as Chair of the Independent Maternity and Neonatal Investigation. Baroness Amos was selected after feedback from bereaved families who expressed a preference for someone with distance from the NHS.Baroness Amos’ investigation will put families at the heart of the work and affected families were asked to provide input to the draft terms of reference of the investigation. These have been developed to focus on understanding the experiences of affected women and families, identifying lessons learned and driving the improvements needed to ensure high quality and safe maternity and neonatal care across England.The Government is also establishing a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to be made up of a panel of experts and family, charity and staff representatives.The taskforce will use the recommendations from the independent investigation to develop a national plan to drive improvements across maternity and neonatal care, and will work closely with families in developing the action plan, ensuring their voices are central to this work.