Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of making the drug Monjaro available on the NHS.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to ensure that fit note assessments comply with NICE guidelines for autism and severe mental health conditions.

Awaiting answer.

In the context of fit notes, what clinical evidence supports removing or reducing GP involvement in decisions that NICE states require long term clinical understanding.

Awaiting answer.

What plans are in place to introduce screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in October 2026.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by those living with rare diseases and their families and is committed to improving outcomes. For very rare conditions, it is difficult to generate robust evidence to demonstrate the value of screening, becau...

Whether he plans to have discussions with experts on implementing health monitoring for firefighters.

On 16 April, the Department announced its intention to co‑produce a Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing, to develop a bespoke health monitoring offer for firefighters, and to undertake new research to improve the understanding of the long‑term...

Whether he plans to meet with the Fire Brigade’s Union to discuss the roll out of consistent and regular health monitoring for firefighters.

On 16 April, the Department announced its intention to co‑produce a Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing, to develop a bespoke health monitoring offer for firefighters, and to undertake new research to improve the understanding of the long‑term...

If he will confirm that introducing health monitoring for frontline firefighters in 2027 remains a priority for his Department.

On 16 April, the Department announced its intention to co‑produce a Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing, to develop a bespoke health monitoring offer for firefighters, and to undertake new research to improve the understanding of the long‑term...

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on NHS costs of increased levels of physical activity participation; and whether he has shared that assessment with HM Treasury.

Research from Sport England calculates that improved participation in sport and physical activity has a social value of £122.9 billion a year, which includes £15.9 billion of overall healthcare net savings accrued through the prevention of a range of chro...

What assessment his Department has made of the role of (a) gyms and (b) fitness businesses in delivering health prevention measures to the public.

Addressing physical inactivity and getting people moving more is important for improving health outcomes, reducing demand on the National Health Service, and supporting economic growth.The leisure and fitness sector play an important role in supporting th...

Whether his Department has considered formally recognising gyms and fitness facilities as part of the wider preventative health infrastructure.

Addressing physical inactivity and getting people moving more is important for improving health outcomes, reducing demand on the National Health Service, and supporting economic growth.The leisure and fitness sector play an important role in supporting th...

What frameworks govern the use of artificial intelligence systems supplied by Palantir Technologies within UK public services.

Within the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP), the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, regardless of supplier, is governed by a combination of law and cross Government best practice frameworks. These include the Department for Science, Innovation ...

Whether patients may opt out of the use of their data within systems operated by Palantir Technologies without prejudice to their treatment.

The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment to allow staff to better co-ordinate care, through managing theatre time better, improving the speed of a cancer dia...

Whether contractual provisions exist allowing the NHS to (a) terminate and (b) suspend arrangements with Palantir Technologies in the event of (i) national security, (ii) ethical and (iii) data gov

The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information across different National Health Service systems, in a single safe, secure environment. This allows staff to analyse data to improve the co-ordination of patient care, delivering benefi...

Whether algorithms and predictive systems within the NHS Federated Data Platform are subject to independent scrutiny for bias, discrimination or opaque automated decision-making.

The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment to allow staff to better co-ordinate care, through managing theatre time better, improving the speed of a cancer dia...

Whether an assessment has been made of the ability of public authorities to migrate NHS and other public sector datasets away from Palantir systems without (a) operational disruption and (b) excess

The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment. This gives National Health Service staff the ability to better co-ordinate care, and deliver benefits including man...

What safeguards are in place to prevent identifiable NHS patient data being accessed by (a) foreign governments and (b) entities subject to foreign jurisdiction.

The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) allows for the information in different National Health Service IT systems to be connected, in a single, safe, secure environment. This allows more effective management of the data, so care can be better co-ordina...

What next steps will be taken following the publication of the interim statement on the Modern Service Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care.

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained impr...

What discussions have taken place with other key players to ensure that the Modern Service Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care will be effective.

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained impr...

Whether financial support has been considered for charitable run air ambulances in light of rising aviation fuel costs.

The Operational Response Centre has been working closely with Air Ambulances UK from a resilience of fuel supply perspective, as part of routine, cross-Government emergency planning. There are no current plans to provide further funding to the sector whic...

If he will hold discussions with the Fire Brigades Union on the implementation of health monitoring for firefighters.

On 16 April 2026, the Department announced its intention to co-produce a Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing, to develop a bespoke health monitoring offer for firefighters, and to undertake new research to improve understanding of the long-term health risks firefighters face and the most effective forms of support. The Concordat will be jointly designed and developed with the sector, bringing together national and local Government, the National Health Service, fire chiefs, employers, the Fire Brigades Union and firefighters themselves. This work is being taken forward through the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on Fire and Rescue Reform.The health monitoring offer will be developed in partnership with the NHS, alongside the MAG, and with firefighters and their representatives, employers, clinicians, public health and occupational health experts, and relevant national bodies. The MAG will provide a mechanism to maintain shared oversight as the offer is designed, tested and refined.