Written questions by Glover.

What steps he is taking to ensure respiratory health is prioritised nationally, including through the introduction of a Modern Service Framework for respiratory care.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of (a) the prevalence of respiratory disease and (b) the number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in Didcot and Wantage compared with national averages.

Awaiting answer.

What the department’s timeline is for deciding on the second wave of Modern Service Frameworks.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions the Department has had with the Department for Science and Technology about the potential for a respiratory Modern Service Framework to strengthen the UK’s life sciences ecosystem by scaling up the adoption of new medicines and innovations for lung conditions.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment the department has made of whether funding for epilepsy research is proportionate to the prevalence of epilepsy.

The Department delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Departmental investment in the NIHR facilitates the direct funding of research projects through NIHR programmes, support for researchers to develop and conduc...

Whether the Department plans to increase funding opportunities for epilepsy research.

The Department delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Departmental investment in the NIHR facilitates the direct funding of research projects through NIHR programmes, support for researchers to develop and conduc...

What steps he is taking to improve timely diagnosis for people living with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Through the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, NHS England supports local integrated care boards (ICBs) to help deliver high-quality, timely services, including for people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The GIRFT programme on gas...

What steps are being taken to ensure that key risk factors for epilepsy patients are proactively assessed, and what is being done to increase awareness of these risk factors.

The Government is taking steps to support a more proactive and preventative approach to epilepsy care through earlier recognition and improved management. Guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets clear expect...

What steps are being taken to shift epilepsy care from a reactive approach to a proactive preventative model, such as increased early identification of symptoms.

The Government is taking steps to support a more proactive and preventative approach to epilepsy care through earlier recognition and improved management. Guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets clear expect...

What steps his Department are taking to help ensure that epilepsy patients and their families have access to readily-available information of SUDEP risk and prevention.

The Government is taking steps to support a more proactive and preventative approach to epilepsy care through earlier recognition and improved management. Guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets clear expect...

What steps the department is taking to ensure early diagnosis for individuals with dementia.

To support recovery of the dementia diagnosis rates and implementation of the Dementia Care Pathway, we have developed a memory service dashboard for management information purposes. The aim is to support commissioners and providers with appropriate data ...

What the average study set-up time was for (a) all dementia clinical studies, (b) commercial dementia studies and (c) non-commercial dementia studies supported by the National Institute for Health

The UK Clinical Research Delivery key performance indicators report brings together data to monitor the delivery of globally competitive clinical research across the United Kingdom. This report is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/governm...

What steps the department is taking to reduce regional disparities in dementia diagnosis rates.

To support recovery of the dementia diagnosis rates and implementation of the Dementia Care Pathway, we have developed a memory service dashboard for management information purposes. The aim is to support commissioners and providers with appropriate data ...

With reference to the recent update to NICE guideline on ovarian cancer, what consideration he has given to implementing dual testing using CA125 and ultrasound at the same time for women of all ag

The recent update to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on ovarian cancer included the consideration of the dual use of CA125 and ultrasound, and there was no evidence identified for this review question. The committee...

What steps he is taking to help improve access to trials for new dementia treatments in Didcot and Wantage constituency.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with dementia, 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 Research (NIHR) which supports National Health Service patients, the public, and NHS organisations across England to participate in high-quality research, including clinical trials into dementia.The Department, via the NIHR, is also investing nearly £50 million into the Dementia Trials Network, a coordinated network of trial sites across the United Kingdom, which will offer people with dementia the opportunity to take part in early phase clinical trials irrespective of where they live. This is complemented by the £20 million Dementia Trials Accelerator, designed to position the United Kingdom as the destination of choice for late phase clinical trials in dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.In partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and Alzheimer Scotland, the NIHR delivers Join Dementia Research, an online platform which enables the involvement of people with and without a dementia diagnosis, as well as carers, to take part in a range of important research, including studies evaluating potential treatments for dementia.The NIHR also provides an online service called 'Be Part of Research', which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies, including those with dementia, and register their interest.The NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery Network supports the delivery of dementia studies and increased patient participation and timely access to clinical trials for NHS organisations serving the Didcot and Wantage constituency, this is complemented by NIHR Biomedical Research Centres, including the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre in developing cognitive, imaging and blood-based biomarkers that support earlier detection.

If he will make an assessment of whether individual ICBs are deviating from NICE guidance.

Integrated care boards are legally required to make funding available for medicines recommended in a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal or highly specialised technology evaluation, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance. The effect of this legal obligation is that all NICE-approved treatments must be included in local formularies for use in line with NICE’s recommendations and with no additional funding or formulary restrictions.As part of commitments made in the 2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access, NHS England is developing a local formulary national minimum dataset to increase visibility of local variation in the implementation of NICE guidance, identify where variation in local formularies may be creating barriers to access, and to provide assurance to NHS England when a NICE recommended treatment has been listed on a local formulary.

Whether he has held discussions with Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board on its policy on access to fertility services.

No discussions have been held with the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (ICB) about its provision of National Health Service-funded in vitro fertilisation treatment.Decisions about the provision of health services in England are made by ICBs and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. They are expected to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.Updated NICE fertility guidelines are expected in spring. The Department will continue to support NHS England as they work closely with ICBs to ensure the guidance is fully considered in local commissioning decisions.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the concerns raised by the Dental Defence Union in their British Dental Journal article, published on 16 May 2025 in relation to the delays in fitness to practise proceedings.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.In the first instance, we plan to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework in late 2025, and to deliver reformed legislation for the Health and Care Professions Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council within the current Parliamentary period.The Department will continue to work with all regulators, the devolved administrations, and other key partners as we develop more consistent, efficient, and effective regulatory frameworks.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of issuing a Section 60 Order to update fitness to practise proceedings for dental professionals.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.In the first instance, we plan to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework in late 2025, and to deliver reformed legislation for the Health and Care Professions Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council within the current Parliamentary period.The Department will continue to work with all regulators, the devolved administrations, and other key partners as we develop more consistent, efficient, and effective regulatory frameworks.

Whether NHS dental contract holders will be eligible for treatment at the Staff Treatment Hubs announced in the 10 Year Health Plan.

Following the publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, work is underway to develop implementation and operational plans for the Staff Treatments Hubs. This will determine factors such as location, budgets, timeframes and capacity.The commitment to Staff Treatment hubs set out in the 10-Year Health Plan draws on various evidence sources including the NHS England internal Staff Treatment Access Review. This demonstrated the clear productivity and economic argument for investing in the health of our NHS staff, particularly focusing on mental health and musculoskeletal treatment services as the main drivers of sickness absence in the NHS, as well as wider sectors.