Written questions by Niblett.

Whether he plans to take steps to (a) prioritise and (b) increase the speed of access to (i) vaccines and (ii) other preventative treatments for recurrent urinary tract infections, once approved.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) evaluates new licensed medicines, to determine whether they represent a clinically effective and cost-effective use of National Health Service resources. NICE aims to publish guidance on new medicines as close as possible to the date that the drug receives its marketing authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.NICE published a guideline, Urinary tract infection (recurrent): antimicrobial prescribing, with the reference code NG112, which includes recommendations on treatments for preventing recurrent urinary tract infection, including antibiotic prophylaxis and methenamine hippurate. Recommendations on methenamine hippurate were updated in 2024 following a review of current evidence. This guideline is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng112The recommendations in the guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, NHS professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences, and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory for the NHS to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility of healthcare practitioners to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them, and their families and carers or guardian where appropriate. NICE does not manage the delivery of NHS care or monitor compliance with its guidelines.

What steps he is taking to ensure that every Integrated Care Board in England has a dedicated care pathway in place for people living with young onset dementia.

NHS England is committed to delivering high quality care and support for every person with dementia at every age, and central to this is the provision of personalised care.The Well Pathway for Dementia highlights that services need to be integrated, commissioned, monitored, and aligned with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) standards for each component of the pathway. It makes it clear that the needs, wishes, and preferences of each individual, including those with young onset dementia, should be taken into account when planning and providing their care.The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of NICE’s guidelines. It is the responsibility of ICBs to work within their geographical area to offer services that meet the needs of their population.

Whether any (a) vaccines and (b) alternative preventative treatments for recurrent urinary tract infections are (i) currently under review by UK regulatory bodies and (ii) expected to enter the UK market.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an executive agency of the Department and regulates medicine, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the United Kingdom, with responsibility for ensuring medicines meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.At present there are no pending vaccines or new medicines awaiting market authorisation for urinary tract infections by the MHRA. The MHRA is ready to support companies that are looking to introduce new medicines to the United Kingdom market, offering regulatory and scientific advice to help companies at any stage of the product development process. The MHRA has established procedures in place to review any applications we receive to evaluate the benefit risk of a product. The exact timeframe will depend on the type of submission the company makes.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) evaluates new licensed medicines, to determine whether they represent a clinically effective and cost-effective use of National Health Service resources. NICE aims to publish guidance on new medicines as close as possible to the date that the drug receives its marketing authorisation from the MHRA.The MHRA and NICE have launched an aligned pathway for the assessment of medicines enabling access for patients three to six months earlier for those medicines using this route.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 2026-27 GP contract on continuity of care; and whether he has evaluated the cost-effectiveness of reduced continuity.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the workload and associated cost to GP practices arising from the expansion of Advice and Refer under the 2026/27 GP contract; and what funding has been allocated to general practice to cover those costs.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the financial and workforce impact of the requirement to deliver same-day responses to all clinically urgent requests under the 2026/27 GP contract on GP practices.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the level of funding in the 2026/27 GP contract for the level of activity delivered by general practice.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased use of online consultation systems on total demand for GP services; and whether additional funding has been provided to practices to meet any increase in workload arising from that demand.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions his Department has had with NHS England on expanding medical exemption criteria to include cardiac arrest survivors dependent on long‑term rhythm‑stabilising medication.

There are no current plans to add cardiac arrest to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, and no discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.People who require long-term heart medication may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.

Whether his department plans to review prescription charge exemptions for people who require lifelong medication following a cardiac arrest.

There are no current plans to add cardiac arrest to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, and no discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.People who require long-term heart medication may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.

What steps he is taking to ensure that people access long‑term heart medication given the level of prescription charges.

There are no current plans to add cardiac arrest to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, and no discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.People who require long-term heart medication may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.

Whether NHS England plans to update its clinical guidance on long‑term support for cardiac arrest survivors, including access to free medication.

NHS England is focused on improving long‑term, holistic follow‑up and rehabilitation after cardiac arrest. In December 2024, to support local systems to commission high quality cardiac rehabilitation, NHS England published Commissioning standards for cardiac rehabilitation, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/commissioning-standards-for-cardiovascular-rehabilitation/Access to prescribed medicines is determined through existing medicines and prescribing policy.

What steps are required for vaccines for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections to obtain regulatory approval including an indicative timeline for licensing.

For any new medicine to be introduced to the United Kingdom market an application to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is required. The MHRA is ready to support companies that are looking to introduce new medicines to the United Kingdom market, offering regulatory and scientific advice to help companies at any stage of the product development process. The MHRA has established procedures in place to review any applications we receive to evaluate the benefit risk of a product in relation to its quality, safety, and efficacy. The exact timeframe will depend on the type of submission the company makes.

Following the announcement in the Budget on 30th October 2025 and its requirement for both the National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance contributions to be increased, whether assurances will be given to General Practices nationally that they will be reimbursed for these increased costs.

Funding for general practice (GP) is agreed annually through consultation on the GP Contract, which considers wider cost pressures facing practices as part of the overall settlement. These funding decisions are informed by a range of factors, including independent recommendations from the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, where relevant, as well as affordability considerations. However, the GP Contract does not provide for automatic reimbursement of individual cost increases, including changes to National Insurance contributions or the National Minimum Wage.In this context, we have uplifted the GP Contract by £601 million for 2026/27. This builds on last year’s £1.1 billion of investment, taking the two-year increase to £1.7 billion, or 13.8% in cash terms and 8.1% in real terms. Through consultation with stakeholders, we set these uplifts and changes to the contract with regard to the pressures faced by businesses. This includes the costs associated with the Government’s agreement to implement review body recommendations, including a 3.5% pay rise for GPs.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) address threshold‑based exclusion in adult eating disorder services,(b) reduce funding disparities between child and adult eating disorder services, and (c) strengthen safeguarding procedures for adults who are declined treatment despite clinically significant medical risk.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that have enduring physical and psychological impacts. This is compounded by known difficulties accessing timely, consistent, and appropriate care across the system. The Government has set out its long-term approach to mental health reform as part of the 10-Year Health Plan for the National Health Service. This plan is built around three key shifts, from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention, and from analogue to digital, all of which are essential to improving care for those with eating disorders. In January, NHS England published long-awaited updated commissioning guidance for children and young people’s eating disorder services. The guidance takes a whole-pathway approach, prioritising community-based care, earlier identification and intervention, and better integration with schools, colleges, and primary care. Specialised adult eating disorder inpatient services are not commissioned based on fixed thresholds. Admission decisions are made by multidisciplinary clinical teams following a comprehensive assessment of clinical risk, including physical health, psychiatric presentation, rate of deterioration, and wider social factors. Body mass index may inform clinical assessment but is not used in isolation to determine access to inpatient care. Integrated care boards (ICBs) commission services across the full pathway, including both adult and children and young people’s provision. This enables resources to be allocated at a system level based on population need, with specialised inpatient services forming part of a broader continuum of care. Where individuals are not admitted to specialised inpatient services, responsibility for ongoing care and risk management remains with local clinical teams under ICB commissioning arrangements. Safeguarding is managed through established NHS and statutory multi-agency frameworks, ensuring that individuals at risk continue to receive appropriate oversight and support. Specialised inpatient services operate as part of an integrated system, with NHS Led Provider Collaboratives supporting coordinated care and clinically led decision-making based on individual need.

What assistance his Department provides for young people with caring responsibilities for older (a) siblings and (b) relatives.

Local authorities must identify young carers, including those caring for older siblings and relatives, who may need support and assess their needs when requested. We strongly support the No Wrong Doors for Young Carers Memorandum of Understanding, which promotes collaboration across children’s and adults’ services, health partners, and schools. We strongly encourage local authorities to sign up to it.NHS England is supporting the identification of young carers through general practice guidance and improved data sharing. NHS England is also leading a cross-Government project, co-produced with young carers and voluntary, community, and social enterprise partners, to improve identification, strengthen support pathways, and join up services across education, health, and local organisations.I chair a regular cross-Government meeting with ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Education, to consider how best to provide unpaid carers and young carers with the recognition and support they deserve. The Government is preparing a cross-Government action plan for unpaid carers which we plan to publish later this year. This will include actions to strengthen further the support that is provided to young carers.

Whether his Department has plans to introduce statutory regulation for psychotherapy professions, including counsellors and CBT psychotherapists.

The Government is clear that the professions protected in law must be the right ones and that the level of regulatory oversight must be proportionate to the risks to the public.The Department keeps the professions subject to regulation under review but has no current plans to extend statutory regulation to psychotherapy professions, including counsellors and cognitive behavioural therapy psychotherapists.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of regulation of psychotherapy professions.

The Government is clear that the professions protected in law must be the right ones and that the level of regulatory oversight must be proportionate to the risks to the public.The Department keeps the professions subject to regulation under review but has no current plans to extend statutory regulation to psychotherapy professions, including counsellors and cognitive behavioural therapy psychotherapists.

What guidance his Department has issued on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and the challenges to patients in accessing diagnosis and treatment.

The Department recognises the complex needs of people living with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). Our approach focuses on improving care coordination and access to appropriate services.The National Health Service has published an overview of mastocytosis, a similar, distinct, mast cell disorder. This includes information regarding symptoms as well as treatment options. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mastocytosis/Specialised commissioning has published the Service Specification for Specialist Allergy Services which covers the responsibilities of specialised commissioned providers in regard to patients with mastocytosis and related disorders. This is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/specialist-allergy-services-adults-service-specification-v2.9.pdfThe management of people with mastocytosis is provided by specialised allergy/immunology, dermatology and haematology services. The lead clinician will vary at different centres, but specialist allergy input should be readily available.

What steps his Department is taking to help support people with pelvic health conditions through the Pelvic Partnership; and what support and service provision is available in South Derbyshire constituency.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 March 2026 to Question 117110.