Written questions by Coombes.

What steps he is taking to ensure trans people have equal access to healthcare.

All patients, including LGBT+ patients, should feel comfortable and confident accessing National Health Services when they need to. Nobody should experience discrimination while accessing the healthcare they need.We understand LGBT+ patients experience specific barriers to access and that in part is why last year my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, commissioned NHS England to undertake an LGBT+ health evidence review.The review is being led by Dr Michael Brady, the National Advisor for LGBT+ Health at NHS England, and its objectives are:identifying barriers to accessing healthcare services for LGBT+ people;exploring experiences of healthcare, notably areas of poorer experience; andunderstanding the impact of LGBT+ health inequalities on outcomes and patient safety.The review is expected to conclude in Spring 2026 with a final report and recommendations for my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.Further information about what the review covers, as well as its methodology, can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/patient-equalities-programme/lgbt-health/lgbt-health-evidence-review/Transgender people can access specialist services for gender dysphoria and incongruence, and the Government recognises that waiting times are far too long for children and young people, and adults. This is why we are working closely with NHS England to implement recommendations from the Cass Review and NHS Adult Gender Services Review to improve these services. To that end NHS England has significantly increased investment in these services. It has opened three new regional gender services for children and young people since April 2024, with an ambition to have service provision in every region by 2026/27 and has increased the number of adult clinics from seven to 12 since 2020.

What steps he is taking to tackle discrimination against trans people in the healthcare system.

All patients, including LGBT+ patients, should feel comfortable and confident accessing National Health Services when they need to. Nobody should experience discrimination while accessing the healthcare they need.We understand LGBT+ patients experience specific barriers to access and that in part is why last year my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, commissioned NHS England to undertake an LGBT+ health evidence review.The review is being led by Dr Michael Brady, the National Advisor for LGBT+ Health at NHS England, and its objectives are:identifying barriers to accessing healthcare services for LGBT+ people;exploring experiences of healthcare, notably areas of poorer experience; andunderstanding the impact of LGBT+ health inequalities on outcomes and patient safety.The review is expected to conclude in Spring 2026 with a final report and recommendations for my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.Further information about what the review covers, as well as its methodology, can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/patient-equalities-programme/lgbt-health/lgbt-health-evidence-review/Transgender people can access specialist services for gender dysphoria and incongruence, and the Government recognises that waiting times are far too long for children and young people, and adults. This is why we are working closely with NHS England to implement recommendations from the Cass Review and NHS Adult Gender Services Review to improve these services. To that end NHS England has significantly increased investment in these services. It has opened three new regional gender services for children and young people since April 2024, with an ambition to have service provision in every region by 2026/27 and has increased the number of adult clinics from seven to 12 since 2020.

What steps he is taking to half the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions.

It is a priority for the Government to halve the gap between the richest and the poorest regions and to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are born, lives well for longer. We recognise that recently released Office for National Statistics Data on Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) data is concerning and there is more we need to do.We are tackling the root causes of the HLE gap, focusing on key prevention policies such as reducing obesity and smoking, improving NHS access and outcomes, and through coordinated cross‑Government action on wider determinants like air quality and fuel poverty.A core mission of the 10-Year Health Plan is to reduce the persistent inequalities that shape people’s health. The plan’s three shifts all serve one purpose, to improve outcomes for the communities who face the greatest disadvantage.We are working across Government to ensure health is embedded in the policies that shape people’s daily lives, from the homes they live in to the air they breathe. Recent cross-Government action includes the Warm Homes Plan, the Keep Britain Working Review, and the Homelessness Strategy.We are also taking a range of cross-Government action to tackle health inequality. This includes the introduction of Awaab’s Law, ensuring landlords will have to fix significant damp and mould hazards, and legislating for a new statutory health and health inequalities duty for strategic authorities.

After factoring in the national decline in healthy life expectancy referenced in the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 115639, for what reason Sandwell has seen a further decline in HLE for men and women since 2020.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased mortality during 2020, 2021, and 2022, and explains the national decline observed in healthy life expectancy (HLE) since 2020. Some negative impact remains in the latest reporting period, from 2022 to 2024. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesuk/between2011to2013and2022to2024HLE at birth for Sandwell stood at 51.3 years for females and 52.7 years for males for the latest period 2022 to 2024. This compares to 61.3 and 60.9 years for females and males respectively, for England.HLE is a broad summary measure of population health, combining mortality rates and self-reported health, at various ages. This can make it difficult to interpret the reasons behind the changes observed, especially as HLE is known to be influenced by a wide range of social, economic, environmental, and behavioural factors.The Government recognises that health inequalities can widen if access and quality of healthcare are worse where need is greatest. Therefore, over the course of our 10-Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities and addressing wider determinants of health through services like debt advice, employment support, and obesity management programmes.Nationwide coverage will take time, but we will start in the areas of greatest need where healthy life expectancy is lowest, including rural towns and communities with higher deprivation levels and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it the most.

With reference to the answer of 3 March 2026 to question 115639, what factors are behind the national decline in healthy life expectancy since 2020.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased mortality during 2020, 2021, and 2022, and explains the national decline observed in healthy life expectancy (HLE) since 2020. Some negative impact remains in the latest reporting period, from 2022 to 2024. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesuk/between2011to2013and2022to2024HLE at birth for Sandwell stood at 51.3 years for females and 52.7 years for males for the latest period 2022 to 2024. This compares to 61.3 and 60.9 years for females and males respectively, for England.HLE is a broad summary measure of population health, combining mortality rates and self-reported health, at various ages. This can make it difficult to interpret the reasons behind the changes observed, especially as HLE is known to be influenced by a wide range of social, economic, environmental, and behavioural factors.The Government recognises that health inequalities can widen if access and quality of healthcare are worse where need is greatest. Therefore, over the course of our 10-Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities and addressing wider determinants of health through services like debt advice, employment support, and obesity management programmes.Nationwide coverage will take time, but we will start in the areas of greatest need where healthy life expectancy is lowest, including rural towns and communities with higher deprivation levels and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it the most.

With reference to the ONS document entitled Healthy life expectancy, UK: between 2011 to 2013 and 2022 to 2024, published on 19 February 2026, whether his Department has assessed the reasons for declining healthy life expectancy for men and women in Sandwell over the last decade.

Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) at birth for females and males in Sandwell was fairly stable from the beginning of our current consistent data series, 2011 to 2013, up until 2018 to 2020, at which point it peaked temporarily. Since then, the steady decline in HLE in Sandwell is reflective of the decline observed nationally.The Government recognises that the latest figures are concerning, because they reflect people spending more of their lives in poor health. These statistics are about people’s lives and the reality of persistent health inequalities across the country. That is why the Government remains committed to halving the gap in HLE between the richest and poorest regions.HLE is a long-term measure shaped by decades of social and economic factors. Short term movements in the data do not change the Government’s commitment to ensuring everyone lives well for longer, regardless of where they are from.A core mission of the 10-Year Health Plan is to reduce the persistent inequalities that shape people’s health. The plan’s three shifts all serve one purpose, to improve outcomes for the communities who face the greatest disadvantage.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of resident doctor training positions.

We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure that patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it. We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest. This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to build the transformed health service we will deliver over the next decade.

What proportion of same-sex female couples are receiving NHS-funded IVF after undertaking six self-funded rounds of Intrauterine insemination as recommended by NICE.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that between 2020 and 2022, the years in which they have the most recently data available, 25% of patients in same-sex female couples in the United Kingdom received National Health Service-funded in vitro fertilization (IVF), after completing six self-funded rounds of intrauterine insemination.Integrated care boards are expected to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. We expect this review to be published in 2025. The Government will also be receiving advice from NHS England on the eligibility criteria for IVF and on access to treatment, and this will inform the Government’s considerations of future policy options.

Whether he will make an assessment of the eligibility criteria for IVF on access to treatment for (a) single patients and (b) same-sex female couples.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that between 2020 and 2022, the years in which they have the most recently data available, 25% of patients in same-sex female couples in the United Kingdom received National Health Service-funded in vitro fertilization (IVF), after completing six self-funded rounds of intrauterine insemination.Integrated care boards are expected to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. We expect this review to be published in 2025. The Government will also be receiving advice from NHS England on the eligibility criteria for IVF and on access to treatment, and this will inform the Government’s considerations of future policy options.

Whether he plans to take steps to help reduce the cost of IVF for female same-sex couples.

The Government has signed secondary legislation into law on 31 October 2024 to update the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which removes additional screening costs for female same sex couples undergoing reciprocal in-vitro fertilisation.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently reviewing the fertility guideline and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to National Health Service-funded treatment are still appropriate. We expect this review to be published in 2025. NHS England will be providing advice on this issue, and the Government will be considering future policy options soon.

Whether improving respiratory health will be central to the new NHS 10-year plan.

The 10-Year Health Plan will consider the change needed to meet the three health mission goals: a fairer system where everyone lives well for longer; a National Health Service that is there when people need it; and fewer lives lost to the biggest killers. We will carefully be considering policies with input from the public, patients, health staff, and our stakeholders as we develop the plan.

What assessment he has made of the impact of the current NHS resource allocation formula on more deprived areas.

The National Health Service resource allocation formula is intended to support equal opportunity of access for equal need, taking account of NHS England’s duty to have regard to the need to reduce health inequalities. The formula takes account of factors such as demography, morbidity, deprivation, and the unavoidable cost of providing services in different areas. In addition, a further adjustment to address health inequalities and unmet needs increases the resources directed to deprived areas. The formula is based on independent academic research which is overseen by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation, which in turn provides advice to the Chief Executive of NHS England on whether changes to the formula should be considered.

What steps he is taking to improve patient satisfaction with GP services in West Bromwich constituency.

We recognise that despite the hard work of general practice (GP) teams, patients are still struggling to access care from GPs nationally and in local areas such as Bromwich. We also know that while GPs are delivering record numbers of appointments, patient satisfaction has dropped nationally. We have a plan to fix this, which will require both investment and reform. Firstly, we will increase the proportion of funding for GPs, starting with a commitment to recruit over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. This will increase the number of appointments delivered in GPs, secure the future pipeline of GPs, as well as take pressure off those currently working in the system.Additionally, we will deliver a modern booking system and end the 8:00am scramble for GP appointments, which we know impacts patient satisfaction. We will also bring back the family doctor by incentivising GPs to see the same patient to improve care for those with long-term conditions.

What steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for elective surgeries in West Bromwich constituency.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission and a top priority for the Government, as we get the National Health Service back on its feet. Equality of both access to care and outcomes will be at the heart of building an NHS that is fit for the future.We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by the end of this Parliament. As a first step to achieving this, we will deliver an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week across the country, and will increase the number of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and other tests, that are needed to reduce elective and cancer waits.NHS providers, including those serving the West Bromwich constituency, are focused on reducing waiting lists for planned treatment, and specifically focusing on patients waiting over 65 weeks by the end of September.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to primary care services.

Too many patients are finding it impossible to access care. In May, a staggering 1.4 million patients waited for over a month for an appointment. That is why we are committed to: fix the front door to the NHS; bring back the family doctor; and shift the focus of care away from hospitals and into the community.