Written questions by Gibson.

How many children under the age of 18 were newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in each of the last five years, and how many of those cases involved hospital admission through accident and emergency departments.

The information is not held in the format requested.Information is held on the count of finished admission episodes on emergency admissions and those made through accident and emergency (A&E) departments for patients aged between zero and 17 years old with a primary diagnosis of 'type 1 diabetes' for activity between 2020/21 to 2024/25.YearTotal admissions (including non- emergency)All emergency admissions (including those not made via A&E department)Emergency admissions made via the A&E department2020/216,0065,5693,7712021/227,1206,5614,4832022/236,5086,0274,1752023/246,2715,7924,1792024/256,0135,5374,171Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS England

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of independent advocacy services for patients in Wiltshire.

Advocacy services play an important role in helping patients' voices to be heard and in ensuring their legal rights are protected. Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence indicates that advocacy can provide several benefits, including helping to uphold individuals’ rights, supporting vulnerable individuals, involvement in decision-making, and promoting continuity of care.There are several different types of patient advocacy services, and it is for local commissioning bodies to plan and commission advocacy services, in line with relevant legislation.Specifically on complaints advocacy services, whilst National Health Service organisations must have their own complaints procedures, they are not required to provide complaints advocacy services. The legal duty to provide this service rests with local authorities, who are required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to make arrangements for the provision of independent advocacy services in their area. Each year the Government provides approximately £15 million of grant funding to local authorities towards this service.

What requirements are placed on NHS trusts and integrated care boards on the publication of independent NHS complaints advocacy services to patients, including in Wiltshire.

Advocacy services play an important role in helping patients' voices to be heard and in ensuring their legal rights are protected. Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence indicates that advocacy can provide several benefits, including helping to uphold individuals’ rights, supporting vulnerable individuals, involvement in decision-making, and promoting continuity of care.There are several different types of patient advocacy services, and it is for local commissioning bodies to plan and commission advocacy services, in line with relevant legislation.Specifically on complaints advocacy services, whilst National Health Service organisations must have their own complaints procedures, they are not required to provide complaints advocacy services. The legal duty to provide this service rests with local authorities, who are required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to make arrangements for the provision of independent advocacy services in their area. Each year the Government provides approximately £15 million of grant funding to local authorities towards this service.

What geographic barriers there are to accessing independent advocacy services for patients in rural areas, including Wiltshire; and what steps he is taking to help tackle those barriers.

Advocacy services play an important role in helping patients' voices to be heard and in ensuring their legal rights are protected. Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence indicates that advocacy can provide several benefits, including helping to uphold individuals’ rights, supporting vulnerable individuals, involvement in decision-making, and promoting continuity of care.There are several different types of patient advocacy services, and it is for local commissioning bodies to plan and commission advocacy services, in line with relevant legislation.Specifically on complaints advocacy services, whilst National Health Service organisations must have their own complaints procedures, they are not required to provide complaints advocacy services. The legal duty to provide this service rests with local authorities, who are required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to make arrangements for the provision of independent advocacy services in their area. Each year the Government provides approximately £15 million of grant funding to local authorities towards this service.

Whether his Department has assessed the factors contributing to variation in intervention rates between NHS trusts.

The Department has made no specific assessment. Local National Health Service commissioners are responsible for planning healthcare services that meet the needs of their respective populations. NHS trust interventions will vary across services and in response to a range of local factors.

What plans he has to improve the recording of miscarriage in NHS services.

The risk of miscarriage is estimated at 15%, and there are approximately 100,000 to 150,000 miscarriages per year in the United Kingdom. However, due to lack of data on the earliest losses, the true figure could be higher at approximately 250,000 a year.An update to digital record standards on maternity in March 2025 means that the National Health Service is now able to record the pregnancy outcome for any woman, including miscarriage, where they have been in contact with NHS maternity services.NHS England is in the early stages of a new project to review the Maternity Services Dataset, and we will carefully consider miscarriage information as part of this work.

What steps he is taking to support retention within the maternity and neonatal workforce.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals.To support this ambition, the Government plans to introduce a new set of standards for modern employment in April 2026. The new standards will reaffirm our commitment to improving retention by tackling the issues that matter to staff including promoting flexible working, improving staff health and wellbeing, and dealing with violence, racism, and sexual harassment in the NHS workplace. They will provide a framework for leaders across the NHS to build a supportive culture that embeds retention.Targeted retention initiatives for nurses and midwives have also been undertaken by NHS England and led by the Chief Nursing Officer, including: the introduction of a nursing and midwifery retention self-assessment tool; a national preceptorship framework; mentoring schemes; and strengthened advice and support on pensions and flexible retirement options.

What steps he is taking to address variation in access to NHS-funded IVF treatment between integrated care boards.

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand NHS-funded fertility services and the effectiveness of these services. This work will take time to develop, and the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process, beginning in the new year.Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether its current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September and closed on 21 October 2025.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of information on birth care choices for expectant parents.

An assessment of the adequacy of the availability of information on birth care choices for expectant parents has not been made at a national level.This information is managed by local trusts and must reflect the facilities that are available locally. Information on birth care choices must also be accompanied by personalised advice from a midwife or obstetrician.It is expected that care is provided in line with national guidelines, such as guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE’s guideline on intrapartum care sets out the standard of intrapartum care, ensuring women and pregnant people receive safe, evidence-based information and support during labour and birth. It emphasises the role of healthcare professionals in supporting informed choice by providing clear information on the full range of birth settings and care options, enabling women to make decisions that reflect their preferences and needs.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the condition of maternity wards and equipment across NHS trusts.

NHS England’s maternity and neonatal infrastructure review was completed in spring 2024 by all trusts in England that provide maternity and neonatal services. It found various issues with maternity and neonatal service infrastructure, including limited physical space, inadequate capacity for efficient services, and poor building conditions.However, all trust boards are asked to review their estates data and to seek assurance that all healthcare premises, from which they are delivering maternity and neonatal services, are of appropriate standard. In instances where the estate is not of appropriate standard, trust boards should ensure mitigating action is being taken accordingly.NHS England is developing a data dashboard to present maternity and neonatal estate survey data. This will enable trusts to capture the latest information on their estates and take action at the local level when required.The independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, chaired by Baroness Amos, is considering the adequacy of maternity and neonatal infrastructure within its scope.

With reference to the Ockenden report, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the progress in delivering the Immediate and Essential Actions; and if he will publish an update on the implementation status of each action within every NHS trust providing maternity care.

The final report of the Ockenden review contained 96 immediate and essential actions (IEAs), some national and some for local implementation. The IEAs contained in the Ockenden review were brought together, alongside other reports and guidance, into NHS England’s three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services. A review of progress against the national actions in April 2025 demonstrated that work has been completed for many actions, but that there have been some challenges, for example in pre-conception care for women with pre-existing medical conditions.NHS England wrote to all trusts and systems following publication of the review in April 2022, asking them to deliver the recommendations and report to their public boards. The expectation is that local board oversight of progress with implementation should be ongoing. Following discussion, it was agreed that some of the actions should not be universally implemented, for example newly qualified midwives remaining hospital based for one year post-qualifying.More widely, Baroness Amos is leading a rapid, national, independent investigation into National Health Service maternity and neonatal services to help us to understand the systemic issues behind why so many women, babies, and families experience unacceptable care. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has agreed with Baroness Amos that the investigation will publish its final report and recommendations in the spring of 2026, bringing together the findings of past reviews into one clear national set of recommendations.The Government is also setting up a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The taskforce will take forward the recommendations of the investigation to develop a new national action plan to drive improvements across maternity and neonatal care.

What recent discussions his Department has had on the use of AI-based mental health tools in the NHS; and whether he plans to consult relevant stakeholders on the use of such tools.

The Department recognises the potential of artificial intelligence-based tools to support mental health services in the National Health Service. Recent discussions have focused on ensuring that these technologies meet safety, ethical, and clinical standards. We are working with NHS England, regulators such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and other partners to develop robust evaluation frameworks. Plans include consultation with clinicians, patient groups, and industry to ensure transparency and public confidence. Any adoption will comply with NHS standards and data protection requirements.

What recent discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the use of AI-based mental health tools in the NHS; and what plans he has to consult on the use of these tools.

The Department recognises the potential of artificial intelligence-based tools to support mental health services in the National Health Service. Recent discussions have focused on ensuring that these technologies meet safety, ethical, and clinical standards. We are working with NHS England, regulators such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and other partners to develop robust evaluation frameworks. Plans include consultation with clinicians, patient groups, and industry to ensure transparency and public confidence. Any adoption will comply with NHS standards and data protection requirements.

What assessment he has made of GP accreditation coverage for Veteran Aware practices in Wiltshire, and what steps are being taken to close any gaps.

NHS England has been working with the regional providers of Op COURAGE to ensure that they are meeting the needs of veterans. This includes reviewing the time that veterans wait for assessment and treatment. Any required changes identified through this internal review will be implemented from April 2026.All primary care networks in Wiltshire have at least one general practice (GP) accredited as being veteran friendly. NHS England, in partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners, are continuing to encourage GPs to participate in the Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP accreditation scheme. This voluntary initiative is available to GPs across England and is free to access.NHS England is working with Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE to develop more meaningful data on outcomes, patient satisfaction, and to demonstrate progress on continuous improvement in services and clinical provision. This work will focus on ensuring that future reporting is both purposeful and proportionate, to avoid detracting from the delivery of frontline services.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for veterans accessing Op COURAGE services, including for those in rural counties such as Wiltshire.

NHS England has been working with the regional providers of Op COURAGE to ensure that they are meeting the needs of veterans. This includes reviewing the time that veterans wait for assessment and treatment. Any required changes identified through this internal review will be implemented from April 2026.All primary care networks in Wiltshire have at least one general practice (GP) accredited as being veteran friendly. NHS England, in partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners, are continuing to encourage GPs to participate in the Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP accreditation scheme. This voluntary initiative is available to GPs across England and is free to access.NHS England is working with Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE to develop more meaningful data on outcomes, patient satisfaction, and to demonstrate progress on continuous improvement in services and clinical provision. This work will focus on ensuring that future reporting is both purposeful and proportionate, to avoid detracting from the delivery of frontline services.

Whether the Government will commit to publishing outcome data and not only referral figures for Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE as set out in the Veterans Strategy.

NHS England has been working with the regional providers of Op COURAGE to ensure that they are meeting the needs of veterans. This includes reviewing the time that veterans wait for assessment and treatment. Any required changes identified through this internal review will be implemented from April 2026.All primary care networks in Wiltshire have at least one general practice (GP) accredited as being veteran friendly. NHS England, in partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners, are continuing to encourage GPs to participate in the Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP accreditation scheme. This voluntary initiative is available to GPs across England and is free to access.NHS England is working with Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE to develop more meaningful data on outcomes, patient satisfaction, and to demonstrate progress on continuous improvement in services and clinical provision. This work will focus on ensuring that future reporting is both purposeful and proportionate, to avoid detracting from the delivery of frontline services.

Whether training on the NHS Accessible Information Standard will be included in the competency framework setting out all nationally mandated training subjects, in the context of NHS’s England’s ongoing review of mandatory training for NHS staff.

NHS England is currently considering the inclusion of the Accessible Information Standard in the Competency Framework as part of their review of mandatory and statutory training for National Health Service staff.In the meantime, NHS England is working to support implementation of the Accessible Information Standard with awareness raising, communication and engagement, and a review of the current e-learning modules on the Accessible Information Standard. The intention is to ensure that staff and organisations in the NHS are aware of the Accessible Information Standard and the importance of meeting the information and communication needs of disabled people using services.

What the timeline is for making the NHS Accessible Information Standard mandatory for health and social care providers, following commencement of regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022.

Mandatory information standards will be introduced in a staged process. There is no timeline yet for issuing a mandatory NHS Accessible Information Standard.

Whether the (a) NHS Food Scanner app and (b) Good choice badge take into account the level of (i) food processing and the (ii) presence of industrial additives when determining which foods are healthy.

The primary function of the NHS Food Scanner app is to show how much sugar, saturated fat, and salt is in the everyday food and drink consumed by families in England. The app helps families see what's in their food and drinks and gives choices of products that can help them cut down on sugar, saturated fat, and salt, including alternatives to family favourites such as biscuits, crisps, and fizzy drinks. For a food or drink to be eligible for a Good Choice badge they must comply with robust criteria covering 54 food and drink categories. Each category includes relevant nutrient cut off points based on front of pack labelling criteria for saturated fat, sugar, and salt, and takes account of the total calories and the Government’s food and drink reduction and reformation programme. A copy of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ Good Choice badge guidelines is attached. Diets high in ultra-processed foods are also high in calories, sugar, saturated fat, and salt. The app does not include levels of processing or additives when assessing the eligibility of a food or drink for a Good Choice badge. It is unclear whether ultra-processed foods are unhealthy due to processing or because a large majority of processed foods are high in sugar, calories, saturated fat, and/or salt, and are low in fibre. All additives used in the United Kingdom undergo a rigorous safety assessment before they can be used in food and drink. The app is undergoing further updates to ensure it also contains information for consumers on artificial sweeteners, and links to further advice and support on healthy eating for families is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/ Data collected from the NHS Food Scanner app is not shared with third parties.

Whether data collected from the NHS Food Scanner app is shared with third parties.

The primary function of the NHS Food Scanner app is to show how much sugar, saturated fat, and salt is in the everyday food and drink consumed by families in England. The app helps families see what's in their food and drinks and gives choices of products that can help them cut down on sugar, saturated fat, and salt, including alternatives to family favourites such as biscuits, crisps, and fizzy drinks. For a food or drink to be eligible for a Good Choice badge they must comply with robust criteria covering 54 food and drink categories. Each category includes relevant nutrient cut off points based on front of pack labelling criteria for saturated fat, sugar, and salt, and takes account of the total calories and the Government’s food and drink reduction and reformation programme. A copy of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ Good Choice badge guidelines is attached. Diets high in ultra-processed foods are also high in calories, sugar, saturated fat, and salt. The app does not include levels of processing or additives when assessing the eligibility of a food or drink for a Good Choice badge. It is unclear whether ultra-processed foods are unhealthy due to processing or because a large majority of processed foods are high in sugar, calories, saturated fat, and/or salt, and are low in fibre. All additives used in the United Kingdom undergo a rigorous safety assessment before they can be used in food and drink. The app is undergoing further updates to ensure it also contains information for consumers on artificial sweeteners, and links to further advice and support on healthy eating for families is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/ Data collected from the NHS Food Scanner app is not shared with third parties.