Written questions by Hodgson.

How his Department plans to ensure that the NHS Genomic Medicine Service’s pipeline of whole genome sequencing for cancer patients is unconstrained by local tissue storage practices; and whether there is a target date for ensuring consistent access across all NHS regions.

As part of the evolving NHS Genomic Medicine Service infrastructure, a new delivery model will be in place from April 2026 to deliver the genomics commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan, the National Cancer Plan, and other national strategies.Currently, there is variable access to freezers for fresh frozen tissue in the NHS with the associated complexity of cold chain transport. Providing adequate freezer storage for fresh frozen tissue is necessary to ensure that there is equitable regional access to whole genome sequencing (WGS) testing.In efforts to address this variability NHS England has produced national sample handling guidance to support approaches to the handling of fresh tissue and more recently the use of tissue stabilisers has been introduced to provide an alternative to frozen tissue and still meet the requirements for WGS. NHS England is also currently working with the British Neuro-Oncology Society to map where freezer storage facilities for fresh frozen tissue are required.Fresh tissue pathways are dependent on system engagement and work is ongoing between the NHS Genomics, Cancer, and Pathology programmes to develop and optimise these pathways and ensure that all appropriate cancer patients, including brain and central nervous system and rare cancers, get the optimal genomic testing for their tumour type.A number of NHS Genomic Networks of Excellence are also developing the evidence for developing fresh tissue pathways for WGS.

What progress his Department has made on developing national guidance for Auditory Verbal therapy for deaf children since March 2025; and whether he plans to establish a timeline for publishing that guidance.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of services to meet the needs of their local populations, including services for non-hearing children. NHS England supports ICBs to make informed decisions about the provision of audiology services so that they can provide consistent, high quality, and integrated care. Auditory verbal therapy (AVT) is one type of therapy to support children with hearing loss, and it is important that local commissioners have the discretion to decide how best to meet the needs of their local population, informed by the best available evidence and guidance. Based on consideration of the current evidence on AVT for deaf children, NHS England has no plans to develop such national guidance. In November 2025, NHS England appointed two national specialty advisers for hearing and associated conditions who are considering care pathway improvements for hearing services. The national speciality advisors are committed to meeting with the charity Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) to discuss AVT, with a meeting scheduled. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s prioritisation board considered childhood hearing loss as a potential guideline topic in August 2024, but concluded that there is limited evidence available in this area and that the 2015 NHS England Action Plan on Hearing Loss and guidance issued in 2019 addresses care for this population, and it is understood that AVUK are in the process of developing the evidence base for the intervention. The NHS England Action Plan on Hearing Loss is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/act-plan-hearing-loss-upd.pdf

What recent progress he has made in meeting the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard in Washington and Gateshead South constituency.

The Washington and Gateshead South constituency is served by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). Performance against the 18-week Referral to Treatment standard for this ICB has improved from 68.9% to 70.5% since the Government came to office, and the waiting list has dropped by 11,854.The Elective Reform Plan, which was published in January 2025, sets out the productivity and modernisation efforts needed to reach the 92% standard by March 2029, which improve patient care in the Washington and Gateshead South constituency and across England. We have set a national ambition that by March 2026, 65% of patients will wait no longer than 18 weeks, with every trust expected to deliver a minimum 5% improvement on current performance over that period. We are making progress in several areas including demand management, validation of waiting lists, diagnostics reform, including straight to test pathways, and clinically-led pathway reform in priority specialties.

If he will provide redress for mesh and sodium valproate families.

The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report. I will also be meeting the Patient Safety Commissioner in due course.

If he will set out the legal status of the sale of tan- enhancing nasal products containing Melanotan II for cosmetic purposes.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is required to determine whether products are medicines on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the definition of a medicine in The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, relevant case law, and any other evidence.There are many products which modify physiological function but which are not medicinal products, and case law has established that products that do so while having no beneficial effects on human health cannot be medicines.Melanotan II injections and pens are considered medicinal products due to their similarity to an authorised medicinal product and potential application to other medical conditions.However, tan-enhancing nasal products, which are clearly marketed for self-tanning purposes and which do not have a medical purpose, do not fall under medicines regulations and therefore are not within the MHRA’s remit.

To set out (a) where responsibility sits for action to prevent the availability of tan- enhancing products containing Melanotan II and (b) the steps that have been taken to prevent the availability of tan-enhancing products that are illegal.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for the regulation of medicinal products and medical devices in the United Kingdom.Although tanning is not considered to be a medical purpose, injectable products containing Melanotan 1 or Melanotan 2 have been determined as medicinal products due to their similarity to the authorised medicine Scenesse.In relation to nasal sprays containing Melanotan 1 or 2, there are no equivalent authorised medicines and in the absence of medicinal claims, they are not regarded as medicinal products.Medicinal products must hold a relevant Marketing Authorisation to be legally sold and supplied in the UK. This also guarantees that the medicines have been tested for conformity with strict standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.The MHRA takes action when a medicinal product without appropriate authorisations is identified.

Whether the (a) availability and (b) levels of use of tan-enhancing products containing Melanotan II is being considered in the development of the forthcoming cancer plan.

The Government is taking steps to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancers more quickly, including skin cancers. The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. It will set out how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including by speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates. We will publish the National Cancer Plan in the new year to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next 10 years.We received over 11,000 responses to our call for evidence from individuals, professionals, and organisations, and we are reviewing the submissions from skin cancer partners. While no formal assessment has been made of the availability and levels of use of tan-enhancing products containing Melanotan II, respondents shared concerns about tanning products and their potential links to cancer, particularly melanoma. Our expansive engagement will allow the National Cancer Plan to have patients at its heart.The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for the regulation of medicinal products and medical devices in the United Kingdom. Although tanning is not considered to be a medical purpose, injectable products containing Melanotan I or Melanotan II have been determined as medicinal products due to their similarity to the authorised medicine Scenesse.In relation to nasal sprays containing Melanotan I or Melanotan II, there are no equivalent authorised medicines and in the absence of medicinal claims, they are not regarded as medicinal products.Medicinal products must hold a relevant Marketing Authorisation to be legally sold and supplied in the UK. This also guarantees that the medicines have been tested for conformity with strict standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.The MHRA takes action when a medicinal product without appropriate authorisations is identified.

How much funding his Department has allocated for prospective studies into anti-seizure medications other than Sodium Valproate in pregnancy since 2018.

Between 2020 and 2024 the Department, through its research delivery arm the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), has invested approximately £5.34 million through direct awards to research into anti-seizure or anti-epilepsy medication in pregnancy. This figure reflects the total budget for research awards that were active during this period. The most recent funding in this area was £2.68 million to a research award which commenced in June 2023. Since 2018, the NIHR has invested approximately £5.33 million through direct awards to prospective research studies into anti-seizure medications other than sodium valproate. This figure reflects the total budget for research awards that were active during this period. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has not received specific funding for research in this area from the Department. The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of maternal health, including anti-seizure medications in pregnancy.

How much funding his Department has allocated for research of anti-seizure medications in pregnancy (a) in total and (b) to the MHRA since 2020.

Between 2020 and 2024 the Department, through its research delivery arm the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), has invested approximately £5.34 million through direct awards to research into anti-seizure or anti-epilepsy medication in pregnancy. This figure reflects the total budget for research awards that were active during this period. The most recent funding in this area was £2.68 million to a research award which commenced in June 2023. Since 2018, the NIHR has invested approximately £5.33 million through direct awards to prospective research studies into anti-seizure medications other than sodium valproate. This figure reflects the total budget for research awards that were active during this period. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has not received specific funding for research in this area from the Department. The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of maternal health, including anti-seizure medications in pregnancy.

When research funding was last given for anti-seizure medications in pregnancy.

Between 2020 and 2024 the Department, through its research delivery arm the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), has invested approximately £5.34 million through direct awards to research into anti-seizure or anti-epilepsy medication in pregnancy. This figure reflects the total budget for research awards that were active during this period. The most recent funding in this area was £2.68 million to a research award which commenced in June 2023. Since 2018, the NIHR has invested approximately £5.33 million through direct awards to prospective research studies into anti-seizure medications other than sodium valproate. This figure reflects the total budget for research awards that were active during this period. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has not received specific funding for research in this area from the Department. The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of maternal health, including anti-seizure medications in pregnancy.

What discussions he has had with NHS trusts on providing meals for parents when their child is in hospital overnight.

NHS England is currently working with the National Health Service to pilot providing meals for parents when their child is in hospital overnight through work being implemented to recognise the wishes of Sophie Fairall and the charity established posthumously in her name, Sophie’s Legacy. This work aims to improve hospital experiences for children and their parents, including ensuring parents and carers have access to food and drink while staying with their children in hospital.

Whether his Department plans to make the provision of women's health hubs by ICBs mandatory.

A target on women’s health hubs was not needed in this year’s planning guidance because the target was met. We have moved away from central targets through the planning guidance and are supporting integrated care boards (ICBs) to continue improving their delivery of women’s health hubs. This is in line with their responsibility to decide which services they want to commission in order to meet the needs of their local populations and will therefore not be mandated. We have heard from ICBs on the positive impacts that women’s health hubs have on both women's access to care in the community and their experiences. The Government is committed to encouraging ICBs to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hub pilots to improve local delivery of services to women and girls.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities, to identify and address problems earlier and closer to home. Women’s health hubs are an example of this approach and can play a key role in delivering the Government’s commitments on tackling long National Health Service waiting lists, as well as shifting care into the community.

For what reason the target to include a women's health hub within every ICB area is not included in the document by NHS England entitled 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, last updated on 22 August 2025.

A target on women’s health hubs was not needed in this year’s planning guidance because the target was met. We have moved away from central targets through the planning guidance and are supporting integrated care boards (ICBs) to continue improving their delivery of women’s health hubs. This is in line with their responsibility to decide which services they want to commission in order to meet the needs of their local populations and will therefore not be mandated. We have heard from ICBs on the positive impacts that women’s health hubs have on both women's access to care in the community and their experiences. The Government is committed to encouraging ICBs to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hub pilots to improve local delivery of services to women and girls.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities, to identify and address problems earlier and closer to home. Women’s health hubs are an example of this approach and can play a key role in delivering the Government’s commitments on tackling long National Health Service waiting lists, as well as shifting care into the community.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the removal of the mandatory target for the provision of women's health hubs in each ICB area in the 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, last updated on 22 August 2025, on the availability of (a) conservative treatment and (b) pelvic floor physiotherapy for (i) stress incontinence and (ii) prolapse for women.

A target on women’s health hubs was not needed in this year’s planning guidance because the target was met. We have moved away from central targets through the planning guidance and are supporting integrated care boards (ICBs) to continue improving their delivery of women’s health hubs. This is in line with their responsibility to decide which services they want to commission in order to meet the needs of their local populations and will therefore not be mandated. We have heard from ICBs on the positive impacts that women’s health hubs have on both women's access to care in the community and their experiences. The Government is committed to encouraging ICBs to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hub pilots to improve local delivery of services to women and girls.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities, to identify and address problems earlier and closer to home. Women’s health hubs are an example of this approach and can play a key role in delivering the Government’s commitments on tackling long National Health Service waiting lists, as well as shifting care into the community.

In which year the NHS created a Hospital Episode Statistic Code for rectopexy mesh.

The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are a curated data product containing details about admissions, outpatient appointments and historical accident and emergency attendances at National Health Service hospitals in England. This includes data on rectopexy procedures.Since 1 April 2020, rectopexy mesh procedures can be identified in the HES data product through a combination of codes. There are two codes that relate to rectopexy procedures, but will not specifically be limited to rectopexy using mesh:H35.2 Posterior fixation of rectum using prosthetic material – introduced pre-2006H35.5 Anterior fixation of rectum using prosthetic material – implemented for use 1 April 2020There are four codes that specifically classify where mesh has been used in a procedure and should be used in addition to the above codes, which have been mandates since 1 April 2020. The combination of these two codes allows for the identification of where a rectopexy procedure has used mesh:Y28.1 Insertion of synthetic mesh into organ not otherwise classifiable (NOC)Y28.2 Insertion of biological mesh into organ NOCY28.3 Insertion of composite mesh into organ NOCY28.4 Insertion of mesh into organ NOC

Whether his Department has had discussions with industry stakeholders on the pricing strategies of (a) alcohol-free drinks and (b) alcoholic beverages.

In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption through exploring options to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol intake by substituting standard strength drinks with no- and low-alcohol alternatives. One of the first steps will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, aligning with international standards, to support the growth of the sector and provide clarity to consumers and producers.At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.Manufacturers, retailers, and industry stakeholders have a key role to play in working with the Government to improve the health of the nation. Ministers and officials regularly engage with these groups when developing policy.

If he will hold discussions with (a) manufacturers and (b) retailers on improving the affordability of alcohol-free alternatives.

In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption through exploring options to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol intake by substituting standard strength drinks with no- and low-alcohol alternatives. One of the first steps will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, aligning with international standards, to support the growth of the sector and provide clarity to consumers and producers.At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.Manufacturers, retailers, and industry stakeholders have a key role to play in working with the Government to improve the health of the nation. Ministers and officials regularly engage with these groups when developing policy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 August 2025 to Question 65738 on Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder, if he will make interim payments to valproate families following the end of the pilot project.

The NHS England-commissioned Fetal Exposure to Medicine Pilot project covers assessment, expert advice, and treatment planning for people impacted by sodium valproate and other anti-seizure medications.On the question of interim payments to valproate families, the Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, including a recommendation for a two-stage financial redress scheme, comprising of an interim scheme and a main scheme.This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments, including the Cabinet Office. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report.

If there is a Hospital Episode Statistics code used to record instances of mesh used for rectopexy.

The latest National Clinical Coding Standards, code OPCS-4 2025, which are used in the Hospital Episode Statistics dataset to capture procedure information, includes four codes for use where a procedure concerns the insertion or removal of a mesh. These should be combined with other treatment codes to indicate where a mesh was used for a procedure, including for rectopexy procedures. The following table shows the relevant procedures and their coding:ProcedureProcedure codeRectopexy, abdominal posterior resectionWithout meshH35.3 H10.- (if the sigmoid is resected)With meshH35.2 Y28.1-Y28.4 H10.- (if the sigmoid is resected)Rectopexy, ventral mesh, which may also be described as anteior rectopexy with mesh or VMROpenH35.5 Y28.1-Y28.4LaparoscopicH35.5 Y75.- Y28.1-Y28.4

What the outcome was of the MHRA rectopexy review.

At the end of 2024, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) completed its’ first stage review into the use of mesh in rectopexy procedures, which involved a comprehensive review of the mesh products available in Great Britian’s market, and a patient survey which was conducted in October 2024. As part of the review, the agency conducted a thorough evaluation of manufacturer data, including assessing what products are indicated for rectopexy or may be used for this purpose. Evaluation of the literature was undertaken to understand the range of mesh products used for rectopexy procedures, and this noted that the range of mesh used in patients were wider than those ‘indicated’ by manufacturers.The survey identified that a small majority of patients experienced worsening symptoms after their rectopexy procedure, usually within the first-year post-surgery. The survey also indicated that there was relatively low awareness of the Yellow Card adverse incident reporting scheme among responders.In December 2024 the MHRA presented a series of recommendations to the Interim Devices Work Group (IDWG) to address the issues identified in the review. These recommendations were endorsed by the group as documented in the meeting minutes, which are available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/683042a2c054883884bff48e/IDWG_Summary_Minutes_10th_December_2024.pdfThe MHRA is currently working to implement the recommendations agreed by the IDWG. These recommendations include, for example, exploring what broader work can be conducted across the regulatory and healthcare environment and with manufacturers to address the off-label use of mesh products and the associated risks to patient safety. This project will also involve engagement with patient and healthcare stakeholder groups to bring about greater awareness of the issues. The MHRA expects the engagement to begin in spring 2026. There is also work currently ongoing in parallel, which will aid in addressing the recommendations. This includes the application of the new Post-market Surveillance Regulations for medical devices placed in Great Britian’s market, which came into force on the 16 June 2025 and enhances both the manufacturers' and the MHRA’s capacity to detect and monitor safety issues.The MHRA continues to work with colleagues from across the health sector and international regulators, to monitor and examine evidence as it becomes available. The MHRA is committed to helping address the serious concerns raised by patients who have experienced complications and will take further action as appropriate to protect public health.