Written questions by Davies.

How many lower-layer super output areas are within Telford constituency; how those areas are ranked by top (a) 1%, (b) 5% and (c) 10% in the index of multiple deprivation; and what impact that data has on the allocation of funding by his Department.

Data published on the House of Commons Library shows that there are 61 lower-layer super output areas (LSOAs) within the Telford constituency. 15 LSOA areas are ranked in the top 10% of the most deprived areas in England. The number of LSOA areas that are in the top 1% or top 5% are not reported. The data is available at the following link:https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/constituency-data-indices-of-deprivation/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 Index of Multiple Deprivation is one of the indicators used in the formula.

Whether (a) Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust and (b) Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB has improved according to his Department's matrices for performance and improvement since July 2024.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board are in receipt of national mandated support via NHS England’s Recovery Support Programme.Since July 2024, the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board have both demonstrated improvements across all areas of the requisite transition criteria, including finance, workforce, urgent and emergency care, governance, and leadership.NHS England continues to support the trust and the integrated care board in a range of areas. We are working closely with NHS England to monitor the situation.

Which (a) wards and (b) super output areas in Telford constituency are within the top (i) 10%, (ii) 5% and (iii) 1% in England for (A) life expectancy inequality, (B) health outcomes, (C) deprivation, (D) child poverty and (E) other factors used to determine health investment into (1) primary care and (2) hubs.

The current national funding formula for primary medical care, known as the Carr-Hill formula, does not use indicators such as life expectancy inequality, health outcomes, deprivation, or child poverty to determine allocations. As a result, data for the areas requested in the Telford constituency is not held centrally for these specific criteria in the context of primary medical care investment.The Carr-Hill formula instead uses demographic and practice-level characteristics, including patient age and gender, list turnover, and unavoidable costs based on geographical area, which aim to reflect expected workload for general practice services. To account for health inequalities, there is also an additional adjustment applied at the integrated care board level to recognise relative deprivation across geographies.We know that the Carr-Hill formula is considered outdated, and evidence suggests that general practices (GPs) serving in deprived parts of England receive less funding per patient when adjusted for need, compared to practices in less deprived areas. It is important that funding for core services is distributed equitably between practices across the country, which is why in the 10-Health Year Plan we have committed to reviewing the GP funding formula to ensure that resources are targeted where they are most needed.

When he expects the NHS England Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel to make a decision on GP out of hours services in the Shrewsbury and Telford and Wrekin ICB.

NHS England has communicated that the decision on general practice (GP) out-of-hours service in the Shrewsbury, Telford and Wrekin ICB will be published on 26 June 2025.GPs are independent businesses who are contracted by National Health Service commissioners to perform medical services. The GP contract ensures that a consistent provision of healthcare is provided, including out of hours services which should be available to all patients in the Shrewsbury, Telford and Wrekin area. Decisions regarding these services are made locally and independently. Practices have the option to provide out-of-hours services directly, in which case they receive payment for doing so. If a practice chooses not to offer these services, arrangements must be made to ensure that an alternative provider delivers them for that practice’s registered patients. These decisions should not affect patients’ access to care.

What plans he has for the future of the NHS England Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel; when that panel last made a decision; what the average length of its (a) decision making and (b) appeals process is; what criteria it uses to make decisions; and whether that panel will consider public procurement rules when reviewing cases.

The Patient Choice and Procurement Panel is set up by NHS England to review complaints related to patient choice and representation in relation to the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for the foreseeable future. The Panel last published a decision on 28 May 2025. Since its inception on 1 January 2024, the Panel has reviewed and published advice on 11 procurement processes. The Panel aims to publish its advice within six weeks though it can take more time to process complex cases Providers seeking a review by the panel must ensure that they submit any such requests through the appropriate channels, either for patient choice or for PSR, which are available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/how-commissioning-is-changing/nhs-provider-selection-regime/independent-patient-choice-and-procurement-panel/ The Panel has been set up to give advice under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The Panel has terms of reference which task it with offering expert advice about whether commissioners have acted consistently with the PSR regulations and published Statutory Guidance.

How many social care staff there are by gender in each (a) region and (b) nation.

The policy for health and adult social care is devolved across the United Kingdom, and the Department is responsible for adult social care in England. The following table shows the number of filled posts in adult social care, both for local authorities and the independent sector, in England, by gender and region in 2023/24:RegionFemaleMaleEast Midlands80%20%Eastern79%21%London77%23%North East81%19%North West79%21%South East78%22%South West79%21%West Midlands82%18%Yorkshire and the Humber81%19%Source: the data has been produced by Skills for Care using the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set.According to Skills for Care data for local authorities and the independent sector, at a national level, 79% of the adult social care workforce were female and 21% of the workforce were male in 2023/24.

What the (a) membership is and (b) terms of reference are of the NHS England Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel; and whether that panel will be guided by the public procurement rules on value for money.

The Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel is a non-statutory administrative arrangement established to help resolve disputes about the application of the Provider Selection Regime. The membership of the panel is publicly available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/how-commissioning-is-changing/nhs-provider-selection-regime/independent-patient-choice-and-procurement-panel/panel-members/The panel has its own terms of reference, which were agreed by NHS England, the Department, and the Cabinet Office, and which are publicly available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/terms-of-reference-the-independent-patient-choice-and-procurement-panel/Whilst the Provider Selection Regime and the panel's terms of reference do not specifically reference the public procurement rules on value for money, value for money is a central pillar of the Provider Selection Regime, with requirements for integrated care boards (ICBs) to consider the value for money of healthcare services and the procurement approach they pursue. Where relevant, the panel takes this into consideration. If the panel finds that an ICB has not acted consistently with the regulations, it advises on the proportionate steps to remedy the issue.

How much the NHS (a) has received and (b) is outstanding in charges from foreign nationals in each year that data is available.

For this answer, we have taken ‘foreign nationals’ to mean chargeable overseas visitors.The Department publishes data on the income identified from chargeable overseas visitors in England in its Annual Report and Accounts. The consolidated National Health Service provider accounts published the cash payments received in-year by the NHS from overseas visitors. NHS charges can be recovered up to six years from the date of invoice, and therefore the amount recovered in a year does not necessarily mean it was identified in the same financial year. The following table shows the income identified and cash payments received in-year between 2019 to 2024:YearIncome identified in-yearCash payments received in-year2018/19£91,000,000£35,000,0002019/20£93,000,000£39,000,0002020/21£61,000,000£21,000,0002021/22£67,000,000£25,000,0002022/23£100,000,000£32,000,0002023/24£123,000,000£42,000,000Source: The Department’s Annual Report and Accounts and Consolidated NHS provider accounts.

What discussions he has had with (a) Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust and (b) Shrewsbury and Telford ICB on (i) patient safety, (ii) waiting times, (iii) value for money and (iv) regulatory compliance and improvement since July 2024.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has had no discussions with the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust or the Shrewsbury and Telford Integrated Care Board about these issues since July 2024.The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is in segment four of the NHS Oversight Framework. This means that the trust is in receipt of national mandated support via NHS England’s Recovery Support Programme. The National Recovery Support team is working closely with the trust and region to support the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and to ensure the delivery of improvements.We are working closely with NHS England to monitor the situation.

How many extra appointments have been made available each (a) month and (b) week at the Shrewsbury and Telford hospital since July 2024.

The data is not held in the format requested. Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is missing from Secondary User Services data from July 2024 onwards because of its Electronic Patient Record digital upgrade, for which data submissions are not operational yet. The trust is working to resolve the issue.

What steps he is taking to address the Sexual Reproductive Health needs of older men through his policies.

The Government remains committed to providing good sexual and reproductive health services to everyone in England, regardless of age and gender. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning comprehensive, open access sexual and reproductive health services through the Public Health Grant (PHG). Individual local authorities decide on spending priorities based on an assessment of local need and commission the blend of services that best suit their population, including considering the distinct needs of younger and older men. In 2025/26, we are increasing funding through the ringfenced PHG to £3.858 billion. This represents a turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after almost a decade of reduced spending between 2016 and 2024. We are currently developing a new HIV Action Plan which will be published this year, with key objectives to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment for HIV across all demographics. We are working to push this commitment forward through engagement with a range of system partners and stakeholders to understand the challenges we face, including the distinct needs of younger and older men. The distinct sexual and reproductive health needs of younger men are also captured through statutory health education which is taught in all state-funded schools. The Department for Education is currently reviewing relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance, and revised guidance will be published at the earliest opportunity.

What steps he is taking ensure that heterosexual men’s (a) access to and (b) awareness of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis reach the same level as other demographics.

We are firmly committed to increasing access to, and awareness of, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for all population groups, including heterosexual men. This will be a key objective in our new HIV Action Plan which is currently being developed, and which we aim to publish this year.PrEP is funded via the Public Health Grant and delivered via local sexual health services, whilst the cost of the drug itself is funded by NHS England. In 2025/26 we are increasing funding through the ringfenced Public Health Grant to £3.858 billion. This represents a significant turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after nearly a decade of reduced spending, between 2016 and 2024. This additional funding has been provided to support local government with the pressures facing the sector, including from potential additional costs relating to HIV PrEP.

What steps he is taking to (a) identify and (b) address the distinct Sexual Reproductive Health needs of younger men.

The Government remains committed to providing good sexual and reproductive health services to everyone in England, regardless of age and gender. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning comprehensive, open access sexual and reproductive health services through the Public Health Grant (PHG). Individual local authorities decide on spending priorities based on an assessment of local need and commission the blend of services that best suit their population, including considering the distinct needs of younger and older men. In 2025/26, we are increasing funding through the ringfenced PHG to £3.858 billion. This represents a turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after almost a decade of reduced spending between 2016 and 2024. We are currently developing a new HIV Action Plan which will be published this year, with key objectives to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment for HIV across all demographics. We are working to push this commitment forward through engagement with a range of system partners and stakeholders to understand the challenges we face, including the distinct needs of younger and older men. The distinct sexual and reproductive health needs of younger men are also captured through statutory health education which is taught in all state-funded schools. The Department for Education is currently reviewing relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance, and revised guidance will be published at the earliest opportunity.

What steps he is taking to expand sexual reproductive health services for men who have sex with men beyond (a) STI and (b) HIV (i) prevention and (ii) treatment services.

The Government remains committed to providing good sexual and reproductive health services in England for everyone, including for men who have sex with men, both including and beyond sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention and treatment services. We are committed to ensuring the National Health Service is there for everyone when they need it. As such, we will work closely with NHS England and the National Advisor on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and others (LGBT+) Health, Dr Michael Brady, and cross-Government, to identify how we can make the most difference in access to healthcare, patient experience, reducing inequalities, and improving health outcomes for LGBT+ people. This will underpin the work we take forward on LGBT+ health, including sexual and reproductive health services for men who have sex with men, both including and beyond STI and HIV prevention and treatment services. In terms of STI and HIV prevention and treatment services, local authorities are responsible for commissioning comprehensive, open access sexual and reproductive health services through the Public Health Grant (PHG). Individual local authorities decide on spending priorities based on an assessment of local need and commission the blend of services that best suit their population. In 2025/26, we are increasing funding through the ringfenced PHG to £3.858 billion. This represents a turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after almost a decade of reduced spending between 2016 and 2024. From April 2025, HIV care will be commissioned by NHS integrated care boards.

What he expects the operating capacity of the A&E at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to be on its relocation from the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

The future operating capacity of local services, including accident and emergency units, is a matter for National Health Service commissioners, in this case the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board, working closely with providers and in the best interests of their populations.

What progress his Department has made on reducing waiting times for patients with (a) cancer and (b) respiratory conditions.

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, including for those suffering from cancer and respiratory conditions.We have committed to getting back to the NHS Constitutional standard, that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment. As a first step to achieving this, we will deliver an additional 2 million operations, scans, and appointments during our first year in Government, or the equivalent to 40,000 per week. We will also increase the number of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and other tests that are needed to reduce elective and cancer waits. As of August 2024, 62.5% of respiratory medicine patients are seen within this standard, compared to 60.7% in August 2023. This is compared to 58% of the total waiting list for planned procedures.

How many (a) children and (b) adults are waiting for outpatient appointments by (i) their average wait time and (ii) the appointment required in the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board.

Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need. The Government will ensure that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment within our first term, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. Outpatients make up most of the waiting list, so transforming outpatient services is a key part of the Government’s approach to cutting waiting times.The overall mean average waiting time for children waiting for an outpatient appointment in the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (ICB) is 23.3 weeks, with the median being 21.4 weeks, and the overall mean waiting time for adults waiting for an outpatient appointment is 21.2 weeks, while the median is 18.4 weeks.The number of cases where children are waiting in the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB for a first outpatient appointment is 4,471, and for a follow up outpatient appointment is 715. The number of cases where adults are waiting in the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB for a first outpatient appointment is 45,272, and for a follow up outpatient appointment is 12,500.

How many outpatients from Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin integrated care system (ICS) have been treated out of area by (a) other ICSs and (b) private providers in each year for which data is available.

The Government is committed to putting patients back at the heart of care. This includes supporting a patient’s right to choose, if they wish, where they go for their first appointment, including private providers holding contracts for National Health Services.Information on the number of individual patients who have been treated out of area in the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) is not held centrally. However, information on the number of outpatient appointments taking place outside of the ICS is available, although it should be noted that a patient may have had more than one outpatient appointment. The following table shows the combined outpatient activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector, and the number and percentage of appointments made outside of the ICS, for each of the last three years:YearTotal appointmentsNumber of appointments outside of the ICSPercentage of appointments outside of the ICS2021/22864,870138,71516%2022/23958,190171,50517.9%2023/241,027,375178,59017.4%Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS England.

Whether he plans to continue the provision of the Children's Hospice Grant into 2025/26.

In 2024/2025, NHS England provided £25 million in funding for children and young people’s hospices. This funding was distributed, for the first time, via integrated care boards, in line with National Health Service devolution.I recently met NHS England, Together for Short Lives, and one of the chairs of the Children Who Need Palliative Care All Party Parliamentary Group to discuss children’s palliative and end of life care, and this funding stream was discussed at length at that meeting. NHS England is currently considering the future of this important funding stream beyond 2024/25.

What steps his Department is taking to improve screening for prostate cancer.

Screening for prostate cancer is currently not recommended by the UK National Screening Committees (UK NSC). This is because of the inaccuracy of the current best test, the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). A PSA-based screening programme could harm men, as some of them would be diagnosed with a cancer that would not have caused them problems during their life. This would lead to additional tests and treatments which can also have harmful side effects; for example, incontinence of faeces and urine and impotence.The UK NSC is undertaking an evidence review for prostate cancer screening and plans to report within the UK NSC’s three-year work plan.The evidence review includes modelling the clinical cost effectiveness of several approaches to prostate cancer screening; this includes different potential ways of screening the whole population from 40 years of age onwards and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher-than-average risk, such as black men or men with a family history of cancer.