Written questions by Adam.

What steps his department is taking to ensure community pharmacies are involved in formal policy discussions affecting the pharmacy sector.

The Government recognises that pharmacies are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, as an easily accessible ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals.Following consultation with Community Pharmacy England, as the representative of the community pharmacy sector, funding for the core community pharmacy contractual framework in 2025/26 was increased to £3.1 billion.  This represented the largest uplift in funding of any part of the NHS at the time, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26.The Department will consult Community Pharmacy England on any proposed changes to reimbursement and remuneration of pharmacy contractors for 2026/27 shortly.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Board of Peace on Palestinian self determination and statehood.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on this issue at departmental oral questions on 20 January.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the government of Israel on its approval of the E1 settlement plan in occupied East Jerusalem.

Tackling illegal settlement expansion and settler violence are vital to protecting a two-state solution.Israel must stop settlement expansion and crack down on settler violence, which has reached record levels.Alongside 26 international partners, we have condemned the E1 settlement plan and we condemn the recent steps to further that plan. We urge Israel to listen to the weight of international opinion on this issue, rather than lessen the prospects for long-term peace.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that people at risk of disease-related malnutrition are identified early through screening tools in primary and community care.

Disease-related malnutrition is a clinical condition affecting all ages across the community and in all health and care settings. Diagnosis and detection are key, and health staff are trained to spot the early warning signs of malnutrition so effective individual treatment can be put in place.All National Health Services are recommended to adhere to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines CG3, titled Nutrition support for adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition, and Quality Standard QS24 which sets out clear requirements for nutritional screening and support across all care settings.Under these guidelines, all hospital inpatients are screened for malnutrition risk on admission and regularly thereafter. In primary and community care, people are screened when registering at general practice surgeries and when there is clinical concern, and care home residents are screened on admission and when there is a clinical concern. It is also recommended that screening should be considered at other opportunities, for example health checks and flu injections. Screening is undertaken using validated tools such as the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Healthcare professionals receive training in identifying and managing malnutrition, and individualised care plans are developed for those identified as at risk.The Department recognises the significant impact of disease-related malnutrition on health outcomes and healthcare costs. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan places a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention. It supports the expansion of community-based services, including neighbourhood health centres, which will provide nutrition advice, weight management support, and will address the wider determinants of health. These measures aim to shift care closer to home and reduce reliance on hospital-based services.We have launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme in 43 places across England to improve the care they provide to their communities. Further information on the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme is available at the following link:https://neighbourhood-health.co.uk/

What steps his Department is taking to update NHS England’s Guidance - Commissioning Excellent Nutrition and Hydration 2015-2018, including consultation that has taken place with stakeholders working in the field of nutrition and malnutrition.

NHS England has undertaken a comprehensive review and refresh of the Commissioning Excellent Nutrition and Hydration 2015–2018 guidance to ensure that it reflects current evidence base, national food standards, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, regulatory requirements, evidence based best practice, current research, and system structures.This work was overseen by a National Nutrition and Hydration Advisory Board representative of key stakeholders and relevant experts.This work included an in-depth engagement phase with patient groups, patient representatives, National Health Service and social care organisations, professional networks, voluntary and community sector organisations, other key organisations, and researchers to share work on the policy development to date and to seek their views. Feedback received from the engagement phase was analysed, themes and key findings shared with the National Hydration and Nutrition Advisory Board members, and where relevant and appropriate, incorporated into the final version of the policy.The National Hydration and Nutrition Advisory Board reviewed and endorsed the updated policy at their November 2025 meeting. It will be published in due course.

When his Department expects to publish new national hydration and nutrition guidance, further to the review conducted by NHS England’s Nursing Directorate; and if he will publish the findings of that review.

NHS England has undertaken a comprehensive review and refresh of the Commissioning Excellent Nutrition and Hydration 2015–2018 guidance to ensure that it reflects current evidence base, national food standards, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, regulatory requirements, evidence based best practice, current research, and system structures.This work was overseen by a National Nutrition and Hydration Advisory Board representative of key stakeholders and relevant experts.This work included an in-depth engagement phase with patient groups, patient representatives, National Health Service and social care organisations, professional networks, voluntary and community sector organisations, other key organisations, and researchers to share work on the policy development to date and to seek their views. Feedback received from the engagement phase was analysed, themes and key findings shared with the National Hydration and Nutrition Advisory Board members, and where relevant and appropriate, incorporated into the final version of the policy.The National Hydration and Nutrition Advisory Board reviewed and endorsed the updated policy at their November 2025 meeting. It will be published in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure people at risk of disease-related malnutrition are supported through the (a) implementation of the 10 Year Health Plan and (b) provision of neighbourhood health services.

Disease-related malnutrition is a clinical condition affecting all ages across the community and in all health and care settings. Diagnosis and detection are key, and health staff are trained to spot the early warning signs of malnutrition so effective individual treatment can be put in place.All National Health Services are recommended to adhere to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines CG3, titled Nutrition support for adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition, and Quality Standard QS24 which sets out clear requirements for nutritional screening and support across all care settings.Under these guidelines, all hospital inpatients are screened for malnutrition risk on admission and regularly thereafter. In primary and community care, people are screened when registering at general practice surgeries and when there is clinical concern, and care home residents are screened on admission and when there is a clinical concern. It is also recommended that screening should be considered at other opportunities, for example health checks and flu injections. Screening is undertaken using validated tools such as the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Healthcare professionals receive training in identifying and managing malnutrition, and individualised care plans are developed for those identified as at risk.The Department recognises the significant impact of disease-related malnutrition on health outcomes and healthcare costs. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan places a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention. It supports the expansion of community-based services, including neighbourhood health centres, which will provide nutrition advice, weight management support, and will address the wider determinants of health. These measures aim to shift care closer to home and reduce reliance on hospital-based services.We have launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme in 43 places across England to improve the care they provide to their communities. Further information on the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme is available at the following link:https://neighbourhood-health.co.uk/

What steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable regional access to malnutrition screening and support for disease-related malnutrition.

Disease-related malnutrition is a clinical condition affecting all ages across the community and in all health and care settings. Diagnosis and detection are key, and health staff are trained to spot the early warning signs of malnutrition so effective individual treatment can be put in place.All National Health Services are recommended to adhere to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines CG3, titled Nutrition support for adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition, and Quality Standard QS24 which sets out clear requirements for nutritional screening and support across all care settings.Under these guidelines, all hospital inpatients are screened for malnutrition risk on admission and regularly thereafter. In primary and community care, people are screened when registering at general practice surgeries and when there is clinical concern, and care home residents are screened on admission and when there is a clinical concern. It is also recommended that screening should be considered at other opportunities, for example health checks and flu injections. Screening is undertaken using validated tools such as the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Healthcare professionals receive training in identifying and managing malnutrition, and individualised care plans are developed for those identified as at risk.The Department recognises the significant impact of disease-related malnutrition on health outcomes and healthcare costs. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan places a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention. It supports the expansion of community-based services, including neighbourhood health centres, which will provide nutrition advice, weight management support, and will address the wider determinants of health. These measures aim to shift care closer to home and reduce reliance on hospital-based services.We have launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme in 43 places across England to improve the care they provide to their communities. Further information on the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme is available at the following link:https://neighbourhood-health.co.uk/

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of a national clinical lead for disease related malnutrition within his Department.

NHS England has produced nutrition and hydration guidance for commissioners, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/nut-hyd-guid.pdfThere are also national organisations which provide guidance, promote best practice, and raise awareness of malnutrition for those working in across the National Health Service and social care.For these reasons, no assessment has been made specifically of the potential merits of a national clinical lead for disease-related malnutrition.

Communities and Local Government, when his Department will publish the findings from the independent review into civil unrest in Leicester in 2022, commissioned in 2023.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87636.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason the independent review into civil unrest in Leicester in 2022 has not yet been published.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87636.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 92292, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement for pre-visit notifications on the uptake of free eye health screening on people experiencing long term homelessness.

No such assessment has been made. Individuals experiencing homelessness can access NHS sight tests from high street optical practices. NHS England have made it clear to local commissioning teams that a patient without a fixed address should not be prevented from accessing high street NHS sight testing services.

What steps he is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards provide equal levels of funding for children's hospices.

The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework for England. I refer the Hon. Member for Leicester South and the Rt. Hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1087 I gave to the House on 24 November 2025.We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We are providing £80 million for children’s and young people’s hospices over the next three financial years, giving them stability to plan ahead and focus on what matters most, caring for their patients.

What assessment his department has made of the potential impact of the requirement for a pre-visit notification on access to eye care for a) people experiencing homelessness and b) care home residents.

National Health Service funded domiciliary, mobile, sight tests are available for patients who are eligible for free NHS sight tests, and who would have difficulties accessing care through the high-street due to physical or mental illness, or disability, or who would have difficulties communicating their health needs unaided. As well as services being provided in residential homes, these services can also be provided in day centres.In order to ensure people experiencing homelessness can access NHS sight tests on the high street, NHS England issued a clarification via local commissioning teams to ensure that having no fixed abode should not prevent access to NHS care. Integrated care boards can also commission enhanced eye care services, where they feel these are needed to meet local needs.

Whether he intends to remove the requirement for a pre-visit notification (PVN) for eye care assessments for people experiencing homelessness.

National Health Service funded domiciliary, mobile, sight tests are available for patients who are eligible for free NHS sight tests, and who would have difficulties accessing care through the high-street due to physical or mental illness, or disability, or who would have difficulties communicating their health needs unaided. As well as services being provided in residential homes, these services can also be provided in day centres.In order to ensure people experiencing homelessness can access NHS sight tests on the high street, NHS England issued a clarification via local commissioning teams to ensure that having no fixed abode should not prevent access to NHS care. Integrated care boards can also commission enhanced eye care services, where they feel these are needed to meet local needs.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) trabecular bypass procedures and (b) other minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries on preventing glaucoma progression.

No such assessment has been made.The best treatment options for any individual patient will be decided by the treating clinician in discussion with the patient, taking into account relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.NICE guidance on trabecular stent bypass microsurgery for open-angle glaucoma sets out that trabecular bypass surgery can be combined with a cataract operation and has shown its ability to reduce intraocular pressure.

What steps his Department is taking through the NHS 10 Year Health Plan to improve glaucoma care.

The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts our National Health Service needs to be fit for the future, from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to preventing and managing conditions such as glaucoma. More tests and scans delivered in the community and better joint working between services will support the management of conditions, including glaucoma, closer to home.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) trabecular bypass procedures at the time of cataract surgery and (b) other minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries in delaying glaucoma progression.

No such assessment has been made.The best treatment options for any individual patient will be decided by the treating clinician in discussion with the patient, taking into account relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.NICE guidance on trabecular stent bypass microsurgery for open-angle glaucoma sets out that trabecular bypass surgery can be combined with a cataract operation and has shown its ability to reduce intraocular pressure.

What steps his Department is taking to support the use of medical technologies to prevent sight loss.

As outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, we want patients to have fast and safe access to the most innovative technology, wherever they live in the country. Improving the adoption and procurement of medical technology will help the National Health Service secure the best outcomes for patients, including patients with sight threatening conditions, whilst also delivering greater value-for-money for the NHS.The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research, including on eye care, through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for evaluating new medicines, medical devices, and other technologies to determine their clinical and cost-effectiveness before recommending them for NHS use.Where a NICE technology appraisal recommends a medicine or treatment, the NHS is legally required to fund them. Where NICE guidance is not available on a particular medical technology, we would expect commissioners to take funding decisions on the basis of the available evidence of the clinical benefits.

What steps his Department is taking to improve patient access to innovative medical technologies designed to prevent glaucoma.

As outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, we want patients to have fast and safe access to the most innovative technology, wherever they live in the country. Improving the adoption and procurement of medical technology will help the National Health Service secure the best outcomes for patients, including patients with sight threatening conditions, whilst also delivering greater value-for-money for the NHS.The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research, including on eye care, through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for evaluating new medicines, medical devices, and other technologies to determine their clinical and cost-effectiveness before recommending them for NHS use.Where a NICE technology appraisal recommends a medicine or treatment, the NHS is legally required to fund them. Where NICE guidance is not available on a particular medical technology, we would expect commissioners to take funding decisions on the basis of the available evidence of the clinical benefits.