Written questions by Opher.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that cancer screening programmes recommended by the National Screening Committee are (a) funded and (b) available to patients as quickly as possible.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) Secretariat works closely with NHS England. This means NHS England is aware of conditions that the committee is considering for a screening programme. The costs and workforce requirements of potential screening programmes are considered when setting budgets so that when a positive recommendation is made by the UK NSC and accepted by Ministers, the National Health Service can begin work on implementing the screening programme.The roll out of a screening programme needs to be done systematically and at a pace that the NHS’s capacity can cope with to ensure safety for those members of the public who accept the screening offer.

What steps he is taking to deliver early diagnosis services for osteoporosis.

On 6 January 2025, NHS England published a new Elective Reform Plan, which sets out a whole system approach to achieving the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament. The plan includes funding to boost bone density (DEXA) scanning capacity, support improvements in early diagnosis, and support improvements in bone health for conditions such as osteoporosis. We are investing in 14 high-tech DEXA scanners which are expected to provide 29,000 extra scans per year.As announced in the Get Britain Working White Paper, the Department of Health and Social Care is delivering a joint programme with NHS England and the Department for Work and Pensions called the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal Community Delivery Programme. With a £3.5 million funding boost, the GIRFT will deploy a Further Faster model with integrated care boards (ICBs) to reduce musculoskeletal community waiting times, including for those with osteoporosis.ICBs are responsible for commissioning services that meet the needs of their population, including for osteoporosis. The Government expects ICBs to take account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines and other best practice in designing their local services.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the average response time for the NHS 111 service.

The Government is committed to continuing to improve NHS 111 to ensure that patients can access the right care the first time, only visiting accident and emergency services when necessary. This includes through growing the clinical workforce, making urgent mental health support universally available, and expanding and promoting NHS 111 online.The latest National Health Service published data showed that in December 2024, 77.4% of NHS 111 calls were answered within 60 seconds, which compares to 60% in December 2023. However, we know there is more to do. We will shortly set out further actions to support improvements to urgent and emergency care services during 2025/26.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the NHS 111 service is accessible to elderly patients.

NHS 111 is designed to be widely accessible and used by as many people as possible, including elderly patients. Patients can get help from NHS 111 by calling 111 for free from a landline or mobile phone, as well as in the NHS App and by using 111 online. More information about these is available at the following links:https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/about-the-nhs-app/https://111.nhs.uk/Further information on alternative access to NHS 111 is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/urgent-emergency-care/nhs-111/accessing-nhs-111/The NHS 111 online accessibility statement is available at the following link:https://111.nhs.uk/Help/Accessibility

What steps he is taking to increase the number of entry level nursing roles.

Decisions about recruitment, including for entry level nursing roles, are matters for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care. We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS and will refresh the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan next summer to ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it, and working with partners, we are committed to recruiting the staff we need to get patients seen on time.

What information his Department holds on the average body mass index of pregnant women in the (a) most recent period for which data is available and (b) five years before the most recent period for which data is available.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all women and babies receive safe, personalised, equitable and compassionate maternity and neonatal care. As part of this, we know that it is vital to support women before, during and after pregnancy.In the most recent period for which data is available, of women who reached 15 weeks gestation in October 2024 and had a body mass index (BMI) recorded by 14+1 weeks gestation, 7% were underweight (<20 kg/m2), 35% were normal weight (20-24.9 kg/m2), 30% were overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2) and 27% were obese (30+ kg/m2).BMI data for pregnant women is not available for five years before October 2024, namely October 2019, but data was published using the previous methodology for 2018/19. Of women who had a booking appointment in 2018/19 where BMI was recorded, 3% were underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), 46% were normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), 28% were overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2) and 22% were obese (30+ kg/m2).There have been changes in methodology and definitions used in data collection between 2018/2019 and October 2024, which means that the data, especially for underweight women, may not be directly comparable.

What recent discussions he has had with the health mission delivery board on the prevention of ill health.

Mission Boards are Cabinet Committees. It is a long-established precedent that information about the proceedings of the Cabinet, or of any committee of the Cabinet, is not normally shared publicly, and this includes mission boards.The Health Mission, which the Department leads, is focused on shifting towards a more preventative approach to healthcare.

Whether the Health Mission Delivery Board has appointed external experts.

We have established a cross-Government Health Mission Delivery Board to take forward work on the health mission. The core membership of the board is made up of key ministers including my Rt. Hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care as Chair and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as the Deputy Chair. Other attendees, including external partners, are invited according to the agenda. Outside of the Mission Board, the Department is engaging with wider partners from across civil society, business and local government on the health mission, including through our engagement on the 10-Year Health Plan.

When the Health Mission Delivery Board will next meet.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care chairs a cross-Government Health Mission Board to oversee and drive delivery of the Health Mission. The current membership of the Health Mission Board includes the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as the Deputy Chair. Other ministers will be invited to meetings according to the agenda.Mission Boards are Cabinet Committees. It is a long-established precedent that information about the proceedings of the Cabinet, or of any committee of the Cabinet, is not normally shared publicly, and this includes mission boards.

When the Health Mission Delivery Board last met.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care chairs a cross-Government Health Mission Board to oversee and drive delivery of the Health Mission. The current membership of the Health Mission Board includes the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as the Deputy Chair. Other ministers will be invited to meetings according to the agenda.Mission Boards are Cabinet Committees. It is a long-established precedent that information about the proceedings of the Cabinet, or of any committee of the Cabinet, is not normally shared publicly, and this includes mission boards.

When he plans to publish the five-point prevention plan.

The Government is committed to tackling the United Kingdom’s biggest killers and building a fairer UK, where everyone lives longer, healthier lives. This is why our Health Mission aims to shift away from a model geared towards late diagnosis and treatment, to one where there is focus on prevention, and more services are delivered in local communities. Our core objective is to shorten the amount of time spent in ill-health and prevent premature deaths, and we are committed to this. We have already taken action, with the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill passing the committee stage on 30 January. We are committed to banning junk food advertising to children. A 9:00pm television watershed and 24-hour online ban on paid-for advertising of less healthy food and drink products targeting children are on track to come into force across the UK on 1 October 2025. We have also committed to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16-year-olds. Alongside this, we are exploring all interventions that will improve public health across a range of the UK’s biggest killers and help deliver the shift from treatment to prevention. Further details on our approach will be shared as we move forward.

Whether he has plans to increase the funding available for research into children cancers.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.5 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24. Cancer is a major area of NIHR spend, reflecting its high priority.Research is a vital part of improving diagnosis and treatment for children and young people with cancer. The NIHR spent approximately £9.9 million over the last five financial years, from 2019/20 to 2023/24, on directly funded research to improve outcomes for children and young people with cancer.The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health, including childhood cancer. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients, and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.On 4 February 2024 my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce will be relaunched in 2025, alongside the national cancer plan, to identify ways to improve outcomes and patient experience for children and young people with cancer. Dame Caroline Dinenage and Professor Darren Hargrave have been appointed as co-chairs with Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel as vice-chair. The taskforce will bring together the country’s top experts to set out support for the development of the National Cancer Plan, which will improve treatment, detection, and research for cancer in children.

What steps he is taking to increase the availability of hospital beds for teenagers and young adults undergoing cancer treatment.

Cancer treatment for teenagers and young adults is complex and intensive, with many patients requiring a high level of support. As a result, and as set out in NHS England's service specifications, hospitals providing specialist cancer services for teenagers and young adults must ensure that there are sufficient dedicated facilities for teenagers and young adults with cancer, including for inpatient and day care.The Department and NHS England are taking action to increase capacity for all elective and cancer services, including those for teenagers and young adults.In 2025/26, the Department will invest an extra £22.6 billion in day-to-day spending compared to 2023/24. The investment will support the National Health Service to deliver the elective target and to deliver capacity for 30,000 more procedures and over £1.25 million diagnostics tests as they come online, alongside additional beds to help bring waiting lists down, reduce waiting times, and shift more care into the community.

What progress his Department has made on the five-point prevention plan.

The Government is committed to tackling the United Kingdom’s biggest killers and building a fairer UK, where everyone lives longer, healthier lives. This is why our Health Mission aims to shift away from a model geared towards late diagnosis and treatment, to one where there is focus on prevention, and more services are delivered in local communities. Our core objective is to shorten the amount of time spent in ill-health and prevent premature deaths, and we are committed to this. We have already taken action, with the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill passing the committee stage on 30 January. We are committed to banning junk food advertising to children. A 9:00pm television watershed and 24-hour online ban on paid-for advertising of less healthy food and drink products targeting children are on track to come into force across the UK on 1 October 2025. We have also committed to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16-year-olds. Alongside this, we are exploring all interventions that will improve public health across a range of the UK’s biggest killers and help deliver the shift from treatment to prevention. Further details on our approach will be shared as we move forward.

What steps his Department plans to take to contribute to the target of halving violence against women and girls in ten years.

The Government is committed to halving violence against women and girls in a decade. My Department is working closely with NHS England, the Home Office, and others on a coordinated approach to achieve this goal and improve the health response to victims and perpetrators.NHS England has launched a national campaign to raise awareness of sexual assault referral centres and encourage survivors of sexual assault and abuse to seek help. These specialist services offer dedicated care and support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused.All integrated care boards have now appointed Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence leads to review their policies, training, and support systems for patients and staff. NHS England has also introduced a comprehensive package of measures to tackle sexual misconduct in the workplace.

What the (a) structure and (b) scope is of the cross-Government Health Mission Board.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care chairs a cross-Government Health Mission Board to oversee and drive delivery of the Health Mission to build a health and social care system fit for the future. Mission Boards are Cabinet Committees.The current membership of the Health Mission Board includes the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as the Deputy Chair. Other ministers will be invited to meetings according to the agenda.The Terms of Reference of the Health Mission Board are to oversee and drive delivery of the Health Mission.

If he will take steps to deliver a fully funded cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities which (a) takes into account the wider determinants of health and (b) includes measurable goals.

Our Health Mission in England focuses on addressing the social determinants of health, with the goal of halving the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions.We will work across Government and with a wide range of healthcare stakeholders to address the root causes of health inequalities. We will prioritise prevention, shift more care into the community, and intervene earlier in life to raise the healthiest generation of children in our history.As part of the Government’s five long-term missions, and informed by the Darzi Review, the Government has launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future.Existing initiatives to reduce inequalities in relation to health services, in England, include NHS England’s Core20PLUS5, which focuses on improving the five clinical areas at most need of accelerated improvement in the poorest 20% of the population, along with other underserved population groups identified at a local level, including groups that share protected characteristics, and socially excluded groups such as people experiencing homelessness.Future spending will be subject to the outcome of the Spending Review announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Whether his Department plans to engage with (a) parliamentarians and (b) healthcare stakeholders on steps to improve health inequalities.

Our Health Mission in England focuses on addressing the social determinants of health, with the goal of halving the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions.We will work across Government and with a wide range of healthcare stakeholders to address the root causes of health inequalities. We will prioritise prevention, shift more care into the community, and intervene earlier in life to raise the healthiest generation of children in our history.As part of the Government’s five long-term missions, and informed by the Darzi Review, the Government has launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future.Existing initiatives to reduce inequalities in relation to health services, in England, include NHS England’s Core20PLUS5, which focuses on improving the five clinical areas at most need of accelerated improvement in the poorest 20% of the population, along with other underserved population groups identified at a local level, including groups that share protected characteristics, and socially excluded groups such as people experiencing homelessness.Future spending will be subject to the outcome of the Spending Review announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

What the age profile is of the NHS midwifery workforce in (a) the most recent month for which figures are available and (b) the same month in each year since 2015.

The tables attached show the age profile of the National Health Service midwifery workforce in the most recent month for which figures are available, and in the same month in each year since 2015.

What the age profile is of the NHS midwifery workforce for each Agenda for Change pay band in each region of England in the most recent month for which figures are available.

The table attached shows the age profile of the National Health Service midwifery workforce for each Agenda for Change pay band, in each region of England.