Written questions by Eastwood.

What plans he has to meet young people with cancer to discuss their experiences during Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month in April 2025.

NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including those that are most common in teenagers and young adults. Further information on cancer signs and symptoms is available on the NHS.UK website.The Department is committed to improving outcomes for teenagers and young adults with cancer. That’s why we have relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce. The taskforce will explore opportunities for improvement in England, including detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, research and innovation, and patient experience. The taskforce will ensure that the unique needs of children and young people, including teenagers with cancer, are carefully considered as part of the National Cancer Plan for England, due to be published later this year.As part of this work, the Department is committed to directly engaging with patients and their families to discuss their experiences. We are working with taskforce members to assemble a Patient Experience Panel, made up of young people with lived experience of cancer and their families, which will feed directly into the work of the taskforce.

Whether the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's recommendation of relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone for routine NHS use to treat endometriosis will extend to Northern Ireland.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service in England. NICE published final draft guidance on 13 March 2025 that recommends relugolix-estadiol-norethisterone as an option for treating symptoms of endometriosis in adults of reproductive age who have had medical or surgical treatment for endometriosis. NICE currently expects to publish final guidance in April 2025. Health is a devolved matter and decisions on the availability of medicines in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/topics/national-institute-health-and-care-excellence-nice

If he will support the ratification of the World Health Organisation Resolution to include chronic kidney disease in its priority list of non-communicable diseases.

The United Kingdom actively engaged in negotiations on the World Health Organization (WHO) resolution, Reducing the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through the Promotion of Kidney Health and Strengthening Prevention and Control of Kidney Disease, in advance of the 156th WHO Executive Board in February 2025. The Executive Board recommended adoption of all resolutions considered to the World Health Assembly, including this one, subject to ongoing budget discussions. If adopted, the resolution will apply to the UK as a Member State of the WHO. We remain committed to tackling NCDs, including kidney disease, domestically and internationally.

Whether he plans to engage with (a) Kidney Care UK and (b) other patient representative organisations ahead of the World Health Assembly's debate on kidney health.

The Department has met with Kidney Care UK and will be arranging further meetings with civil society organisations on the full range of health topics to be discussed in advance of the World Health Assembly in May 2025.

What steps he is taking to help reduce inequalities of care for blood cancer patients.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 October 2024 to Question 5808.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of blood cancer data.

The National Disease Registration Service, through the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Services (NCRAS), collects information on how many people in England are diagnosed with or treated for cancer. Blood cancer is included as a distinct category, labelled haematological neoplasms. This creates a clinically rich data resource that is used to measure diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer. The data held by the NCRAS supports service provision and commissioning in the National Health Service, clinical audits, and public health and epidemiological research, all of which contribute to improved outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer, including those with blood cancer. The information is available at the following link: https://www.cancerdata.nhs.uk/National Disease Registration Service analysts attend quarterly meetings with United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Cancer Registries analysts to discuss any differences in the reporting of cancer data and how these can be made analogous. Annual performance indicators, including key performance indicators for haematology, are available at the following link:https://ukiacr.org/kpis

What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on supporting smokers in Northern Ireland to quit.

The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced into Parliament on 5 November 2024 and will be the single biggest public health intervention since the Government banned smoking in indoor public spaces.This bill goes further than ever before. It will create the first smoke-free generation, gradually phasing out the sale of tobacco products across the country, enable the Government to strengthen the existing ban on smoking in public places, to reduce the harms of passive smoking in certain outdoor settings, ban vapes and nicotine products from being promoted and advertised to children, and introduce tougher enforcement measures, including through providing powers to introduce a retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes.The bill has been developed in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government. The Department has engaged extensively with all the devolved administrations throughout the process of drafting the bill. I also have liaised directly with Minister Nesbitt and his department's officials on the bill’s contents and progress, and will continue to do so..Stop smoking services and support for smokers to quit are devolved matters, and support for smokers to quit in Northern Ireland is for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of AirPods Pro 2's Hearing Aid feature.

We are aware of the new features on the AirPods Pro 2. As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will consider the potential of technologies, including wearable technologies, to support the shift in healthcare from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.

What steps he is taking with his Northern Irish counterpart to ensure that radioisotopes are distributed to areas most in need.

The Department has been working hard with industry to help resolve the shortages of radioisotopes, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. The affected radioisotopes are mainly used for diagnosing cancers, including prostate and breast cancer, and are also used for the imaging of organ function in scans, including for the heart. Despite efforts to limit the impact, there will be delays for some patients accessing services which rely on this affected radioisotope, with potential cancellations. In the most urgent cases patients will be prioritised for care while supplies are limited. Patients may also be offered the necessary treatment at another hospital.The Department is working in close partnership with National Health Service specialists from across the UK, suppliers, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, UK Radiopharmacy Group, and the devolved administrations, including Northern Ireland, to ensure that critical patients are prioritised and the limited supply is shared equitably between hospitals and trusts across the UK.The Department has worked with specialist clinicians to develop comprehensive management advice for NHS clinicians across the UK on how to manage and prioritise patients affected by these shortages. The guidance covers actions for health boards in the devolved nations, including on the coordination of mutual aid arrangements and escalation routes where issues are identified.

When he plans to introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

In the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, we committed to introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in this parliamentary session. The bill will create the first smoke-free generation, gradually ending the sale of tobacco products as well as stopping vapes and other nicotine products from being branded and advertised to appeal to children. The bill will be the biggest public health intervention in a generation and pave the way for a smoke-free United Kingdom. It will be introduced to Parliament in due course.

If he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Health Minister on access to Enhertu in Northern Ireland.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has no plans to speak to the Minister of Health for Northern Ireland about the specific issue of access to the medicine Enhertu in Northern Ireland. Decisions on the availability of individual treatments to National Health Service patients in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are for the devolved administrations.Decisions on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS in England are taken by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the basis of an evaluation of a treatment’s costs and benefits. The NICE’s methods are internationally respected, and have been developed through extensive work with industry, academics, and the public to ensure they appropriately capture the costs and benefits, and best reflect social values. These are very difficult decisions to make, and it is important that they are made independently and on the basis of the available evidence.

How many (a) blood cancer clinical nurses employed and (b) vacant blood cancer clinical nurse specialist posts there are in the NHS; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing of a new blood cancer support role.

Information on the number of blood cancer clinical nurse specialists employed in the National Health Service, and the number of vacant posts, is not held centrally.The NHS has been facing chronic workforce shortages for years, and we have to be honest that bringing in the staff we need will take time.  We are committed to training the staff we need to get patients seen on time.  To achieve this, we will reform the NHS to deliver more care in the community and more preventative care.As we fix the NHS, we will deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, so patients, including blood cancer patients, are always cared for by the relevant, qualified healthcare professionals.

If he will take steps to hold discussions with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on co-ordinating national cancer registries in their (a) collection, (b) analysis and (c) reporting of blood cancer data.

There are no current plans to hold discussions with the devolved administrations on co-ordinating national cancer registries. The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), which includes the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, is a member of the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Cancer Registries (UKIACR). The UKIACR has interests in all aspects of cancer registration, both in its methodology and in its application, to the collection, analysis, and publication of population-based data on the incidence, mortality, and survivability from cancer, and in the use of this data for research aimed at controlling cancer in the population. More details are available at the following link:https://ukiacr.org/about/ukiacr-constitutionStaff from the NDRS attend quarterly UKIACR executive meetings, where collaboration and standardisation, where possible, of the collection and reporting of cancer data is discussed. NDRS analysts also attend quarterly meetings with UKIACR analysts, where detailed discussions are held to ascertain any differences in the reporting of cancer data, and how these can be made analogous. Annual performance indicators, including key performance indicators for haematology, are available at the following link:https://ukiacr.org/kpisEngland and Wales use the same cancer registration information and communication technology environment, and contracts are held between England, Wales, and Scotland, respectively, to provide the mechanisms to collect and store radiotherapy data.

Whether his Department is taking steps to support (a) investigator-led and (b) commercially-sponsored clinical trials in blood cancer research.

The Department-funded National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on blood cancer.NIHR infrastructure provides world-class research expertise, specialist facilities, a research delivery workforce, and support services, which all help to support and deliver research across the National Health Service and the wider health and care system.The Department is committed to implementing the recommendations of Lord O'Shaughnessy’s review into commercial clinical trials, making sure the United Kingdom is one of the best places in the world to conduct cutting-edge clinical research, including research into cancer.The Department spends £1.5 billion per year on research through the NIHR. NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was over £121.8 million for 2022/23, with more spent on cancer than any other disease group.

What steps he is taking improve the disparities experienced by those from (a) ethnic minorities, (b) deprived backgrounds and (c) geographically remote locations in accessing a timely diagnosis of blood cancer.

Making improvements across different cancer types is critical to reducing disparities in cancer survival. Early cancer diagnosis is also a specific priority within the National Health Service’s wider Core20Plus5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities.We recognise there are particular challenges for a number of different populations, particularly for people living in the most deprived areas of the country. As part of our wider strategy on early diagnosis, we are directly targeting our activity at areas we know will make a difference.The NHS’s Help Us, Help You cancer campaigns increase awareness of cancer symptoms, address barriers, and encourage people to get checked. Some campaigns focus on specific symptoms while others focus on fear as a barrier to help-seeking, which is relevant across all cancer types. The key target audience for these campaigns are people aged 50 year old and over living in more disadvantaged areas, as well as groups more likely to experience health inequalities, such as black and South Asian people.NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of local communities are met, including providing support for travel.

If he will take steps to help ensure blood cancer is routinely included as a distinct category when reporting on (a) prevalence, (b) healthcare utilisation and (c) other appropriate benchmarks.

The National Disease Registration Service, through the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Services (NCRAS), collects information on how many people in England have cancer. Blood cancer is included as a distinct category, labelled haematological neoplasms. The National Disease Registration Service’s website also shows the number of people treated for different tumour types by treatment type, as well as survival rates, mortality rates, and data on urgent suspected cancer referrals. This information is available at the following link:https://www.cancerdata.nhs.uk/All cases of cancer diagnosed and treated in the National Health Service in England are registered by the NCRAS. This creates a clinically rich data resource that is used to measure diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer. The data held by the NCRAS supports service provision and commissioning in the NHS, clinical audits, and public health and epidemiological research, all of which contribute to improved outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of participation in clinical trials for blood cancer; and whether he plans to take steps to increase the level of participation among underrepresented groups.

No such assessment has been made. The Department-funded National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research. The NIHR supported the opening of 171 studies on blood cancer and the recruitment of 7,939 participants between 2021/22 and 2023/24, indicating a consistent level of participation.The Department is committed to implementing the recommendations of Lord O'Shaughnessy’s review into commercial clinical trials, maximising the United Kingdom’s potential to lead the world in clinical trials, and ensuring that innovative, lifesaving treatments are accessible to National Health Service patients. Our aim is to ensure all patients, including those in underrepresented groups, are empowered to directly and proactively explore research opportunities.The NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This can also be accessed through the NHS App. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.

What steps he is taking to (a) help improve patient understanding of self-monitoring of blood cancer and (b) increase funding for (i) sign-posting and referrals into charity support services and (ii) other resources for patient advocacy.

NHS England is committed to ensuring that all cancer patients are offered Holistic Needs Assessment and Personalised Care and Support Planning, ensuring care is focused on what matters most to each person. This is being delivered in line with the NHS Comprehensive Model for Personalised Care, empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer, and maximise the potential of digital and community-based support.Health and wellbeing information and support is provided from diagnosis onwards and includes access to NHS Talking Therapy services for anxiety and depression. This is alongside wider work to improve psychosocial support for people affected by cancer, such as through local partnerships with cancer support charities.

Whether he plans to take steps with NHS England to develop (a) modelling of the blood cancer care workforce and (b) national standards for staffing and facilities.

Information on the number of blood cancer clinical nurse specialists employed in the National Health Service, and the number of vacant posts, is not held centrally.The NHS has been facing chronic workforce shortages for years, and we have to be honest that bringing in the staff we need will take time.  We are committed to training the staff we need to get patients seen on time.  To achieve this, we will reform the NHS to deliver more care in the community and more preventative care.As we fix the NHS, we will deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, so patients, including blood cancer patients, are always cared for by the relevant, qualified healthcare professionals.

With reference to the report by Lord Darzi entitled Independent investigation of the NHS in England, published on 12 September 2024, what steps he plans to take to improve the quality of the NHS equipment referenced in that report.

Professor Lord Darzi highlights that the National Health Service has been starved of capital, with outdated scanners, too little automation, and that the NHS is failing to enter the digital era. The findings provide a diagnosis of the challenges facing the NHS which will inform the solutions, including the 10-year plan to reform the NHS.Digital transformation and technology are critical to the future of the NHS. We are committed to providing the NHS with the latest technology and replacing outdated equipment to catch cancer and other conditions earlier, thereby saving lives.As part of this, we are progressing our commitment to double the number of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners to address the challenges in diagnostic waiting times, accelerate cancer diagnosis, and build an NHS fit for the future. We will harness the power of technologies like artificial intelligence to transform the speed and accuracy of diagnostic services, saving potentially thousands of lives.The Frontline Digitisation programme is working to improve digital maturity across the NHS, prioritising hardware, connectivity, and electronic patient record systems. National support is in place for trusts to procure and implement electronic patient records.