Written questions by Farron.

What plans his Department has for the NHS to do cardiac testing on young people.

The Government recognises how worrying heart health can be for the families of young people. The National Health Service already offers cardiac tests for young people who present with symptoms that could indicate a cardiac issue. Testing young people who have no symptoms in order to look for potential cardiac problems would, however, be classed as a screening programme.In considering whether any screening programme should be introduced, the Government is guided by the independent scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). The UK NSC makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process. Where the committee is confident that offering screening provides more good than harm, they recommend a screening programme.The UK NSC last reviewed screening for the conditions associated with sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019. The conclusion of that review was that population screening should not be offered, as research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use on young people with no symptoms.The UK NSC is due to open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on screening for the conditions associated with sudden cardiac death this spring, and we would encourage those with an interest to contribute.

What assessment he has made of whether the newborn screening programme is fit for purpose and screens for all conditions.

The NHS Newborn Blood Spot Programme screens for ten rare but serious conditions and consistently achieves very high coverage, with the most recent figure at 98% in quarter two of 2025/26.Coverage of babies who move into the area after birth is lower, at 83%, so the programme is less effective for this subgroup, although numbers are much smaller.A total of 570,865 babies were screened in 2024/25, demonstrating the programme is operating effectively at scale, and the system is robust enough to deliver screening across a large cohort.Over one million babies have been screened for severe combined immunodeficiency since the launch of the in-service evaluation (ISE) in 2017. NHS England’s report on the 30-month ISE evaluation period found that screening detected ten babies with the condition who would otherwise have gone undetected until infections developed, thus preventing serious illness.NHS England is currently planning a large-scale ISE of screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in newborn screening services, which will help inform a future UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommendation on whether screening for SMA should be added to the NHS Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, asked officials to explore whether the ISE, which was due to start in January 2027, could be expanded to cover the whole of England and start earlier. It has now been confirmed that the ISE will start three months earlier, in October 2026. We will announce further updates regarding its expansion in due course.

Whether he plans to increase the provision of TMS for depression.

There are no plans at present to increase the provision of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for depression based on current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. Integrated care boards are responsible for providing health and care services to meet the needs of their local populations.

How many NHS mental health Trusts currently provide a TMS service to people experiencing depression and how many people have received a full course of TMS treatment.

There are no plans at present to increase the provision of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for depression based on current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. Integrated care boards are responsible for providing health and care services to meet the needs of their local populations.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the recent recall of Aptamil and SMA on NHS infant‑formula supply; and what discussions his Department has had with UK manufacturers on that recall.

Following the recent recalls of specific batches of infant formula due to the possible presence of the cereulide toxin, the Food Standards Agency has led the incident response, engaging directly with the manufacturers concerned and coordinating public notifications and recall activity across the United Kingdom. The Department and the UK Health Security Agency have participated in these crisis management arrangements to ensure all relevant health partners are engaged.In respect of National Health Service supply, the Department’s National Supply Disruption Response team has been actively engaged throughout in assessing and mitigating any potential impacts on infant formula availability in healthcare settings. The Department has not experienced any supply shortages and there remain alternative suitable products available.For the specialist amino acid formula SMA Alfamino, Nestlé prioritised supply for the most clinically vulnerable babies, while alternative suppliers, including Danone and Reckitt, had adequate stock to support any temporary shortfall. As of 16 February, Nestle’s supply of Alfamino recovered and they are now able to meet prescription demand at normal demand levels.The Department remains in ongoing contact with both Nestlé and Danone, as well as other formula manufacturers who supply the UK. This engagement includes monitoring supply positions, ensuring continuity of provision in hospitals and community settings, and supporting industry efforts to stabilise stock levels as recall actions progress.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential (a) direct and (b) indirect impact of current levels of (i) ambient and (ii) indoor air pollution on the (A) current and (B) future health of children and young people.

Ambient and indoor air pollution have long- and short-term health impacts on children and young people, for example respiratory effects including reduced lung function and exacerbation of asthma. The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants has published advice on the susceptibility to air pollution, including for children.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that one third of schools in England in 2017 were in areas with fine particulate matter levels exceeding previous World Health Organization guidelines, particularly in income-deprived areas, exacerbating health inequalities.A recent UKHSA review also found that 315,000 days of school absences in 2019 were attributed to illnesses related to fine particulate matter exposure.The UKHSA is a key partner in a newly funded project focused on improving indoor air quality and its health implications, including among children in educational settings.

What information his Department holds on air pollution impacting people's health in relation to (a) ambient air and (b) indoor air in England.

The Department and the UK Health Security Agency have published a range of information and evidence on health impacts of air pollution, to support action to reduce exposure to harmful emissions.The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2022: Air Pollution sets out a detailed overview of this evidence of the impact on health of both indoor and ambient air quality. The report can be accessed at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2022-air-pollution

If he will set out the types of health impacts of poor (a) ambient and (b) indoor air quality by (i) geography and (ii) socioeconomic groups.

Ambient and indoor air pollution are harmful to health in the United Kingdom. Long-term exposure to air pollution, over years or lifetimes, reduces life expectancy, mainly due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, dementia and lung cancer. Short-term exposure, over hours or days, to elevated levels of air pollution can also cause a range of health impacts, including effects on lung function, exacerbation of asthma, increases in respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions, and mortality. Some groups may be more affected by air pollution exposure due to their location or socioeconomic background, but the types of health impacts from exposure to poor air quality in indoor and ambient settings remains similar. A combination of high ambient air pollution levels and substandard housing in income-deprived areas, pre-existing health issues, and lifestyle factors contribute to a disproportionate burden of air-pollution-related ill health among more deprived groups.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on delivering national targets for ambient air including by sharing data.

Department of Health and Social Care ministers engage regularly with ministerial colleagues on air quality. The 10-Year Health Plan for England details action the Government will take to reduce the health harms of air pollution. This includes the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ refreshed Environmental Improvement Plan which sets out action to further improve air quality in England including through revised interim targets.

What steps he is taking to (a) bring awareness to and (b) help address the potential adverse impact of poor ambient air quality.

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan sets out actions to reduce people’s exposure to harmful emissions, improve public understanding of air pollution, and strengthen how air quality information is communicated. The Department continues to work with partners across the Government and the health system to ensure the public receives clear, evidence-based advice and that air quality becomes part of everyday conversations.In line with commitments in both the 10-Year Health Plan and the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and across Government to reduce the health harms associated with poor ambient air quality.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of poor air quality in (a) ambient air and (b) indoor air on different age groups of people in England.

Poor air quality is a major public health risk in the United Kingdom. An estimated 29,000 to 43,000 deaths were attributable to long-term exposure to ambient air pollution in the UK in 2019 among adults aged 30 years old and over.Indoor residential exposure to damp and mould was associated with approximately 5,000 cases of asthma and 8,500 lower respiratory infections among children, those who are aged between zero to 14 years old, and adults, those who are aged between 15 to 49 years old, in England in 2019.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) contributed to a report by the Royal College of Physicians in 2025. This contained data on new cases of mortality, myocardial infarction, asthma, lung cancer, and other conditions, attributable to a range of air pollutants in 2019 and predicted for 2040, among children, those over 30 years old, over 60 years old, and at all ages. The report is available at the following link:https://www.rcp.ac.uk/policy-and-campaigns/policy-documents/a-breath-of-fresh-air-responding-to-the-health-challenges-of-modern-air-pollution/The Department’s 10-Year Health Plan sets out how the Government will act to reduce the health harms of air pollution. This includes action to reduce harm from ambient air pollution and tackling poor indoor air by improving the standard of rented homes with relation to damp and mould.

Whether he plans to take steps to allow NHS professionals to view the health records of ex-military patients from their time in military service.

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) provide primary healthcare for serving personnel. All serving personnel will have a Defence Health Record which records their healthcare through their military service, whether provided by DMS or the National Health Service.Serving personnel are provided with a medical care summary and a patient’s full Defence Health Record are transferred on request from their NHS general practitioner (GP). These are then available to be used and viewed as part of the individual’s medical records. These would also form part of digital records available via the NHS App and held by the respective veteran patient.To improve the transfer of healthcare information, DMS is working towards a greater interoperability with NHS systems and the electronic transfer of medical records from DMS to NHS GPs.

What measures are in place to monitor patients on Gabapentin for signs of neurological or cognitive decline during treatment.

Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Patient Information Leaflet which is provided in each pack of the medicine.The SPC states that in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, such as painful diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia, efficacy and safety have not been examined in clinical studies for treatment periods longer than five months. If a patient requires the medication for longer than five months to treat peripheral neuropathic pain, the treating physician should assess the patient's clinical status and determine the need for additional therapy. Epilepsy normally requires long-term treatment and the SPC states that the dosage for gabapentin should be determined by the treating physician according to the clinical response and side effects experienced by the individual patient.The product information for gabapentin lists amnesia as a common side effect and mental impairment as an uncommon side effect. Dementia is not a known side effect of gabapentin.Gabapentin can cause drug dependence, and the product information includes warnings that patients treated with gabapentin should be monitored for symptoms of misuse, abuse, or dependence. After discontinuation of short- and long-term treatment with gabapentin, withdrawal symptoms have been observed, and gabapentin should be discontinued gradually over a minimum of one week.As with all medicines, the safety of gabapentin is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using a number of data sources including reports of suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, data from marketing authorisation holders, and research published in the scientific literature.

Whether research is being conducted into the potential association between Gabapentin use and the development of attentional amnestic disorders or other cognitive impairments.

Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Patient Information Leaflet which is provided in each pack of the medicine.The SPC states that in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, such as painful diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia, efficacy and safety have not been examined in clinical studies for treatment periods longer than five months. If a patient requires the medication for longer than five months to treat peripheral neuropathic pain, the treating physician should assess the patient's clinical status and determine the need for additional therapy. Epilepsy normally requires long-term treatment and the SPC states that the dosage for gabapentin should be determined by the treating physician according to the clinical response and side effects experienced by the individual patient.The product information for gabapentin lists amnesia as a common side effect and mental impairment as an uncommon side effect. Dementia is not a known side effect of gabapentin.Gabapentin can cause drug dependence, and the product information includes warnings that patients treated with gabapentin should be monitored for symptoms of misuse, abuse, or dependence. After discontinuation of short- and long-term treatment with gabapentin, withdrawal symptoms have been observed, and gabapentin should be discontinued gradually over a minimum of one week.As with all medicines, the safety of gabapentin is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using a number of data sources including reports of suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, data from marketing authorisation holders, and research published in the scientific literature.

What steps are being taken to inform patients and healthcare professionals about the potential long-term risks of Gabapentin use.

Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Patient Information Leaflet which is provided in each pack of the medicine.The SPC states that in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, such as painful diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia, efficacy and safety have not been examined in clinical studies for treatment periods longer than five months. If a patient requires the medication for longer than five months to treat peripheral neuropathic pain, the treating physician should assess the patient's clinical status and determine the need for additional therapy. Epilepsy normally requires long-term treatment and the SPC states that the dosage for gabapentin should be determined by the treating physician according to the clinical response and side effects experienced by the individual patient.The product information for gabapentin lists amnesia as a common side effect and mental impairment as an uncommon side effect. Dementia is not a known side effect of gabapentin.Gabapentin can cause drug dependence, and the product information includes warnings that patients treated with gabapentin should be monitored for symptoms of misuse, abuse, or dependence. After discontinuation of short- and long-term treatment with gabapentin, withdrawal symptoms have been observed, and gabapentin should be discontinued gradually over a minimum of one week.As with all medicines, the safety of gabapentin is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using a number of data sources including reports of suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, data from marketing authorisation holders, and research published in the scientific literature.

Whether prescribing guidelines for Gabapentin include warnings about potential risks associated with extended use.

There are a number of resources available to prescribers to advise them on the potential risks associated with extended use of gabapentin.The British National Formulary (BNF) for adults provides healthcare professionals with a range of information on the selection, prescribing, dispensing, and administration of medicines. The BNF monograph for gabapentin provides information on the cautions and side effects relating to use of the medicine. The BNF also provides important safety information, such as advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the risks associated with use of gabapentin.In addition, the known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics for healthcare professionals, and the Patient Information Leaflet which is provided in each pack of the medicine. These provide prescribers with special warnings and precautions regarding the use of gabapentin to inform decision-making.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of prolonged use of Gabapentin on long-term neurological risks, including dementia and brain damage.

Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Patient Information Leaflet which is provided in each pack of the medicine.The SPC states that in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, such as painful diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia, efficacy and safety have not been examined in clinical studies for treatment periods longer than five months. If a patient requires the medication for longer than five months to treat peripheral neuropathic pain, the treating physician should assess the patient's clinical status and determine the need for additional therapy. Epilepsy normally requires long-term treatment and the SPC states that the dosage for gabapentin should be determined by the treating physician according to the clinical response and side effects experienced by the individual patient.The product information for gabapentin lists amnesia as a common side effect and mental impairment as an uncommon side effect. Dementia is not a known side effect of gabapentin.Gabapentin can cause drug dependence, and the product information includes warnings that patients treated with gabapentin should be monitored for symptoms of misuse, abuse, or dependence. After discontinuation of short- and long-term treatment with gabapentin, withdrawal symptoms have been observed, and gabapentin should be discontinued gradually over a minimum of one week.As with all medicines, the safety of gabapentin is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using a number of data sources including reports of suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, data from marketing authorisation holders, and research published in the scientific literature.

What discussions his Department has had with ‘Heating, ventilation and air conditioning’ (HVAC) professionals and facilities managers to understand how they reduce air pollution in dwellings and non-domestic buildings while minimising energy use and heat loss.

The Department and the UK Health Security Agency engage with a range of stakeholders on ways to reduce the health impacts of both indoor and outdoor air pollution.This includes engagement by officials with relevant bodies in the United Kingdom and internationally, such as the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre, which operates under the International Energy Agency, on issues related to indoor air quality, including ventilation.

How many people died from smoking in England in each year since 2021.

The latest estimates for smoking-attributable mortality in England are for the period 2017 to 2019. The Smoking Profile, produced by the Department, reports 191,903 smoking-attributable deaths of people aged 35 years old and over in the period 2017 to 2019 in England, which is just under 64,000 deaths each year. Further information on the Smoking Profile is available at the following link:https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/tobacco-control/data#page/1/gid/1938132887/pat/159/par/K02000001/ati/15/are/E92000001/yrr/1/cid/4/tbm/1

Which public health factors created the 10 largest direct cost impacts on the NHS in 2024; and how much the NHS spent in 2024 on tackling the health impacts of the following public health factors: (a) air pollution, (b) alcoholism, (c) obesity, (d) excessive salt consumption and (e) smoking.

Global Burden of Disease data considers the top ten public health factors in the United Kingdom in 2023 in order of importance to be: tobacco, high body mass index, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, high blood pressure, high alcohol use, high cholesterol, occupational risks, kidney dysfunction, and drug use. Further information on the Global Burden of Disease data is available at the following link:https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/The following table shows the various estimates of the cost to the National Health Service of the five factors specified:Risk factorEstimated NHS costSource of EstimateAir Pollution£1.6 billion for fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide combined between 2017 and 2025.Public Health England Agency, 2018Alcohol£4.9 billion annuallyInstitute of Alcohol Studies, 2021/22Obesity£9.3 billion annuallyFrontier Economics & NESTA, 2025Hypertension (excessive salt consumption is linked to an increased risk of hypertension)£2.1 billion annuallyOptimity Matrix (commissioned by Public Health England), 2014Smoking£1.8 billion annuallyAction on Smoking and Health, 2025 Comparisons of costs should not be made between these estimates because of the different methodologies used in their construction.