Written questions by Morton.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Mental Health Strategy for England on waiting times for mental health services; what steps he is taking to ensure that a shift towards earlier intervention and community-based support does not result in reduced access to specialist clinical treatment for those with severe mental illness; and whether he plans to publish modelling on projected workforce and funding requirements arising from the strategy.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions he has had with the UK Health Security Agency on operational lessons arising from the public health response to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak; whether the Government plans to publish a formal lessons learned review; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of cross-government coordination between UKHSA, the NHS, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Ministry of Defence and local authorities during the incident.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to publish (a) targets and (b) measurable outcomes as part of the Mental Health Strategy for England.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has conducted an assessment of the level of public health risks associated with expedition cruise vessels visiting remote UK Overseas Territories; what protocols are in place for infectious disease screening and response in those territories with limited healthcare infrastructure; and whether he plans to provide additional support, funding and permanent infectious disease resilience measures to those territories.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK’s high consequence infectious disease isolation capacity in the context of the hantavirus outbreak; what assessment he has made of the suitability of Arrowe Park Hospital and other NHS facilities for prolonged isolation periods of up to 45 days; and whether he plans to increase dedicated isolation and infectious disease surge capacity.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of schools and colleges on delivering the proposed Mental Health Strategy for England; what additional funding and guidance will be provided to education settings to support mental health provision; and how he plans to ensure consistency in the availability and quality of Mental Health Support Teams across different regions.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of current contact tracing arrangements for rare imported infectious diseases in the context of the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak; how many people have been required to isolate as a result of the incident; what guidance has been issued to local authority Directors of Public Health and hon. Members where constituents are isolating; and whether compensation and financial support is available for individuals unable to work during extended isolation periods.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with NHS England, local authorities and integrated care boards on the implementation of the proposed Mental Health Strategy for England; whether he plans to place a statutory duty on local partners in relation to mental health prevention, early intervention and community support; and what mechanisms will be used to measure the effectiveness of cross-government coordination under the strategy.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the number of additional mental health professionals required to deliver the proposed Mental Health Strategy for England; how he plans to improve recruitment and retention across psychiatry, mental health nursing and psychological therapies; and whether he plans to further expand training places.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS and the public sector of industrial action by doctors and other healthcare workers since July 2024; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that industrial action on the length of waiting lists, and the number of cancelled procedures and the level of patient outcomes; and whether he plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or amend protections relating to industrial action in essential health and social care services.

Since the agreement made with resident doctors in July 2024 there have been four rounds of strikes. The resident doctors have been on strike for five days each in July, November, and December 2025, and for six days in April 2026. These have an estimated total cost of £50 million a day, including direct and indirect costs, so the total estimated cost is £1 billion. There have not been other national strikes of other healthcare worker groups in this time period.NHS England routinely publishes information on postponed inpatient and outpatient appointments during periods of industrial action. This information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/preparedness-for-potential-industrial-action-in-the-nhs/#heading-3NHS England has published further workforce and activity analysis for the most recent strikes, and this is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/There are no plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or to amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services. The Government is committed to bringing in a new era of partnership that sees employers, unions, and the Government work together in co-operation to resolve disputes through meaningful negotiations. Additionally, we have robust contingency plans in place to minimise disruption from any potential industrial action. Striking workers are still subject to section 240 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, which allows for criminal prosecutions for those who intentionally and maliciously endanger life or cause serious injury to a person by going on strike.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS and wider public sector of industrial action by doctors and other healthcare workers since July 2024; what assessment he has made of the impact of that industrial action on (a) waiting lists, (b) cancelled procedures and (c) patient outcomes; and whether he plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services.

Since the agreement made with resident doctors in July 2024 there have been four rounds of strikes. The resident doctors have been on strike for five days each in July, November, and December 2025, and for six days in April 2026. These have an estimated total cost of £50 million a day, including direct and indirect costs, so the total estimated cost is £1 billion. There have not been other national strikes of other healthcare worker groups in this time period.NHS England routinely publishes information on postponed inpatient and outpatient appointments during periods of industrial action. This information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/preparedness-for-potential-industrial-action-in-the-nhs/#heading-3NHS England has published further workforce and activity analysis for the most recent strikes, and this is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/There are no plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or to amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services. The Government is committed to bringing in a new era of partnership that sees employers, unions, and the Government work together in co-operation to resolve disputes through meaningful negotiations. Additionally, we have robust contingency plans in place to minimise disruption from any potential industrial action. Striking workers are still subject to section 240 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, which allows for criminal prosecutions for those who intentionally and maliciously endanger life or cause serious injury to a person by going on strike.

Whether the Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework remains scheduled for publication in 2026; what factors have affected its publication date; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the timetable for publication on the financial sustainability, workforce planning and long-term service provision of hospices.

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

What recent engagement his Department has undertaken with hospice providers, palliative care charities and sector representatives in developing the proposed Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework; whether he plans to publish a draft framework or consultation prior to implementation; and whether the framework will contain specific measures relating to (a) children’s hospices, (b) hospice-at-home provision, (c) advance care planning, (d) hospice capital funding and estates and (e) workforce recruitment, training and retention across specialist palliative and end of life care services.

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

Whether the forthcoming Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework will include proposals for (a) a national commissioning model for hospice services, (b) minimum standards for palliative and end of life care provision, (c) reducing regional disparities in access to hospice care, (d) improving access to community-based palliative care services and (e) reducing the reliance of hospices on charitable fundraising to deliver core clinical services; and whether Integrated Care Boards will be subject to any new statutory duties or funding expectations as part of that framework.

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

With reference to HCWS1271, what metrics his Department uses to measure geographic inequalities in cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival; which regions perform worst on early diagnosis and cancer outcomes; whether he will bring forward interventions to targeted the worst performing areas; and how his Department monitors and reports steps it is taking to help reduce such geographic disparities.

The Department monitors geographic inequalities in cancer diagnosis and treatment through the NHS Cancer Waiting Time Standards, for which data is published at integrated care board and provider level. The NHS England Acute Provider Table for all 134 providers supports this transparency.Early diagnosis is monitored through NHS England’s annual publication of early diagnosis data in England, the Case-mix Adjusted Percentage of Cancers Diagnosed at Stages 1 and 2. Early diagnosis data is published for England as a whole and for the integrated care boards. Survival data is monitored through NHS England's annual publication of cancer survival data in England. Cancer survival data is published for England as a whole, for the National Health Service regions, integrated care boards, and Cancer Alliances for 21 selected cancers. The index of cancer survival for all cancers is published for England, integrated care boards, and Cancer Alliances.The Department recognises that outcomes remain poorest in some deprived, rural and coastal areas, where rates of early diagnosis and cancer survival are lower. To support improvement, the Government has provided £200 million of ring‑fenced funding for Cancer Alliances in 2026/27 to help the lowest‑performing trusts strengthen diagnostic pathways and reduce delays.The Department monitors progress through regular oversight with NHS England, tracking improvements in early diagnosis and treatment standards across regions. These measures underpin our commitment to reducing geographic disparities so that a patient’s chances of survival do not depend on where they live.

With reference to HCWS1271 on Improving Cancer Care and Early Diagnosis, when bowel cancer screening invitations will be issued via the NHS App; what proportion of eligible patients currently use the App; what steps he is taking to help ensure that digitally excluded groups will continue to be supported; what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the trend in the levels of uptake in digital screening; and what safeguards exist to help ensure no eligible patients miss screening invitations.

Whilst there is an increasing move towards digital National Health Service communications, NHS letters remain crucial for many patients, particularly those who may be digitally excluded, therefore, they will always be included in the screening offer. For bowel screening, NHS England currently uses NHS Notify which sends pre-invitations via the NHS App first, and if that message isn't read or the person doesn't have the app, a paper letter is sent. Everyone will still get sent a bowel cancer screening home testing kit through the post after pre-information, with information on completing the kit.National roll out of digital pre-invitations is planned over the next couple of months, following a regional pilot last year. From that pilot, NHS England saw approximately 30% of people receive these communications via the NHS app. Based on other similar services, NHS England expects this to increase when other digital communications such as SMS are introduced.National rollout has already been completed in cervical screening with positive results, where approximately 90% of invites are received via the NHS App or SMS.Impact on the uptake of screening will be monitored over at least a six-month period to allow people time to take up their screening offer. To date, no negative impact has been indicated, but NHS England is monitoring closely to assess.

With reference to HCWS1271 of 26 January 2026t on Improving Cancer Care and Early Diagnosis, when the National Cancer Plan will be published; what interim milestones have been set ahead of publication; what engagement has taken place with NHS England, Cancer Alliances and patient groups; and what mechanisms will be used to ensure delivery against the Plan’s commitments.

The National Cancer Plan was published on the 4 February 2026.The Department received more than 11,000 responses to a Call for Evidence alongside significant engagement with patients, families, carers, clinicians, researchers, cancer charities and voluntary groups.Now that the National Cancer Plan is published, the Department, NHS England and the Cancer Alliances will continue to work together with partners across the healthcare landscape to ensure it is delivered, to transform cancer care and save lives.The Government has committed to a clear accountability structure for the plan, where Cancer Alliances play a leading role to deliver it, working with local systems. A reformed National Cancer Board, jointly chaired by the Department and an independent representative, will track progress against the Plans commitments and provide regular updates to ministers. The plan includes tables at the end of each chapter, setting out when commitments should be delivered and which organisation will be responsible.

With reference to HCWS1271 on Improving Cancer Care and Early Diagnosis, which early cancer detection technologies NICE is currently assessing; what timelines apply to NICE's decisions to approve those technologies; whether funding has been allocated to adoption of approved early cancer detection technologies; what steps he is taking to help ensure that there is equitable access to early cancer detection technologies across the regions; and what steps he is taking to help ensure that innovation in early cancer detection technologies does not widen health inequalities.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently assessing a number of technologies relevant to earlier cancer detection. These include capsule sponge tests to support detection of oesophageal cancer in primary care settings, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist clinicians in identifying prostate and breast cancers from imaging. NICE is also considering potential evaluations, subject to evidence readiness and prioritisation, for technologies aimed at improving detection of endometrial cancer, and for AI-derived software to analyse chest x-rays for suspected lung cancer.Timelines vary depending on the NICE programme through which a technology is assessed. For technologies evaluated through the Technology Appraisal programme, a positive recommendation creates a statutory funding requirement for National Health Service commissioners to make the treatment available within 90 days of final guidance publication.NHS England is working closely with NICE and the Department to support the prioritisation for the Technology Appraisal programme. Should NICE recommend use after a Technology Appraisal, NHS England will support adoption and implementation through funding allocated across the multi-year Spending Review.The Government is clear that innovation must narrow, not widen, health inequalities. Access to NICE-recommended technologies is a national entitlement, and where the statutory funding requirement applies it operates consistently across England, regardless of geography or care setting. NICE’s methods require consideration of equality impacts, and implementation support is designed to ensure that new detection technologies reach underserved groups and do not exacerbate existing disparities.More broadly, the Government is taking a range of steps to ensure equitable access to earlier diagnosis. Our National Cancer Plan will drive up standards across England and tackle health inequalities head on. New cancer manuals will set out what good care looks like, with regional partnerships of health leaders and clinicians using data to drive improvements where services are falling short. The plan will also see new national standards, designed by clinicians, and better data, to inform and drive changes where they are most needed.

With reference to HCWS1248, what estimate has been made of the annual cost to the NHS of expanding access to abiraterone; what savings have been achieved through the availability of generic versions of the drug; and how value for money will be assessed over the course of the commissioning policy.

Approximately 2,000 men diagnosed in the last three months with non‑metastatic prostate cancer will now be able to receive abiraterone where it is of clinical benefit, alongside prednisolone. An additional 7,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and will be eligible for the drug. The clinical treatment criteria are available via the Cancer Drugs Fund list at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-cancer-drugs-fund-list/These national clinical treatment criteria ensure equity of access for patients across England.NHS England sets national service standards for those elements of cancer care designated as specialised services. Integrated care boards, supported by Cancer Alliances, are expected to plan and organise access to prostate cancer treatment in line with national standards. The integration of specialised and nonspecialised commissioning allows them to join up care and target resources where they can have the greatest impact on outcomes.The National Prostate Cancer Audit (NPCA) assesses the process of care and its outcomes in men diagnosed with prostate cancer in England and Wales. Further information about the NPCA can be found via the National Disease Registration Service at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/our-work/ncras-partnerships/national-prostate-cancer-audit-npcaInformation regarding the annual cost of expanding access to abiraterone is commercially sensitive. The availability of generic abiraterone means the National Health Service in England can procure the treatment at a lower cost than Zytiga under patent. NHS England has been able to give the green light to the rollout of generic abiraterone for thousands more eligible patients thanks to the health service buying and delivering treatments at better value, following the clinical advice to roll the treatment out last year.

With reference to HCWS1248, what arrangements are in place to monitor patient outcomes following the expanded use of abiraterone at earlier stages of prostate cancer; and whether those outcomes will be published on a national and regional basis.

Approximately 2,000 men diagnosed in the last three months with non‑metastatic prostate cancer will now be able to receive abiraterone where it is of clinical benefit, alongside prednisolone. An additional 7,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and will be eligible for the drug. The clinical treatment criteria are available via the Cancer Drugs Fund list at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-cancer-drugs-fund-list/These national clinical treatment criteria ensure equity of access for patients across England.NHS England sets national service standards for those elements of cancer care designated as specialised services. Integrated care boards, supported by Cancer Alliances, are expected to plan and organise access to prostate cancer treatment in line with national standards. The integration of specialised and nonspecialised commissioning allows them to join up care and target resources where they can have the greatest impact on outcomes.The National Prostate Cancer Audit (NPCA) assesses the process of care and its outcomes in men diagnosed with prostate cancer in England and Wales. Further information about the NPCA can be found via the National Disease Registration Service at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/our-work/ncras-partnerships/national-prostate-cancer-audit-npcaInformation regarding the annual cost of expanding access to abiraterone is commercially sensitive. The availability of generic abiraterone means the National Health Service in England can procure the treatment at a lower cost than Zytiga under patent. NHS England has been able to give the green light to the rollout of generic abiraterone for thousands more eligible patients thanks to the health service buying and delivering treatments at better value, following the clinical advice to roll the treatment out last year.