Department of Health and Social Care

The Department invests over £1.7 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

We are committed to furthering our investment in brain cancer research and have already taken steps to stimulate scientific progress and build scientific capacity to do research on brain cancer.

In January 2026, the NIHR announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours - ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer.

Activity is still in the early stages of delivery however, we will ensure that the impact of these investments reaches patients as quickly as possible.

Information on all awards will be made available on NIHR Funding and Awards pages in due course. NIHR is working to ensure that new investments can get up and running as soon as possible.

In addition, the NIHR continues to strongly encourage brain cancer research applications through its regular funding opportunities.

It is crucial we protect the safety of haemophilia care and the Government is committed to implementing recommendation 9 of the 2024 Infected Blood Inquiry report.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as haemophilia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community: these include getting a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We published the fifth annual England action plan in February 2026, where we report on the steps we have taken to advance these priorities.

This includes peer review of UK comprehensive care centres, which has been an essential part of haemophilia services for many years. The triennial audit was replaced in 2019 with a more formal peer review process on a five-year cycle.

The final peer review report is expected to be published imminently and once published, will be shared with the NHSE Specialised Commissioning Quality Oversight Group for consideration and action. This will be supported by a letter to Integrated Care Boards and Trust Boards, emphasising the valuable role of peer review and ask for confirmation of their commitment to review and implement the peer review findings.

The Haemophilia Service Specification has been updated by the Blood Disorders Clinical Reference Group and is making its way through final approvals, having undergone public consultation. The new specification includes a contractual requirement for providers to participate in, and act upon peer review findings.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Infant formula regulations set robust nutritional and compositional standards, to ensure that all infant formulas for sale in the United Kingdom are suitable for meeting the nutritional requirements of babies. While these regulations do not specify testing for individual toxins, infant formula is also subject to the UK’s overarching food safety legislation which requires food business operators to ensure that products placed on the market are safe.

At present, the Government does not have plans to introduce mandatory testing of cereulide or other toxins in infant formula. While recent product recalls demonstrate that contamination can occur and must be taken seriously, contamination of infant formula is rare and the UK has processes in place to rapidly identify and manage risks when they arise, including through investigation and product recalls. Any decision to mandate routine testing would need to be evidence based and proportionate while prioritising infant safety.

NHS England recognises mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and that patients may experience a spectrum of clinical presentations and symptoms making diagnosis challenging.

NHS England is considering publishing guidance to help integrated care commission services locally that meet the needs for people with MCAS.

The Department has published the 10-Year Health Plan which will shift care out of hospitals and into virtual and neighbourhood services in the community. Planned care will be more efficient and patients will wait less time for their care.

As part of the blood borne virus (BBV) emergency department opt-out testing programme, NHS England currently promotes and funds HIV peer support services in partnership with voluntary and community sector organisations, recognising the role of lived-experience facilitators in reducing isolation and stigma.

NHS England is in the process of commissioning new HIV anti‑stigma training as part of delivery of the HIV Action Plan, for trusts participating in the BBV emergency department opt‑out testing programme. NHS England strongly expects a voluntary and community sector partner with lived experience expertise to lead this work, recognising the critical role such organisations play in tackling stigma and discrimination effectively. Delivery of the programme will be overseen by the national BBV emergency department opt‑out team. Progress will be monitored through quarterly meetings and update reports, aligned to the agreed deliverables, including trust engagement and risk management.

Sudden cardiac death in the young is always a tragedy. Officials and Ministers from the Department have met with representatives from Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) on several occasions.

The Department understands that the data set was recently published. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) will 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. This public consultation will provide an opportunity for members of the public and stakeholders, including CRY, to draw the UK NSC’s attention to any relevant evidence and which could inform its recommendation.

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, we are rolling out lung cancer screening, and the world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill will help deliver our ambition for a smoke-free United Kingdom. We are also expanding access to spirometry tests in community diagnostic centres to enable faster diagnosis of lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

The Government will consider long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks (MSFs), including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. After the initial wave of MSFs is complete, the National Quality Board will determine the conditions to prioritise for new MSFs as part of its work programme.

Lobular breast cancer impacts many lives. According to Cancer Research UK, lobular is the second most common breast cancer in the UK.

We are backing world-leading AI trials to improve diagnostic capacity and early detection. On 4 February 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading Early Detection using Information Technology in Health, or EDITH, trial backed by £11 million of government support via National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NHS in England will also monitor the emerging evidence from the Breast Risk Adaptive Imaging for Density, or BRAID, trial, which aims to determine whether additional imaging with one of several types of scans, is helpful in diagnosing breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. This will target screening programmes at women who are at greater risk of cancer.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are committed to continuing to support the development of fundable research proposals and help drive a stronger collective understanding of the biology behind lobular breast cancer, as well as effective treatment and management of this disease. In order to further stimulate research in this area, the NIHR launched a highlight notice in late 2025, encouraging applications across its research programmes and training.

Under our National Cancer Plan for England, we will take action to raise awareness locally, improve pathways and offer better treatments to ensure more patients survive and live well with cancer than ever before, including for lobular breast cancer.

While uptake of bowel cancer screening has increased, some groups struggle with barriers to engagement, leaving them at risk. We are providing £200m funding for Cancer Alliances, to reduce inequalities in communities among groups where screening uptake is lower.

To further increase coverage, NHS England:

• is delivering new approaches to communicating with people about screening through the NHS App;

• is incorporating the reasonable adjustment flag into screening to ensure people get information in the way they want and adjustments are made to support people at appointments;

• has recently updated the bowel cancer screening leaflets and are updating the bowel cancer screening letters to improve accessibility;

• and has made the bowel cancer screening FIT kit more accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted.

We are also increasing the sensitivity of the screening test from 120ug/g to 80ug/g. By 2028 this will annually detect over 600 more cancers and prevent 2000 cancers by identifying and removing pre-cancerous polyps.

Too many people are still suffering and dying from bowel cancer. We have already taken steps to address this, including expanding the eligible age range for screening so it is now available from age 50 to 74.

And, from this year, we are improving the sensitivity of the screening test. By 2028, each year over 600 more cancers will be detected and 2000 cancers prevented by identifying and removing pre-cancerous polyps.

While uptake of bowel cancer screening has increased, we know that some groups struggle with barriers to engagement, leaving them at risk. We are providing £200m funding for Cancer Alliances, to reduce inequalities in communities among groups where screening uptake is lower.

To further increase coverage, NHS England:

• is delivering new approaches to communicating with people about screening through the NHS App;

• is incorporating the reasonable adjustment flag into screening to ensure people get information in the way they want and adjustments are made to support people at appointments;

• has recently updated the bowel cancer screening leaflets and are updating the bowel cancer screening letters to improve accessibility;

• and has made the bowel cancer screening FIT kit more accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted.

DHSC and NHSE do not hold the information requested. The overall management of people seeking asylum is a matter for the Home Office.

The NHS is a residency-based system; this means that people who do not live here on a lawful, settled basis must contribute to the cost of their care.

When setting up the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, careful consideration has been given to ensuring a diversity of experience, region, and discipline across the maternity and neonatal system.

We recognise that the inclusion of midwifery perspectives and expertise is vital to developing an action plan that drives real, lasting change. For example, its membership includes the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, and the Chief Midwifery Officer at the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

The taskforce will also be supported by a wider range of experts as part of expert reference groups that will bring broader views and perspectives. This includes a dedicated workforce, clinical, and academic group, bringing together Directors of Midwifery with other senior and frontline professionals, ensuring the taskforce benefits from a wide range of perspectives. Other groups span charitable and grassroots organisations, families and seldom heard voices, and regulatory and investigatory bodies.

We recognise the devastating impact of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) on affected families and communities. I addressed this issue during a recent Westminster Hall Debate, underlining the Government’s commitment to strengthening pathology services, ensuring high-quality bereavement support, and growing the evidence base.

To help reduce waitlists for death certification and access to screening, in 2022 NHS England launched a national programme to strengthen National Health Service perinatal and paediatric pathology services.

SUDC is an under-researched area. Through the National Child Mortality Database, we have a growing body of data on child deaths to support high‑quality research that can improve understanding. The Government welcomes research applications on any aspect of child health, including SUDC, through the National Institute of Health and Care Research.

Parents who have lost a child to SUDC should be able to access the advice and support that they need. Bereavement support can be found on the NHS help page, Get help with grief after bereavement or loss, and the GOV.UK page, What to do after someone dies: Bereavement help and support, which are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/

https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/bereavement-help-and-support

NHS Bereavement support is commissioned locally, allowing services to be shaped around the needs of local communities. For anyone seeking help after a bereavement, we encourage them to speak to their general practitioners, who can advise on and refer into local bereavement support services. Department officials are also exploring opportunities to include signposting on the NHS website to SUDC UK, to ensure families have access to information when they need it most.

As part of the cross-Government Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, the Department has committed to roll-out a domestic abuse and sexual violence referral service, “Steps to Safety” across all integrated care boards by 2029.

This will ensure that all clinical and non-clinical staff in general practices in every area of England can connect victims and survivors with specialist services. The programme builds on innovative, evidence-based approaches already operating in England, and will include evaluation of the services in order to continue building a strong evidence base for what works to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

It is the responsibility of local commissioners and providers to ensure the adequacy of all services to patients in rural areas, and that includes Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT).

In 2022, NHS England surveyed OPAT provision across England, and that report is available to health and social care workers on FutureNHS. As part of the Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan 2024-2029, NHS England plans to repeat that survey to assess the impact of the guidance on OPAT provision.

We also note that to support those who are planning to develop OPAT services, including for rural areas, NHS England published guidance on developing OPAT services to integrated care boards and providers in 2025.

The Department for Transport continues to assess the safety impacts of e‑scooters through the rental trials and will share these findings in due course. All vehicles carry inherent safety risks, and we have taken a safety‑first approach by running controlled trials before permitting widespread use.

The second national evaluation of the trials, due to conclude this summer, will provide an updated casualty rate and further evidence to inform decisions on future regulation. The Department of Health and Social Care contributes a public health perspective to this work, including consideration of injury prevention and health impacts.

In the meantime, private e‑scooters remain illegal for use on public roads, and enforcement is a matter for the Police.

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England takes advice on the underlying formula from the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. The formula takes account of population, age, need, and deprivation and health inequality considerations. High deprivation areas receive more funding per capita than low deprivation areas, given other, similar circumstances. ICB allocations for 2026/27 to 2028/29 were published on 17 December 2025, and are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/allocations/

We are committed to ensuring that resources are targeted where they are most needed. As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are gradually ending the practice of providing deficit support funding and moving organisations to what is their fair share of National Health Service funding, worth £2.2 billion in 2025/26. This allows funding to be redirected more quickly to areas with the greatest health need across the country as part of ICB allocations. We are also reviewing the GP funding formula, known as the Carr-Hill formula, to ensure that resources are targeted most effectively.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning services that meet the diverse needs of their local populations, including children. All ICBs in England are required to have an Executive Lead for Children and Young People, to ensure the interests of children are reflected in decision-making.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and ensuring that all children can access timely support that meets their health needs. We are delivering on the vision for neighbourhood health set out in the 10-Year Health Plan to bring care closer to babies, children, and young people. Neighbourhood health services will work together with Best Start Family Hubs, schools, and colleges so that children get support quickly, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

We remain committed to improving patient experience and reducing waiting times across all accident and emergency departments.

While NHS England sets expectations that patients attending accident and emergency departments should receive an initial clinical assessment within 15 minutes, this is guidance rather than a target and as such, performance is not routinely monitored centrally for all trusts for all patients.

Triage is a clinical assessment of a person's presenting need and urgency, and it can be part of the initial clinical assessment or completed prior to it, depending on patients' needs. We do not routinely collect data about the reasons for any delays between these two parts of clinical assessment, where they are conducted separately.

NHS England continues to monitor urgent and emergency care performance through a range of indicators, including waiting times, time to treatment, and overall patient flow. Work is ongoing to improve timely assessment and care, including through investment in workforce, streaming models, and front-door clinical triage.

We remain committed to improving patient experience and reducing waiting times across all accident and emergency departments.

While NHS England sets expectations that patients attending accident and emergency departments should receive an initial clinical assessment within 15 minutes, this is guidance rather than a target and as such, performance is not routinely monitored centrally for all trusts for all patients.

Triage is a clinical assessment of a person's presenting need and urgency, and it can be part of the initial clinical assessment or completed prior to it, depending on patients' needs. We do not routinely collect data about the reasons for any delays between these two parts of clinical assessment, where they are conducted separately.

NHS England continues to monitor urgent and emergency care performance through a range of indicators, including waiting times, time to treatment, and overall patient flow. Work is ongoing to improve timely assessment and care, including through investment in workforce, streaming models, and front-door clinical triage.

The Department, alongside NHS England, is working to improve the conditions for the adoption and scaling of healthcare technology (HealthTech) across the National Health Service.

The Department has developed a National HealthTech Access Programme to provide a clearer national route to funding and adoption for high impact technologies. This draws on existing evaluation and assurance processes, helping to reduce variation following pilot activity. The focus is on technologies with the potential to rapidly improve NHS services and patients' lives, nationwide. The first two technologies to be evaluated by this mechanism are already underway and have the potential to transform early diagnosis of oesophageal, prostate, and breast cancer.

In parallel, the Department and NHS England are supporting trusts to make more consistent procurement decisions through Value Based Procurement standard guidance for medical technology, which is currently at its pilot stage. This enables wider value considerations, alongside cost, to be taken into account during local procurement exercises.

The Department continues to work closely with partners, including NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the NHS Supply Chain, and industry representative bodies to improve, scale, and embed adoption of HealthTech in the NHS.

The Department, alongside NHS England, is working to improve the conditions for the adoption and scaling of healthcare technology (HealthTech) across the National Health Service.

The Department has developed a National HealthTech Access Programme to provide a clearer national route to funding and adoption for high impact technologies. This draws on existing evaluation and assurance processes, helping to reduce variation following pilot activity. The focus is on technologies with the potential to rapidly improve NHS services and patients' lives, nationwide. The first two technologies to be evaluated by this mechanism are already underway and have the potential to transform early diagnosis of oesophageal, prostate, and breast cancer.

In parallel, the Department and NHS England are supporting trusts to make more consistent procurement decisions through Value Based Procurement standard guidance for medical technology, which is currently at its pilot stage. This enables wider value considerations, alongside cost, to be taken into account during local procurement exercises.

The Department continues to work closely with partners, including NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the NHS Supply Chain, and industry representative bodies to improve, scale, and embed adoption of HealthTech in the NHS.

The Department has received correspondence from the NHS Staff Council on this matter.

The Department considers all requests from the NHS Staff Council for a mandate to negotiate and make changes to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service on a case-by-case basis. Changes to policy are considered in light of the available evidence, analysis, and relevant legal advice.

In March, we announced Wave 1 of Neighbourhood Health Centre schemes, with 27 sites across England selected to bring care closer to home 12 hours a day, six days a week, backed by up to £50 million. The schemes will accelerate and build on existing efforts to deliver more integrated, accessible, and community-based care in areas of greatest need, through estates upgrades. These initial sites, including Hinckley, will lay the foundation for national rollout, as we work towards delivering 120 neighbourhood health centres across England by 2030.

Hinckley Health Centre has been allocated a provisional £300,000 for upgrades in 2026/27 to support delivery as a Neighbourhood Health Centre. This is subject to further design work and business case approval.

The risk of infection to the wider population remains low. This is because transmission of meningitis B (MenB) requires close and prolonged contact to spread. Examples of this include living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks or vapes. The bacteria are not as contagious as other infections such as measles and COVID-19.

Decisions on routine vaccination programmes are taken on the basis of independent scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which is an expert scientific advisory committee that advises the Government on vaccination and immunisation matters.

In response to the outbreak of meningitis in Kent on 17 March, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced to the House of Commons, that he has asked JCVI to review its advice on eligibility for vaccination for MenB.

As ever, the Government will carefully consider their advice.

There is established evidence that exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of meningococcal disease. Tobacco smoking increases the risk of meningococcal carriage and meningococcal disease by damaging the nasopharyngeal mucosa and suppressing immune responses.

Vaping could plausibly carry similar risks for carriage but the association with increased risk of disease is unknown.

When either active or passive smoking occurs in an enclosed and intimate setting over a prolonged period, the risk of transmission is increased.

The highest risk of transmission is associated with prolonged exposure to droplets of saliva.

Where there has been repeated or prolonged salivary exposure in an enclosed and intimate venue such as a nightclub, the risk is higher.

There is established evidence that exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of meningococcal disease. Tobacco smoking increases the risk of meningococcal carriage and meningococcal disease by damaging the nasopharyngeal mucosa and suppressing immune responses.

Vaping could plausibly carry similar risks for carriage but the association with increased risk of disease is unknown.

When either active or passive smoking occurs in an enclosed and intimate setting over a prolonged period, the risk of transmission is increased.

The highest risk of transmission is associated with prolonged exposure to droplets of saliva.

Where there has been repeated or prolonged salivary exposure in an enclosed and intimate venue such as a nightclub, the risk is higher.

NHS England is responsible for the operational delivery of the £250 million capital investment to continue expanding same day emergency care and co‑located urgent treatment centres.

NHS England has confirmed that this funding will support 40 schemes in 2025/26, comprising 15 new services and 25 expansions. This includes ten new urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and four UTC expansions, alongside five new same day emergency care (SDEC) services and 21 SDEC expansions.

The schemes were selected based on business cases submitted by National Health Service trusts who will draw down the funding directly.

NHS England is responsible for the operational delivery of the £250 million capital investment to continue expanding same day emergency care and co‑located urgent treatment centres.

NHS England has confirmed that this funding will support 40 schemes in 2025/26, comprising 15 new services and 25 expansions. This includes ten new urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and four UTC expansions, alongside five new same day emergency care (SDEC) services and 21 SDEC expansions.

The schemes were selected based on business cases submitted by National Health Service trusts who will draw down the funding directly.

NHS England recognises the specific challenges that some applicants face, and the UK Foundation Programme runs a process to accommodate the needs of applicants with exceptional circumstances.

The pre-allocation process allows applicants with a health condition or disability who have an absolute requirement to continue receiving specialist healthcare treatment and ongoing follow-up for the condition in a specific location to apply for a foundation school in that area. All pre-allocation requests are reviewed so that the process is as fair and transparent as possible.

All applicants for the Foundation Programme must also complete a Transfer of Information Guidance form which helps foundation schools identify any support or adjustments needed for doctors with health conditions or disabilities.

If necessary, doctors with a health condition or disability may additionally apply for a transfer to a specific foundation school once allocated, as part of the Inter-foundation School Transfer process.

The Department has not issued any specific guidance for Iranians with health conditions who are visiting the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Social Care has not engaged in discussions with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office concerning Iranians visiting the UK who require cancer treatment.

In England, the National Health Service is a residency‑based system and only those who are ordinarily resident in the UK, or otherwise exempt under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015, are entitled to NHS care without charge, however, decisions about whether treatment is provided are always made by clinicians on the basis of clinical need, and urgent or immediately necessary care must not be delayed or denied because of charging considerations.

The Department has not issued any specific guidance for Iranians with health conditions who are visiting the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Social Care has not engaged in discussions with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office concerning Iranians visiting the UK who require cancer treatment.

In England, the National Health Service is a residency‑based system and only those who are ordinarily resident in the UK, or otherwise exempt under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015, are entitled to NHS care without charge, however, decisions about whether treatment is provided are always made by clinicians on the basis of clinical need, and urgent or immediately necessary care must not be delayed or denied because of charging considerations.

The information requested is not held centrally. Annual payments, which include facilities management services, under Private Finance Initiative contracts are published annually by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pfi-and-pf2-projects-2024-summary-data

Expenditure on medicines is held by NHS England.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave the Rt Hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings on 30 March 2026 to Question 121274.

Although the Department holds data on performance markings, it does not centrally record the number of employees on performance management plans and therefore cannot provide figures for 2023, 2024, or 2025. Senior Civil Servants (SCS) and delegated grades, non-SCS, operate under different performance management frameworks.

SCS follow the Cabinet Office-prescribed SCS framework and should have at least quarterly performance conversations, at which ratings are provided. If an SCS receives the lowest performance rating for two consecutive quarters, a performance development plan is put in place with appropriate support. If the lowest rating continues, there is an expectation that the individual is placed on formal poor performance measures in line with the SCS framework.

Delegated grades follow the Department’s Performance Health Check policy and receive mid and end of year performance ratings, supported by monthly performance conversations. Where a delegated grade performance falls below the expected standard, managers must take early, supportive action through regular performance conversations, before deciding on whether any informal or formal action is required under the Supporting Performance Improvement policy and procedure.