Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the independent investigation of the activities of the orthopaedic surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital by Verita, published on 29 October, and whether it informed the duty of candour and assistance proposed in the Public Office (Accountability) Bill.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 19 November 2025, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety met with a number of families to discuss how they have been impacted by surgeries carried out by Kuldeep Stohr, and also considered the report by Verita, published on 29 October 2025, into the missed opportunities by the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH). The report made for difficult reading and highlighted multiple missed opportunities in clinical oversight, leadership, and governance to address concerns that were previously raised about Ms Stohr’s clinical practice.

The trust board has accepted the findings and recommendations of the Verita investigation in full and is committed to delivering systemic and transparent change. The Government is assured that NHS England, the Care Quality Commission, the integrated care board, and Healthwatch will provide independent assurance that the trust is fully implementing all recommendations, ensuring accountability, transparency, and measurable improvements in patient safety. The trust is also establishing a new Patient Advisory Board and Young Patients’ Advisory Board to ensure that the CUH’s response delivers meaningful and patient-centred improvement.

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill was published on 16 September 2025. The duty of candour and assistance in the bill was not informed by the Verita report. The bill responds to long-standing demands for openness and transparency from families affected by major institutional failures such as those seen in Hillsborough as well as the Horizon and Infected Blood scandals.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what data they collect on the annual consumption of handmade cigars.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Currently there is no agreed definition of what constitutes a handmade cigar, therefore there is no Government data collected on their annual consumption.

However, there is data on cigar usage from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project which is produced every two years. In 2024 in England, of adults aged 18 years old or older who currently smoke or quit in the past two years or who currently use vapes, heated tobacco produces, and/or oral nicotine products, 5.1% reported past 30-day use of cigars.

Additionally, HM Revenue and Customs publishes data on clearances of tobacco products which relates to the amount of tobacco products cleared onto the United Kingdom’s market for sale. This data is published every month.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for a national campaign to ensure men at increased risk of prostate cancer are aware of this risk and of their right to request a free prostate-specific antigen test.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 28 November, the UK National Screening Committee opened a 12-week public consultation on a draft recommendation on screening for prostate cancer. We anticipate a final recommendation in early 2026. After which, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, will make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation, and what next steps are needed, including whether a public health campaign would be appropriate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what response they plan to provide to the comments submitted by EU member states to the Technical Regulation Information System notification detail on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, notification number 2025/7022/XI.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government intends to respond to the European Commission by the 18 February, in line with requirements under the Technical Regulatory Information System (TRIS) procedure. This exchange of opinions and responses is a standard part of the TRIS procedure which is not an approval process. The Government’s position remains that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will apply in Northern Ireland and is consistent with both our domestic and international obligations.