Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 5 June (HL108), what steps they are taking to ensure that delivery of NHS Health Checks is better incentivised across primary care and local systems.

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

The NHS Health Check (NHS HC) programme is commissioned by local authorities who are responsible for offering 100% of their eligible resident population a check every five years.

The Government's Public Health Grant to local authorities is used to enable the programme's provision and allows local authorities to ensure that delivery of the NHS HC is aligned with local public health services and fits their local population.

The programme's Best Practice Guidance provides commissioners and their providers with information on how to deliver the programme effectively, and how to adopt a proportionate universalist approach to ensure that checks are delivered in a way that prioritises resources and effort towards engaging people at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Department officials are considering options to improve the NHS HC programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether data from cholesterol and lipid testing undertaken through the NHS Health Check Online pilot will be recorded in patient records and used to support follow-up care, including lipid optimisation where clinically indicated.

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

The NHS Health Check Online (NHSHC-O) is in the private Beta testing phase and is being piloted in 11 local authorities across England. As part of the NHSHC-O, users receive a self-sampling capillary blood testing kit, delivered to their home, to measure cholesterol, and, if appropriate, HbA1c. Samples are then sent to a United Kingdom Accreditation Service accredited laboratory for assessment.

All results from the NHSHC-O are automatically written back into the patient's electronic health record. General practices are notified if a patient's results indicate that further assessment is necessary and, if required, undertake further clinical investigation and treatment where appropriate, in line with existing clinical pathways.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 5 June (HL108), what steps they are taking to ensure that improvements to the NHS Health Check programme are targeted towards communities experiencing the greatest health inequalities.

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

The NHS Health Check (NHS HC) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of adults aged 40 to 74 years old through the promotion of early awareness, assessment, and management of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), risk factors that are associated with premature death, disability, and health inequalities in England. Improving uptake of the programme, including for people at the highest risk and experiencing inequalities, is a priority for the programme.

The NHS Health Check Online is currently being tested in 11 local authorities across England and aims to increase access and engagement with the programme for all population groups, by allowing people to undertake their NHS Health Check at home, at a time and place convenient to them, freeing up in-person NHS HCs for those who want or need more support.

The recently published Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) sets out the 10-year ambition to systematically identify individuals with established or emerging cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic risk factors, including via the NHS HC, whilst reducing the variation in the number of people receiving a check between the best and worst performing areas nationally. A delivery plan will be published later this year to support local implementation of the CVD MSF.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 5 June (HL108), what steps they are taking to strengthen lipid management pathways, including diagnosis, referral, treatment optimisation and long-term monitoring, for people at risk of cardiovascular disease.

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

The NHS Health Check programme, a core component of England's cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, assesses the top risk factors for CVD, including raised cholesterol, in eligible people and refers them to further support through behavioural interventions, clinical assessment, and treatment where appropriate. For every 1.4 million NHS Health Checks delivered annually, 900,000 people are found to have raised cholesterol level. We are also developing the NHS Health Check Online to improve access and help more people understand and act on their risk factors.

Furthermore, NHS England is strengthening lipid management by improving identification of people at risk of CVD through risk assessment, case finding, and community-based initiatives, including pharmacy-led approaches and cholesterol point of care testing.

The Government recently published the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, which sets out priorities for the health and care system to accelerate progress on the ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke by 25% within the next decade. Identifying people with high cholesterol and optimising lipid management for people with high cholesterol are amongst the priorities for the health and care system.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that adult social care in England is provided free at the point of use on the same principle as the National Health Service.

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

On 29 July, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set out the Government’s plans to fix the social care system, so that it gives people dignity, security and support when they need it most. This includes integrating the social care workforce with the NHS workforce, creating routes for progression, better pay, training and job security. The Prime Minister confirmed that he would bring forward the date for Baroness Casey’s Commission to report back with a plan on how to deliver the National Care Service, accelerating this from 2028 to next summer.

In his statement announcing these plans, the Prime Minister set out the four core principles behind the National Care Service that the Government will build:

• It must allow people to move seamlessly between hospitals, home care and community services;
• It must be fully and sustainably funded;
• It must start with prevention, supporting people to live independently for longer; and
• Citizens’ needs must be at the heart of plans, removing budget battle lines between organisations and making sure local social, primary and community care works together effectively.

In an effort to begin a new discussion on this issue and drive cooperation across party lines, the Prime Minister immediately invited the leaders of the two main opposition parties to meet with him to discuss the plans and mark the start of a new approach.

Also on 29 July, Baroness Casey launched the Big Conversation on Care, designed to ensure that the public for whom the social care system exists can have their full say in its future. This will ensure that, when the final report of Baroness Casey’s Commission is submitted to the Government next year, it will be able to set out a deliverable and realistic plan to implement solutions with the public’s backing, designed in the interests of those that the social care system are there to serve.

Alongside the Big Conversation, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will chair a new ministerial group to accelerate the government’s response on social care, including workforce, system reform and delivery of the first recommendations from Baroness Casey’s Commission. This will include work towards appointing a Dementia Tsar later this summer to help drive forward much-needed improvements.

To ensure momentum continues on this work, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will meet regularly with Baroness Casey and her team, to track progress on delivering against the core principles of the proposed reforms, as the national conversation and cross-party talks continue.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a green paper or white paper on adult social care reform, and by when.

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

On 29 July, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set out the Government’s plans to fix the social care system, so that it gives people dignity, security and support when they need it most. This includes integrating the social care workforce with the NHS workforce, creating routes for progression, better pay, training and job security. The Prime Minister confirmed that he would bring forward the date for Baroness Casey’s Commission to report back with a plan on how to deliver the National Care Service, accelerating this from 2028 to next summer.

In his statement announcing these plans, the Prime Minister set out the four core principles behind the National Care Service that the Government will build:

• It must allow people to move seamlessly between hospitals, home care and community services;
• It must be fully and sustainably funded;
• It must start with prevention, supporting people to live independently for longer; and
• Citizens’ needs must be at the heart of plans, removing budget battle lines between organisations and making sure local social, primary and community care works together effectively.

In an effort to begin a new discussion on this issue and drive cooperation across party lines, the Prime Minister immediately invited the leaders of the two main opposition parties to meet with him to discuss the plans and mark the start of a new approach.

Also on 29 July, Baroness Casey launched the Big Conversation on Care, designed to ensure that the public for whom the social care system exists can have their full say in its future. This will ensure that, when the final report of Baroness Casey’s Commission is submitted to the Government next year, it will be able to set out a deliverable and realistic plan to implement solutions with the public’s backing, designed in the interests of those that the social care system are there to serve.

Alongside the Big Conversation, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will chair a new ministerial group to accelerate the government’s response on social care, including workforce, system reform and delivery of the first recommendations from Baroness Casey’s Commission. This will include work towards appointing a Dementia Tsar later this summer to help drive forward much-needed improvements.

To ensure momentum continues on this work, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will meet regularly with Baroness Casey and her team, to track progress on delivering against the core principles of the proposed reforms, as the national conversation and cross-party talks continue.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of providing adult social care free at the point of use, including the impact on the statutory responsibilities and funding of local authorities.

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

On 29 July, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set out the Government’s plans to fix the social care system, so that it gives people dignity, security and support when they need it most. This includes integrating the social care workforce with the NHS workforce, creating routes for progression, better pay, training and job security. The Prime Minister confirmed that he would bring forward the date for Baroness Casey’s Commission to report back with a plan on how to deliver the National Care Service, accelerating this from 2028 to next summer.

In his statement announcing these plans, the Prime Minister set out the four core principles behind the National Care Service that the Government will build:

• It must allow people to move seamlessly between hospitals, home care and community services;
• It must be fully and sustainably funded;
• It must start with prevention, supporting people to live independently for longer; and
• Citizens’ needs must be at the heart of plans, removing budget battle lines between organisations and making sure local social, primary and community care works together effectively.

In an effort to begin a new discussion on this issue and drive cooperation across party lines, the Prime Minister immediately invited the leaders of the two main opposition parties to meet with him to discuss the plans and mark the start of a new approach.

Also on 29 July, Baroness Casey launched the Big Conversation on Care, designed to ensure that the public for whom the social care system exists can have their full say in its future. This will ensure that, when the final report of Baroness Casey’s Commission is submitted to the Government next year, it will be able to set out a deliverable and realistic plan to implement solutions with the public’s backing, designed in the interests of those that the social care system are there to serve.

Alongside the Big Conversation, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will chair a new ministerial group to accelerate the government’s response on social care, including workforce, system reform and delivery of the first recommendations from Baroness Casey’s Commission. This will include work towards appointing a Dementia Tsar later this summer to help drive forward much-needed improvements.

To ensure momentum continues on this work, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will meet regularly with Baroness Casey and her team, to track progress on delivering against the core principles of the proposed reforms, as the national conversation and cross-party talks continue.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to bring forward legislation to establish a National Care Service; and if so, when.

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

On 29 July, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set out the Government’s plans to fix the social care system, so that it gives people dignity, security and support when they need it most. This includes integrating the social care workforce with the NHS workforce, creating routes for progression, better pay, training and job security. The Prime Minister confirmed that he would bring forward the date for Baroness Casey’s Commission to report back with a plan on how to deliver the National Care Service, accelerating this from 2028 to next summer.

In his statement announcing these plans, the Prime Minister set out the four core principles behind the National Care Service that the Government will build:

• It must allow people to move seamlessly between hospitals, home care and community services;
• It must be fully and sustainably funded;
• It must start with prevention, supporting people to live independently for longer; and
• Citizens’ needs must be at the heart of plans, removing budget battle lines between organisations and making sure local social, primary and community care works together effectively.

In an effort to begin a new discussion on this issue and drive cooperation across party lines, the Prime Minister immediately invited the leaders of the two main opposition parties to meet with him to discuss the plans and mark the start of a new approach.

Also on 29 July, Baroness Casey launched the Big Conversation on Care, designed to ensure that the public for whom the social care system exists can have their full say in its future. This will ensure that, when the final report of Baroness Casey’s Commission is submitted to the Government next year, it will be able to set out a deliverable and realistic plan to implement solutions with the public’s backing, designed in the interests of those that the social care system are there to serve.

Alongside the Big Conversation, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will chair a new ministerial group to accelerate the government’s response on social care, including workforce, system reform and delivery of the first recommendations from Baroness Casey’s Commission. This will include work towards appointing a Dementia Tsar later this summer to help drive forward much-needed improvements.

To ensure momentum continues on this work, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will meet regularly with Baroness Casey and her team, to track progress on delivering against the core principles of the proposed reforms, as the national conversation and cross-party talks continue.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what data they collect on the number of patients with dental issues who present at (1) accident and emergency departments, and (2) GP surgeries.

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

The specific data requested is not centrally collated, although the Noble Lord can find general information on A&E attendances disaggregated by primary diagnosis in NHS England’s annual publications on Hospital Accident & Emergency Activity.

The Government is committed to ensuring that people can access urgent National Health Service dental care when they need it. We have introduced a package of reforms from April this year to address some of the pressing issues that dentists and dental teams have been experiencing. This includes introducing a requirement for NHS dental practices to deliver a set proportion of their contract as urgent care, supported by increased payments for delivering this care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to expand the number of specialist training posts and consultant posts in clinical immunology, in light of the Royal College of Pathologists' Clinical Immunology Workforce Report 2025, published in September 2025.

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

On 29 June 2026, the British Medical Association Resident Doctors Committee announced that their membership had voted to accept an offer from the Government to resolve their dispute on pay and jobs. The deal for resident doctors includes the introduction of up to 4,500 specialty training places over the next three years, including 1,000 next year, 250 of which will be starting in February 2027. Further information on which specialties will receive these places and when will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 4 June 2026 (HL683), what plans they have to increase the number of services subject to patients' right to choose, particularly non-consultant led community services.

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

The Government is committed to strengthening patient choice, through the mechanisms set out to the Noble Lord in the answer to which his question refers.

In terms of the current statutory rights to choice set out in the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups Regulations 2012, any future expansion of those legal rights would require a thorough evidence-based assessment to ensure that it would be deliverable within the current system, support safe and high-quality care, and provide meaningful benefits for patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the forthcoming Refreshed Workforce Plan will contain specific commitments to increase the number of neuro-oncologists in England.

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

We will provide an update on the 10 Year Workforce Plan in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult on the future of the NHS Health Check programme following the pilot of NHS Health Check Online.

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

The NHS Health Check Online is in the private Beta testing phase and is being piloted in local authorities across England. Insights from the testing phase will inform decisions on next steps such as whether further development is needed.

Department officials are considering opportunities to improve the NHS Health Check programme as part of ongoing policy work for the programme. We continue to engage with the programme’s dedicated Advisory Group and its Scientific and Clinical subgroup, ensuring expert advice is at the centre of any future proposals.

Alongside this, as announced in the recently published Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, we have commissioned the National Institute for Health and Care Research to conduct an evidence review on the scope of the NHS Health Check to inform future policy decisions.

Found: second reading’, 22 June 2026 • Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury, ‘Letter to Lord Kamall

Found: Letter from Lord Stockwood to Lord Kamall regarding ring fencing and impacts on bank resolution regime

Found: Aderonke Savage David Sayer Ishika Nita Clarke Michael Clancy Stephen Hill OBE Robert Leeming Lord Kamall

Found: Aderonke Savage David Sayer Ishika Nita Clarke Michael Clancy Stephen Hill OBE Robert Leeming Lord Kamall