Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a delivery plan that includes (a) who is responsible for each of the actions in the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England, (b) when they will be delivered and (c) what the metrics are for determining the effectiveness of the programme.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.
NHS England will be monitoring and evaluating the success of all the individual activities included with its elimination plan and new initiatives as they are developed and implemented. In addition, the World Health Organisation’s cervical cancer elimination targets will be used as the basis for ongoing monitoring, along with regular assessment of cervical cancer rates.
Achieving cervical cancer elimination is a long-term goal that depends on joined up delivery of HPV vaccination and cervical screening programmes at national, regional, and integrated care board (ICB) level.
ICBs are well placed to understand the needs of their local populations and work with partners to offer services that meet those needs. They are best positioned to plan vaccination and screening services, using the recommendations set out in the cervical cancer elimination plan.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of self-sampling on reaching under-screened populations for cervical cancer; and what estimate he has made of the uptake of (a) in-clinic and (b) at-home self-sampling options.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.
As part of this, NHS England is transforming its approach to cervical screening for under-screened women. From early 2026, they will be offered a home testing kit, starting with those who are the most overdue for screening. This will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from life-saving screening.
National and international evidence suggests that offering the option of HPV self-testing in under-screened groups could help overcome some of the barriers to taking part in cervical screening, leading to improved participation, and ultimately preventing more cervical cancers and associated deaths.
The equality impact assessment on the introduction of human papilloma virus (HPV) self-sampling for the under-screened population in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-hpv-self-sampling-impact-assessments
The self-testing kits, which detect HPV, allow people to carry out this testing in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.
Self-testing specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments, with younger people, ethnic minority communities facing cultural hurdles, people with a disability, and LGBT+ people all set to benefit. Those who are HPV positive on their self-test will need to be followed up with a clinician for a cervical screening test, so it is acknowledged that not all barriers to attendance will be removed with the implementation of self-testing.
Therefore, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in participation from groups that are under screened. NHS England will monitor and evaluate the impact of this programme.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish a consultation on access to naloxone.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Naloxone is a lifesaving medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, including highly potent synthetic opioids which are growing in prevalence in the United Kingdom. It is more important than ever to increase access to naloxone products, which will save lives.
In 2024, the Department amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. The legislation enabled more services and professionals to supply this medication, making it easier to access for people at risk, and for their loved ones.
Since then, the Government has launched a ten-week UK-wide public consultation on further legislative options to expand access to take-home and emergency use naloxone.
This a central part of the government’s comprehensive approach to drug and alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery, supported by £3.4 billion of funding delivered through the Public Health Grant over the next three years.
The Department has also published guidance, Supplying take home naloxone without a prescription, that sets out essential practical information such as who can supply naloxone, the products available, how to use naloxone and other basic lifesaving tools, and the training required. This guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supplying-take-home-naloxone-without-a-prescription
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the average waiting time for an ADHD assessment in a) England, b) the North West and c) the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board area.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support system to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs. The most recent management information is available at the following link:
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025
Data on ADHD waiting times at an ICB level is not currently held centrally. NHS England intends to publish data at ICB level in 2026/27.
NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the taskforce's final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the NHS fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.
My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The purpose of the review is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on evidence on trends in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in the population over the last decade, including how these changes have affected demand for NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services, including assessment.
The independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are on a waiting list for an ADHD assessment in a) England, b) the North West and c) the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board area.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support system to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs. The most recent management information is available at the following link:
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025
Data on ADHD waiting times at an ICB level is not currently held centrally. NHS England intends to publish data at ICB level in 2026/27.
NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the taskforce's final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the NHS fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.
My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The purpose of the review is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on evidence on trends in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in the population over the last decade, including how these changes have affected demand for NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services, including assessment.
The independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure equitable access to funding for IVF surrogacy for people post cancer treatment.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Funding decisions for fertility services, including cases where a surrogate may be involved, are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), which are responsible for commissioning services based on the clinical needs of their populations. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines to support fair and consistent access across England.
NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether its current recommendations for access to National Health Service funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September and closed on 21 October 2025. The outcome of this review will support ICBs in making commissioning decisions that promote equitable access to fertility services, including for those whose fertility has been affected by medical treatment such as cancer.
Work continues between the Department and NHS England to analyse the current understanding and provision of NHS funded fertility services and address longstanding variation in access.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the drug Vorsidenib (Voranigo) to be made available to treat adults and children aged 12 years and over with grade 2 astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma carrying a susceptible IDH1 or IDH2 mutation.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that makes evidence-based recommendations on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE is currently evaluating vorasidenib for treating astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma with IDH1 or IDH2 mutations after surgery in people 12 years old and over.
NICE published its draft guidance for consultation on 15 October and was unable to recommend it as a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources. The appraisal is still ongoing, and NICE will take the comments received fully into account in developing its final recommendations. The committee reviewed the consultation comments at the committee meeting on 20 November 2025. NICE currently expect to publish final guidance in January 2026.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timeline is for the establishment of the naloxone supply network coordinators.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Naloxone is a lifesaving medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, including highly potent synthetic opioids which are growing in prevalence in the United Kingdom. It is more important than ever to increase access to naloxone products, which will save lives.
Last year, the Department amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to further expand access to naloxone. The legislation enabled more services and professionals to supply this medication, making it easier to access for people at risk, and for their loved ones.
Route 1 of the legislation increased the number of services and professionals specified in regulations who can provide take home naloxone. However, not all services and professions had an agreed statutory definition across the four nations of the UK. As such, route 2 of the legislation set up the legal framework, which includes supply network coordinators, for the creation of a registration service for services and professions who fall outside the definitions listed in route 1 to apply and to be able to provide take home naloxone. These legislative changes were the first step in expanding access to naloxone, which has resulted in naloxone being more readily available to supply in the community. Since these changes came into effect, the Government has worked with the devolved administrations and front-line services to explore the set-up and delivery of this registration service. We have encountered operational difficulties in establishing supply network co-ordinators in England which has delayed implementation. However, we have identified further legislative amendments to increase access to take-home and emergency use naloxone and, as such, we intend to launch a public consultation by the end of this year.
The Department has also published guidance, Supplying take home naloxone without a prescription, that sets out essential practical information such as who can supply naloxone, the products available, how to use naloxone and other basic lifesaving tools, and the training required. This guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supplying-take-home-naloxone-without-a-prescription
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NHS England's plan entitled Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England, published on 28 March 2025, if his Department will set out (a) who is responsible for each of the actions in that plan, (b) when those actions will be delivered by and (c) what the metrics are for success.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to improving vaccine uptake and access across all immunisation programmes by exploring new and innovative delivery models, including expanding routes such as community pharmacies, as set out in the NHS Vaccination Strategy and the 10-Year Health Plan for England.
In June, the UK National Screening Committee, which advises ministers on all aspects of screening, recommended a human papilloma virus (HPV) self-sampling option to women and people with a cervix who never or rarely attend routine cervical screening appointments. From early in 2026, they will receive home testing kits if they have not responded to a cervical screening invitation for a period of time. This will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from life-saving screening.
The World Health Organisation’s cervical cancer elimination targets will be used as the basis for ongoing monitoring, along with the regular assessment of cervical cancer rates.
NHS England will be monitoring and evaluating the success of all the individual activities included within its elimination plan, as well as new initiatives as they are developed and implemented.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the database of AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine side effects was last updated.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for monitoring all authorised medicines and vaccines in the United Kingdom, including the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, on an ongoing basis to ensure their benefits continue to outweigh any risks. This monitoring strategy is continuous, proactive, and based on a wide range of information sources, including reports of adverse events and rare side effects retrieved from the Yellow Card Database. A dedicated team of assessors reviews this information on a weekly basis to look for safety issues or unexpected, rare events.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine no longer has an active market authorisation in the UK, since 2024. Consequently, no additional research activities have been undertaken beyond the ongoing monitoring of reported suspected adverse events through the Yellow Card Scheme. The most recent data extraction of spontaneous suspected adverse reactions reported via the Yellow Card Scheme was conducted on 20 September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:
https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/idaps/CHADOX1%20NCOV-19