Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of NHS procurement processes on the ability of innovative SMEs to bring new products and services into the NHS.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In 2025/26, 10.5% of procurement expenditure for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its arm’s-length bodies was awarded directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DHSC does not centrally collect or hold equivalent data for National Health Service trusts or integrated care boards, which manage and report on their own procurement activity.
DHSC works regularly with colleagues across Government, including the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, on matters relating to procurement, economic growth, and investment. This includes consideration of how public procurement and NHS purchasing power can support growth, innovation, and opportunities across the United Kingdom, including for SMEs.
As a leading employer across the country, the NHS also continues to play its full part in supporting growth, training, and employment in local communities, in line with the Government's broader economic goals, and that includes ensuring procurement opportunities are available and accessible to SMEs.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate her Department has made of the administrative burden and costs incurred by SMEs when applying for NHS procurement opportunities.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In 2025/26, 10.5% of procurement expenditure for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its arm’s-length bodies was awarded directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DHSC does not centrally collect or hold equivalent data for National Health Service trusts or integrated care boards, which manage and report on their own procurement activity.
DHSC works regularly with colleagues across Government, including the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, on matters relating to procurement, economic growth, and investment. This includes consideration of how public procurement and NHS purchasing power can support growth, innovation, and opportunities across the United Kingdom, including for SMEs.
As a leading employer across the country, the NHS also continues to play its full part in supporting growth, training, and employment in local communities, in line with the Government's broader economic goals, and that includes ensuring procurement opportunities are available and accessible to SMEs.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of NHS procurement expenditure was awarded directly to small and medium-sized enterprises in each of the last five financial years.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In 2025/26, 10.5% of procurement expenditure for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its arm’s-length bodies was awarded directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DHSC does not centrally collect or hold equivalent data for National Health Service trusts or integrated care boards, which manage and report on their own procurement activity.
DHSC works regularly with colleagues across Government, including the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, on matters relating to procurement, economic growth, and investment. This includes consideration of how public procurement and NHS purchasing power can support growth, innovation, and opportunities across the United Kingdom, including for SMEs.
As a leading employer across the country, the NHS also continues to play its full part in supporting growth, training, and employment in local communities, in line with the Government's broader economic goals, and that includes ensuring procurement opportunities are available and accessible to SMEs.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the response of 23 February 2026 to question 112545, what progress she has made on securing a reliable supply of testosterone and oestrogen HRT implants.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are continuing to work closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to ensure safe access to these products.
We have reached out to specialist importers in order to find alternative sources of both oestrogen and testosterone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) implants, which are not currently licensed in the United Kingdom, and it remains the case that the decision to prescribe an unlicensed imported medicine sits with the prescriber.
The MHRA is also working closely with current importers of the product and encouraging applications to supply products through the licenced medicines route.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2026 to UIN 10804, when the UK National Screening Committee will next review the evidence for whether screening for Group B Streptococcus should be routinely offered during pregnancy.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
There is nothing to add at this time to the answer cited in the Hon. Member’s question. When there is new information available, the Hon. Member will be updated in the normal way.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has she made of the potential merits of appointing a brain cancer lead in her Department.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Further to the answer provided on 25 June in response to Question 9944, I refer the Hon. Members to the press release published on GOV.UK on 14 October concerning new action the Government is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer, which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brain-cancer-patients-to-see-faster-development-of-new-treatments
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to support carers who take care of people with rare cancers.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Further to the answer provided on 25 June in response to Question 9944, I refer the Hon. Members to the press release published on GOV.UK on 14 October concerning new action the Government is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer, which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brain-cancer-patients-to-see-faster-development-of-new-treatments
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the means to improve diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Further to the answer provided on 25 June in response to Question 9944, I refer the Hon. Members to the press release published on GOV.UK on 14 October concerning new action the Government is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer, which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brain-cancer-patients-to-see-faster-development-of-new-treatments
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve innovation and technology for brain cancer treatment.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Further to the answer provided on 25 June in response to Question 9944, I refer the Hon. Members to the press release published on GOV.UK on 14 October concerning new action the Government is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer, which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brain-cancer-patients-to-see-faster-development-of-new-treatments
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help increase the use of clinical trials for research into pancreatic cancer.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 15 July in response to Question 16704.