Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of recent trends in diagnosis times for women with endometriosis.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.
As announced in September 2025, we will establish an online hospital, via NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.
Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis sooner.
The General Medical Council has introduced the Medical Licensing Assessment from the academic year 2024/25. The content map for this assessment includes several topics relating to women’s health including menstrual problems, endometriosis, menopause, and urinary incontinence. This will encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom.
In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated their guideline on endometriosis to make firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with a suspected diagnosis, which will help the estimated one in 10 women with endometriosis to receive a diagnosis faster. NICE is working with the National Health Service to ensure adoption of this best practice endometriosis care.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
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 reduce diagnosis times for women with endometriosis.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.
As announced in September 2025, we will establish an online hospital, via NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.
Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis sooner.
The General Medical Council has introduced the Medical Licensing Assessment from the academic year 2024/25. The content map for this assessment includes several topics relating to women’s health including menstrual problems, endometriosis, menopause, and urinary incontinence. This will encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom.
In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated their guideline on endometriosis to make firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with a suspected diagnosis, which will help the estimated one in 10 women with endometriosis to receive a diagnosis faster. NICE is working with the National Health Service to ensure adoption of this best practice endometriosis care.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
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 that people experiencing hair loss can access suitable mental health support.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise that hair loss can have a significant emotional impact, and people affected should be able to access appropriate mental health support, if and when they need it.
The Government is increasing access to mental health services across the spectrum of need. This includes expanding NHS Talking Therapies, which provide effective treatment for common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, and growing Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges to ensure children and young people can receive early support. This is supported by the recruitment of almost 8,000 additional mental health staff, against our target of 8,500 by the end of this Parliament.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
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 support people experiencing hair loss from (a) alopecia and (b) cancer treatment.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Individual National Health Service trusts are responsible for the provision of information and advice for patients about hair loss services.
NHS England does not collect information centrally about these services but expects there to be clear pathways around hair loss services in each NHS trust, including preventative care, such as scalp cooling, and psychological support around hair loss, and signposting to wig suppliers. The current NHS Supply Chain Wigs Framework Agreement was awarded to 42 suppliers and provides a range of wigs, both real and synthetic, headwear products to provide alternative choice to patients, and maintenance, styling, alteration, and repair services.
NHS England also expects NHS trusts to provide workshops such as headscarf tying, and eyebrow/lash make up and care, among other related services. There will also be provision at appropriate NHS trusts for children and young people. NHS.Net provides clear information on what can be provided and what costs are covered for wigs and fabric support, including advice for patients on a low income. Further information is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/wigs-and-fabric-supports-on-the-nhs/
Cancer charity support centres also provide advice and support on hair loss, including the national charity Cancer Hair Care, with further information available at the following link:
https://www.cancerhaircare.co.uk/
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
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 make affordable hair systems more available for people experiencing hair loss.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Individual National Health Service trusts are responsible for the provision of information and advice for patients about hair loss services.
NHS England does not collect information centrally about these services but expects there to be clear pathways around hair loss services in each NHS trust, including preventative care, such as scalp cooling, and psychological support around hair loss, and signposting to wig suppliers. The current NHS Supply Chain Wigs Framework Agreement was awarded to 42 suppliers and provides a range of wigs, both real and synthetic, headwear products to provide alternative choice to patients, and maintenance, styling, alteration, and repair services.
NHS England also expects NHS trusts to provide workshops such as headscarf tying, and eyebrow/lash make up and care, among other related services. There will also be provision at appropriate NHS trusts for children and young people. NHS.Net provides clear information on what can be provided and what costs are covered for wigs and fabric support, including advice for patients on a low income. Further information is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/wigs-and-fabric-supports-on-the-nhs/
Cancer charity support centres also provide advice and support on hair loss, including the national charity Cancer Hair Care, with further information available at the following link:
https://www.cancerhaircare.co.uk/
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the cost of women's hair systems.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Individual National Health Service trusts are responsible for the provision of information and advice for patients about hair loss services.
NHS England does not collect information centrally about these services but expects there to be clear pathways around hair loss services in each NHS trust, including preventative care, such as scalp cooling, and psychological support around hair loss, and signposting to wig suppliers. The current NHS Supply Chain Wigs Framework Agreement was awarded to 42 suppliers and provides a range of wigs, both real and synthetic, headwear products to provide alternative choice to patients, and maintenance, styling, alteration, and repair services.
NHS England also expects NHS trusts to provide workshops such as headscarf tying, and eyebrow/lash make up and care, among other related services. There will also be provision at appropriate NHS trusts for children and young people. NHS.Net provides clear information on what can be provided and what costs are covered for wigs and fabric support, including advice for patients on a low income. Further information is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/wigs-and-fabric-supports-on-the-nhs/
Cancer charity support centres also provide advice and support on hair loss, including the national charity Cancer Hair Care, with further information available at the following link:
https://www.cancerhaircare.co.uk/
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how long the waiting times are for an NHS audiology appointment in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to bring down the size of the list and reduce waiting times, including for audiology.
The Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are taking a number of steps to improve the provision of audiology services. These include the building of a new soundproof booth to boost testing capacity and transforming some paediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) pathways for direct audiology follow-ups. The trust is also improving ENT triage to ensure that patients with potential hearing loss are seen and assessed as soon as possible.
Waiting times for NHS audiology appointments are captured across a number of different data publications. Monthly diagnostics waiting times and activity data for 15 key diagnostic tests and procedures, including audiology assessments, is published at the following link:
As of the end of December 2025, the latest available data, only three of 501 waits, or 0.6%, for an audiology assessment at the Ashfield constituency’s local NHS trust, the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, were waiting more than six weeks. That’s better than the NHS constitutional standard of 1% and the national average of 45.5%. Since the end of June 2024, audiology assessment performance has improved by 25% in the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB. The following table shows audiology assessment performance at the local trust, local ICB, and national level:
Area | Percentage of audiology assessment waits of over six weeks in June 2024 | Percentage of audiology assessment waits of over six weeks in December 2025 (latest available data) |
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 0.4% | 0.6% |
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB | 63.4% | 38.4% |
England | 44.9% | 45.5% |
Data is also published on community health services waiting lists, which includes waiting times for community audiology services. This is published at the following link:
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
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 improve the provision of NHS audiology services in Ashfield constituency.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to bring down the size of the list and reduce waiting times, including for audiology.
The Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are taking a number of steps to improve the provision of audiology services. These include the building of a new soundproof booth to boost testing capacity and transforming some paediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) pathways for direct audiology follow-ups. The trust is also improving ENT triage to ensure that patients with potential hearing loss are seen and assessed as soon as possible.
Waiting times for NHS audiology appointments are captured across a number of different data publications. Monthly diagnostics waiting times and activity data for 15 key diagnostic tests and procedures, including audiology assessments, is published at the following link:
As of the end of December 2025, the latest available data, only three of 501 waits, or 0.6%, for an audiology assessment at the Ashfield constituency’s local NHS trust, the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, were waiting more than six weeks. That’s better than the NHS constitutional standard of 1% and the national average of 45.5%. Since the end of June 2024, audiology assessment performance has improved by 25% in the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB. The following table shows audiology assessment performance at the local trust, local ICB, and national level:
Area | Percentage of audiology assessment waits of over six weeks in June 2024 | Percentage of audiology assessment waits of over six weeks in December 2025 (latest available data) |
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 0.4% | 0.6% |
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB | 63.4% | 38.4% |
England | 44.9% | 45.5% |
Data is also published on community health services waiting lists, which includes waiting times for community audiology services. This is published at the following link:
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to increase the number of science parks in the UK.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government is ensuring that everyone benefits from innovation-led economic growth by supporting clusters of R&D excellence across the UK. As these clusters grow our ambition is that investment into science parks increases in all regions of the UK.
We are investing up to £500 million in the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, for local leaders to grow their high-potential innovation clusters and create jobs. The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund empowers local leaders to target R&D investment to the needs of their areas, including investing in R&D facilities to build regional innovation capability.
A new Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund will give six Mayoral Strategic Authorities in the North and Midlands a devolved pot of funding to address access‑to‑finance barriers, including for the development of commercial scientific infrastructure. Decisions on projects, including support for laboratory space, will rest with the respective authorities. Developers are also able to engage with the National Wealth Fund on potential financing for life science laboratory space.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to support independent hair salons who offer hair systems for people experiencing hair loss.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Individual National Health Service trusts are responsible for the provision of information and advice for patients about hair loss services.
NHS England does not collect information centrally about these services but expects there to be clear pathways around hair loss services in each NHS trust, including preventative care, such as scalp cooling, and psychological support around hair loss, and signposting to wig suppliers. The current NHS Supply Chain Wigs Framework Agreement was awarded to 42 suppliers and provides a range of wigs, both real and synthetic, headwear products to provide alternative choice to patients, and maintenance, styling, alteration, and repair services.
NHS England also expects NHS trusts to provide workshops such as headscarf tying, and eyebrow/lash make up and care, among other related services. There will also be provision at appropriate NHS trusts for children and young people. NHS.Net provides clear information on what can be provided and what costs are covered for wigs and fabric support, including advice for patients on a low income. Further information is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/wigs-and-fabric-supports-on-the-nhs/
Cancer charity support centres also provide advice and support on hair loss, including the national charity Cancer Hair Care, with further information available at the following link:
https://www.cancerhaircare.co.uk/