Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
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 ensure that all NHS Trusts allow accompaniment in any meeting where disciplinary action or dismissal is a potential outcome.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It is a statutory requirement that all workers are entitled to be accompanied by a work colleague or a trade union representative or official at any disciplinary hearing. This right applies to all National Health Service staff and is set out in the handbook to the NHS Constitution for England.
Where the outcome of a hearing could result in the worker’s professional career being put at risk, they can request to be accompanied by a legal representative.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered implementing a humanitarian sponsorship or visa scheme for critically ill children from Gaza.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The United Kingdom continues to take additional immediate steps to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including working urgently to get some of the critically ill and injured children medically evacuated from Gaza. Further details about that process are set out in the Written Statement my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care made on 1 September, available at the following link:
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-09-01/hcws899
The Government is not currently considering implementing a bespoke visa route for Palestinians fleeing Gaza to come to the UK. Palestinians who wish to settle in the UK can do so via the existing routes available which allow a person to apply to work, study, settle, or join family in the UK.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) NHS England and (b) ICBs to help prevent NHS Trusts from operating outside (i) best practice guidelines, (ii) Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Codes, (iii) internal HR policies and (iv) not protecting their staff's (A) rights and (B) well-being.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
All National Health Service trusts are independent employers who are required to comply with employment legislation and any relevant Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service codes. Human resource policies and procedures are developed locally and should follow best practice guidance which may include model HR policies developed by NHS England and the national Social Partnership Forum’s Workforce Issues Group.
The handbook to the NHS Constitution for England summarises some important legal rights for all employees and includes a range of best practice pledges which, although not legally binding, represent a commitment by the NHS to provide high-quality working environments for staff.
As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, we will also work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals, support to work healthily and flexibly, and tackling violence, racism and sexual harassment in the workplace.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made a recent estimate of the potential impact of Myalgic encephalomyelitis on the economy.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise the negative impact that myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) has on patients and their loved ones, and also the cost to health and care services and the wider economy through, for example, loss of work and an increased benefits bill. We, therefore, recently published the ME/CFS final delivery plan, which focuses on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.
There are currently no plans to allocate new or ring-fenced funding specifically to support the implementation of the ME/CFS final delivery plan. However, we continue to commission research on ME/CFS services across the United Kingdom, focussing on the most severely affected. The plan includes increased funding for research, awarded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, into how existing medicines can be used for post-viral conditions, including ME/CFS. Additionally, there are always opportunities for researchers to bid for and secure research funding for ME/CFS through our open research funding calls.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to establish a research hub to (a) coordinate research and (b) support early-career researchers working on ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years the NIHR committed approximately £3.7 million to research projects and programmes on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The NIHR, alongside other Government research funders, remains committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment for ME/CFS.
Together with the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation, we are actively exploring next steps in ME/CFS research, as outlined in the ME/CFS final delivery plan. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical inventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including ME/CFS. This funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve the evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including ME/CFS. We are also planning an NIHR and MRC hosted showcase event for post-acute infection conditions research, including ME/CFS and long COVID, later this year to stimulate further research in this field.
The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including post-acute infection conditions such as ME/CFS, and research funding is available. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on ME/CFS and other post-acute infection conditions to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded. Establishing a research hub for ME/CFS would not provide the same level of flexibility. The NIHR Academy offers extensive support for early-career researchers through various fellowships, training awards, and mentoring structures. For instance, through the INSIGHT Programme, they work with universities to fund research masters studentships and attract students into research. Through Academic Clinical Fellowships, for doctors and dentists, and Predoctoral Academic Fellowships, for other health professionals, the NIHR Academy supports healthcare practitioners in integrating research with clinical practice.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding his Department has allocated for Myalgic encephalomyelitis research in each of the last five years.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years the NIHR committed approximately £3.7 million to research projects and programmes on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The NIHR, alongside other Government research funders, remains committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment for ME/CFS.
Together with the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation, we are actively exploring next steps in ME/CFS research, as outlined in the ME/CFS final delivery plan. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical inventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including ME/CFS. This funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve the evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including ME/CFS. We are also planning an NIHR and MRC hosted showcase event for post-acute infection conditions research, including ME/CFS and long COVID, later this year to stimulate further research in this field.
The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including post-acute infection conditions such as ME/CFS, and research funding is available. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on ME/CFS and other post-acute infection conditions to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded. Establishing a research hub for ME/CFS would not provide the same level of flexibility. The NIHR Academy offers extensive support for early-career researchers through various fellowships, training awards, and mentoring structures. For instance, through the INSIGHT Programme, they work with universities to fund research masters studentships and attract students into research. Through Academic Clinical Fellowships, for doctors and dentists, and Predoctoral Academic Fellowships, for other health professionals, the NIHR Academy supports healthcare practitioners in integrating research with clinical practice.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to tackle the lack of advertised nursing vacancies through the 10 Year Plan.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual National Health Service employers, who manage this at a local level to ensure they have the staff they need to deliver safe and effective care.
NHS England is working with employers, universities, and regional nursing leads to ensure that support is in place to help graduating nurses find a role as soon as possible after qualification and transition into the workplace.
Later this year, we will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care for patients, when they need it.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
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 (a) digital, (b) language and (c) other barriers to South Asian communities accessing GPs for dementia care.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We understand how vital it is to ensure that all patients with dementia, including those with language barriers or difficulty using digital services, have their communication needs met, so that they can access general practices (GPs) and other National Health Services, and receive the same quality of healthcare as others. To support this, GPs must provide translation and interpretation services. They are also expected to meet the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), which outlines how to meet the communication needs of patients who require language support. This ensures non-English speakers can access GP services safely.
Digital tools, such as online consultation systems, can help patients book appointments, request prescriptions, and register more easily, especially for those who may struggle with phone conversations due to language barriers. However, we understand that digital access is not suitable for everyone. That’s why in-person support must always be available. GP reception desks must remain open to support those who cannot use phone or online options.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many contracts his Department has awarded to private nursing companies to supplement NHS nurses in hospitals; and what the cost to his Department is of those contracts.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department does not hold contracts with companies for the supply of temporary nursing staff into the NHS (i.e. to NHS Trusts). NHS Trusts contract directly with private nursing companies to meet their requirements or call off work from such companies on national and NHS regional contract framework agreements.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many MRI scans have to be repeated because of errors made in the initial scan each year; and what the cost to the NHS is of each MRI scan performed.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Data on the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that have had to be repeated due to errors made in the initial scan is not held centrally. The following table shows the cost of MRI scans in the National Health Service broken down by Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) code and name, for 2025/26:
HRG code | HRG name | Price, including cost of reporting | Cost of reporting |
RD01A | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of One Area, without Contrast, 19 years and over | £130 | £26 |
RD01B | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of One Area, without Contrast, between 6 and 18 years | £218 | £26 |
RD01C | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of One Area, without Contrast, 5 years and under | £311 | £26 |
RD02A | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of One Area, with Post-Contrast Only, 19 years and over | £189 | £26 |
RD02B | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of One Area, with Post-Contrast Only, between 6 and 18 years | £331 | £26 |
RD02C | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of One Area, with Post-Contrast Only, 5 years and under | £473 | £26 |
RD03Z | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of One Area, with Pre- and Post-Contrast | £199 | £26 |
RD04Z | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of Two or Three Areas, without Contrast | £156 | £26 |
RD05Z | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of Two or Three Areas, with Contrast | £224 | £35 |
RD06Z | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan of more than Three Areas | £224 | £35 |
RD07Z | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan Requiring Extensive Patient Repositioning | £263 | £35 |
RD08Z | Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan without Contrast | £450 | £26 |
RD09Z | Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan with Post-Contrast Only | £499 | £26 |
RD10Z | Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan with Pre- and Post-Contrast | £643 | £26 |
Source: the 2025/26 NHS Payment Scheme, available at the following link under the ‘25/26 pay award prices’ section:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/2025-26-nhs-payment-scheme/