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 potential impact of psychosexual services on demand for gynaecology, urology and fertility services.

Responsibility for commissioning psychosexual services is split across upper tier local authorities and integrated care boards (ICBs). Upper tier local authorities are responsible for commissioning comprehensive sexual health services, which includes the sexual health aspects of psychosexual services. ICBs are responsible for commissioning non-sexual health elements of psychosexual health services.

The Department provides funding for sexual health services through the Public Health Grant, which is allocated to local authorities in England. Sexual health is one of a number of public health services funded through the Public Health Grant, and the Department does not specify how much is spent on sexual health specifically. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning sexual health services to meet the needs of their populations. On 9 February 2026, the Government published multi-year Public Health Grant allocations to local authorities in England. This is the first three-year public health settlement in a decade, giving local authorities far greater certainty over their future funding and supporting their ability to plan ahead.

The responsibility for delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for ICB funded non-sexual health elements of psychosexual health services rests with the appropriate National Health Service commissioner, working with NHS providers and other stakeholders. Commissioners are responsible for ensuring that NHS funding is used effectively to improve population health, reduce inequalities, and deliver high-quality, accessible care. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients, and the NHS is required to have due regard to NICE guidance.

The Department does not centrally hold information on the number of NHS psychosexual services operating in each of the last five years. No assessment has been undertaken on the availability of psychosexual services, their impact on the demand for other services, or the impact of their closure on cost savings.