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 include additional funding for research on the common complications of pregnancy as part of the Women’s Health Strategy.

The Women’s Health Strategy included an ambition to increase research into women’s health issues, including pregnancy. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) commissions research on behalf of the Department and welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including women’s health conditions and pregnancy. However, it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.