Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 implications for his Department's policies of the MS Society and Neurological Alliance’s report entitled Neurological Conditions: The Case for a Modern Service Framework, published in May 2026.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department welcomes the report from the MS Society and Neurological Alliance as a valuable contribution to the evidence base, and recognises the important issues it raises, including variation in access to care, diagnostic delays and pressures across neurological services.
The Government is already taking forward work to improve neurological services through national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) NHS RightCare, updated service specifications and new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which together aim to reduce variation and deliver more coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Department has made no specific assessment of introducing a target to reduce avoidable admissions for neurological conditions by 30% by 2035. However, the Department recognises the importance of reducing avoidable hospital admissions and improving outcomes for people with neurological conditions. National Programmes like GIRFT and RightCare strengthen early diagnosis, improve community‑based support and develop integrated care pathways, with the aim of reducing avoidable deterioration and supporting patients closer to home.
The Government will continue to consider evidence and proposals to improve care for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is developing a programme of Modern Service Frameworks (MSFs) which will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. The first wave was agreed as Cardiovascular Disease, Sepsis and Severe Mental Illness. The second wave has now been agreed as Frailty and Dementia, Children and Young People, and Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions, including neurological conditions, for future waves of MSFs. The criteria for determining future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the MS Society and Neurological Alliance’s report entitled Neurological Conditions: The Case for a Modern Service Framework, published in May 2026, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing the recommended goal of a 30% reduction in avoidable emergency admissions for neurological conditions by 2035.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department welcomes the report from the MS Society and Neurological Alliance as a valuable contribution to the evidence base, and recognises the important issues it raises, including variation in access to care, diagnostic delays and pressures across neurological services.
The Government is already taking forward work to improve neurological services through national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) NHS RightCare, updated service specifications and new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which together aim to reduce variation and deliver more coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Department has made no specific assessment of introducing a target to reduce avoidable admissions for neurological conditions by 30% by 2035. However, the Department recognises the importance of reducing avoidable hospital admissions and improving outcomes for people with neurological conditions. National Programmes like GIRFT and RightCare strengthen early diagnosis, improve community‑based support and develop integrated care pathways, with the aim of reducing avoidable deterioration and supporting patients closer to home.
The Government will continue to consider evidence and proposals to improve care for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is developing a programme of Modern Service Frameworks (MSFs) which will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. The first wave was agreed as Cardiovascular Disease, Sepsis and Severe Mental Illness. The second wave has now been agreed as Frailty and Dementia, Children and Young People, and Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions, including neurological conditions, for future waves of MSFs. The criteria for determining future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
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 value of introducing a Modern Service Framework for neurological conditions.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department welcomes the report from the MS Society and Neurological Alliance as a valuable contribution to the evidence base, and recognises the important issues it raises, including variation in access to care, diagnostic delays and pressures across neurological services.
The Government is already taking forward work to improve neurological services through national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme (GIRFT) NHS RightCare, updated service specifications and new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which together aim to reduce variation and deliver more coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Department has made no specific assessment of introducing a target to reduce avoidable admissions for neurological conditions by 30% by 2035. However, the Department recognises the importance of reducing avoidable hospital admissions and improving outcomes for people with neurological conditions. National Programmes like GIRFT and RightCare strengthen early diagnosis, improve community‑based support and develop integrated care pathways, with the aim of reducing avoidable deterioration and supporting patients closer to home.
The Government will continue to consider evidence and proposals to improve care for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including the 10-Year Health Plan.
As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is developing a programme of Modern Service Frameworks (MSFs) which will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. The first wave was agreed as Cardiovascular Disease, Sepsis and Severe Mental Illness. The second wave has now been agreed as Frailty and Dementia, Children and Young People, and Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions, including neurological conditions, for future waves of MSFs. The criteria for determining future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
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 role of creative therapies in the care of people living with dementia.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs) and may include creative therapies. We expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
NICE guidance recommends that people living with dementia are offered a range of activities to promote wellbeing that are tailored to their needs and preferences. This guidance is available at the following link:
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the MS Society and Neurological Alliance’s report entitled Neurological Conditions: The Case for a Modern Service Framework, published in May 2026, what steps he has taken to ensure there is national accountability and sustained focus on (a) MS and (b) all neurological conditions.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
In August 2025, NHS England updated its service specification for specialised adult neurology services, following extensive consultation. The service specification includes guidance on both the specialised and core neurology services that should be available for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and those with neurological conditions more broadly. The service specification outlines that specialised neurology centres must include access to treatment services for MS and have clear pathways for access to disease-modifying therapies. The service specification is available at the following link:
The Government is taking forward work to improve neurological services through national programmes like NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time Programme and the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, which aim to reduce variation and deliver more coordinated, person‑centred care.
The Government will continue to consider evidence and proposals to improve care for people with neurological conditions as part of wider health system reforms, including those set out in our 10-Year Health Plan.
As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is developing a programme of modern service frameworks (MSFs) which will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. The first wave was agreed as cardiovascular disease, sepsis, and severe mental illness. The second wave has now been agreed as frailty and dementia, children and young people, and palliative care and end of life care.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of MSFs. The criteria for determining future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.
We welcome the joint report published by the MS Society and the Neurological Alliance and will carefully consider the case that the report makes for an MSF for neurological conditions.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
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 improve dementia care for patients in (a) Broxtowe constituency, (b) Nottingham, (c) Nottinghamshire and (d) England.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs) and may include creative therapies. We expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
We will deliver the first ever Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, which is expected this year. The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.
The Government is committed to improving dementia care. That is why we have published the D100: Assessment Tool Pathway programme, which brings together multiple resources into a single, consolidated tool to help simplify best practice.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the annual expenditure by the UK Research and Innovation on research workforce development programmes, including fellowships, training awards and capacity-building initiatives, was in each financial year from 2019–20 to 2024–25; and what proportion of that expenditure was allocated to (a) dementia, (b) cancer, (c) stroke and (d) coronary heart disease research, where such categorisation is held.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) supports and encourages the development of researchers’ skills and knowledge at all career stages across all its investments through dedicated skills, talents, and training investments.
The table below shows total annual UKRI spend from 2019-20 to 2024-25. Data relating to capacity-building initiatives is not recorded by UKRI.
Total UKRI Spend (£M) | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
Training grants | 414 | 429 | 415.7 | 421.1 | 436.2 | 465.5 |
Fellowships | 165.1 | 217.2 | 223.9 | 260.1 | 261.1 | 282.7 |
Total | 579.1 | 646.2 | 639.6 | 681.2 | 697.3 | 748.2 |
Expenditure breakdowns are not available for dementia, cancer, stroke and coronary heart disease research.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration his Department has given to the potential impact of a respiratory Modern Service Framework on health inequalities in long-term respiratory conditions.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Modern service frameworks will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and will then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia.
The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks, including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future modern service frameworks will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat - Maidenhead)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of availability of respite care for unpaid carers of people living with dementia; and what steps he is taking to improve access to those services.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises the vital role that unpaid carers play in supporting people living with dementia and is committed to ensuring that carers can access appropriate support, including respite services.
Responsibility for commissioning respite services rests with local authorities based on the needs of their local populations. Through the Better Care Fund, integrated care boards and local authorities are encouraged to work together to identify and support unpaid carers, including through the provision of respite and short-break services where appropriate.
The 2026/27 Better Care Fund framework specifically highlights the need for local areas to consider how pooled funding can support carers' assessments and respite provision, with further information available at the following link:
On dementia specifically, we will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, to improve support for people living with dementia and their carers. We are committed to an interim product in September this year and will aim to publish the full framework by the end of this calendar year as recommended by Baroness Casey. People with lived experience, carers, and families will be central to the development of the modern service framework.
The Department is also preparing a cross-Government action plan for unpaid carers, to improve how unpaid carers are recognised, how support is offered, and how they can be helped to reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.
Asked by: Caroline Johnson (Conservative - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which specialised neurology centres currently provide multidisciplinary team assessment and treatment for people with primary progressive aphasia.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This information is not held centrally. The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
Specialised neurology services are tertiary services providing diagnostic and treatment support to patients with complex needs who cannot be optimally managed in a core neurology service alone. These services must be delivered in all integrated neurology systems. This may be at specialised neurology centres or appropriately resourced district general hospitals as part of an integrated neurology system. Subspecialty level multidisciplinary teams and appropriate networked governance are required wherever these services are delivered.