Asked by: Baroness Freeman of Steventon (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the article published in Cell on 2 December, The effect of shingles vaccination at different stages of the dementia disease course, which suggests a causal relationship between shingles vaccination and a lower risk of developing dementia and further advancement of dementia following diagnosis; and in the light of that, what plans they have to request that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reconsider the current availability of the shingles vaccination on the NHS.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Following a request from the Department, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) briefly discussed the emerging evidence on the link between shingles vaccination and dementia in its June 2025 meeting.
It was noted that results were consistent across different vaccines and different observational studies and had some potential biological plausibility. However, based on currently available data, this possible benefit was not quantifiable due to the high chance of bias in many of these observational studies.
For these reasons, no change to the current JCVI recommendation on shingles vaccination could be advised at this time. The JCVI continues to monitor emerging evidence relating to all immunisation programmes, including on the potential link between shingles vaccination and dementia, keeping its advice under review.
Asked by: Jim Dickson (Labour - Dartford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which (a) individuals and (b) organisations have been appointed to governance structures responsible for developing the Modern Service Frameworks for Dementia and Frailty.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We intend to engage with a range of partners over the coming months to enable us to build a modern service framework which is both ambitious and practical, to ensure we can improve system performance for people with dementia and frailty both now and in the future.
No specific individuals or organisations have been appointed at this time. However, we intend to formalise a governance structure for the development of the modern service framework shortly which we will share with partners in due course.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the (a) name, (b) job title, (c) annual remuneration, (d) time commitment and (e) expected end date is for each direct ministerial appointment in her Department.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Please see a list of all the Direct Ministerial Appointments (DMAs) in DSIT to date, including job title, renumeration, time commitment and expected end date.
Live Appointments:
Appointments that have now ended
Appointments made before July 2024 (publicly available information)
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to expand the hours and remit of the National Clinical Director for Dementia.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The national clinical directors and national specialty advisers are practising clinicians from across England who work part-time at NHS England, providing clinical leadership, advice, input, and support across distinct areas of National Health Service conditions and services.
There are currently no plans within the Department to expand the hours and remit of the National Clinical Director for Dementia and Older People’s Mental Health.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government why they removed the dementia diagnosis rate target from the NHS operational planning guidance for 2025-26.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Darzi investigation found that there were too many targets set for the National Health Service which made it hard for local systems to prioritise their actions or to be held properly to account. 2025/26 planning guidance reduced the number of national targets from 32 the year before down to 18. This was an important step in moving decision making closer to local leaders, letting them decide how to use local funding to best meet the needs of their local population.
NHS planning guidance is not an exhaustive list of everything the NHS does, and the absence of a target does not necessarily mean it isn’t an area of focus. We remain committed to recovering the dementia diagnosis rate to the national ambition of 66.7%. The estimated Dementia Diagnosis Rate for patients aged 65 years old and over at the end of October 2025 was 66.5%. The rate is an increase of 0.2% compared to 66.3% in September 2025. This is an overall increase from March 2020 due to sustained recovery efforts.
We will deliver the first ever Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework to bring about rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, which is expected in 2026.
The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia, set national standards for dementia care, and will redirect NHS priorities to provide the best possible care and support.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce additional new targets for prevention and treatment of dementia.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We will deliver the first ever modern service framework for frailty and dementia 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, expected in 2026.
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.
In developing the modern service framework for frailty and dementia, we are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with dementia. As part of this exercise, we will consider what interventions should be supported to improve diagnosis waiting times, which we know are too long in many areas. We are considering all options to help with the prevention and treatment of dementia, including reviewing metrics and targets.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 reintroduce improving dementia diagnosis times into NHS Operational Planning Guidance.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS Planning Guidance is not an exhaustive list of everything the National Health Service does, and the absence of a target does not mean it is not an area of focus.
We recognise the importance of a timely diagnosis, and remain committed to increasing diagnosis rates and ensuring people can access any licensed and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended treatment and/or support they need.
We will deliver the first ever modern service framework for frailty and dementia 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, expected in 2026.
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 NHS priorities to provide the best possible care and support.
Asked by: Sam Carling (Labour - North West Cambridgeshire)
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 the potential merits of reviewing the current approach to mental capacity assessments, particularly in relation to addiction and conditions which may involve fluctuating capacity, such as short-term dementia.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
On 18 October 2025, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced the intention to launch a public consultation on the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) in 2026. The consultation will cover a revised Code of Practice and will incorporate changes in case law, legislation, and good practice in the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).
The LPS as introduced by the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 aims to deliver streamlined processes and assessments for authorising deprivations of liberty, including for individuals with fluctuating capacity. This consultation will seek the views of those affected, and people involved in their care and welfare. The responses from this consultation will be used to inform a final MCA Code of Practice which will be laid in Parliament.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 dementia care provision in (a) rural constituencies and (b) West Dorset constituency.
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). We would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking into account National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
This Government is committed to improving dementia care and is empowering local leaders with the autonomy that they need to provide the best services to their local community, including those with dementia. That is why we have published the D100: Assessment Tool Pathway programme, which brings together multiple resources into a single, consolidated tool. This will help places and systems identify where improvements need to be targeted.
Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services. We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to improve access to specialist dementia care services in West Dorset constituency.
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). We would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking into account National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
This Government is committed to improving dementia care and is empowering local leaders with the autonomy that they need to provide the best services to their local community, including those with dementia. That is why we have published the D100: Assessment Tool Pathway programme, which brings together multiple resources into a single, consolidated tool. This will help places and systems identify where improvements need to be targeted.
Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services. We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.