Written questions by Cooper.

What the (a) shortest, (b) median, and (c) longest time was for patients to receive the results of a suspected cancer biopsy for each of the last 12 months, broken down by hospital trust.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing a nationally coordinated (a) diagnosis pathway and (b) specialist service for patients with a suspected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he has taken to help improve NHS (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment pathways of patients suffering a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Awaiting answer.

If he would hold a public inquiry into the effects of diethylstilbestrol.

I apologise and express my sincere sympathy to all those affected by exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), including those exposed in utero and their families.The Government’s focus is on carefully considering the available evidence and determining the mo...

What training healthcare professionals are given on the impacts of diethylstilbestrol.

I apologise and express my sincere sympathy to all those affected by exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), including those exposed in utero and their families.The Government’s focus is on carefully considering the available evidence and determining the mo...

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding eligibility for the MenB vaccination programme to students aged 26 and older.

On 12 June 2026, we announced a one-off, time-limited meningococcal group B (MenB) immunisation programme to protect those at highest immediate risk of MenB disease this autumn.People currently in the Year 13 age group in England and Wales, those born fro...

What assessment he has made of the impact of delays in access to Full Blood Count testing on the timely diagnosis of leukaemia.

The Government recognises that timely access to diagnostic tests is an important part of early and faster cancer diagnosis, including for blood cancers. The National Cancer Plan sets out the Government’s commitment to improve earlier diagnosis and faster ...

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of research clinicians supporting levels of brain tumour research.

The Department invests approximately £1.8 billion each year on research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).The NIHR is the United Kingdom’s largest funder of clinical academic training, delivering comprehensive research car...

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of access scanner capacity to support increased brain tumour research.

The Department invests approximately £1.8 billion each year on research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The Department’s investment in the NIHR facilitates the direct funding of research projects through NIHR programmes...

What recent discussions he has had with (a) MHRA and (b) NICE on OPTUNE treatment for brain cancer patients.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has had no recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the topic of OPTUNE, or Tum...

Whether there will be measures to increase the recruitment and retention of clinicians to support medical research in the ten year workforce plan.

The 10-Year Health Plan committed to embedding research into everyday National Health Service care and increasing the skills and time for research within the workforce. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will put the NHS workforce on a sustainable footing so it c...

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of his department producing and publishing a long-term financial sustainability plan for community pharmacy in partnership with the communi

The Government recently announced a £340 million uplift to community pharmacy funding, a 10% increase, recognising the essential role pharmacies play in supporting patients and the wider National Health Service. This follows on from a 19% uplift delivered...

Whether he plans to adopt the draft Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan, published on 4 May 2026, before 1 July 2026.

The Government recognises the significant and often life‑changing impact that acquired brain injury (ABI) can have on individuals and their families.The Department is currently working with NHS England and a range of stakeholders, including other Governme...

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2026 to Question 506 on Cancer: Vaccination, whether there will be further (a) webinars and (b) other engagement events for interested pharmaceutical companies in 2

The Cancer Vaccines Launch Pad (CVLP) is open to supporting immunotherapy trials for all cancer types, including brain cancer, and welcomes conversations with interested companies.NHS England hosted a webinar in 2025, and representatives from 12 pharmaceu...

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2026 to Question 506 on Cancer: Vaccination, whether those 15 companies have an interest in brain cancer vaccines.

The Cancer Vaccines Launch Pad (CVLP) is open to supporting immunotherapy trials for all cancer types, including brain cancer, and welcomes conversations with interested companies.NHS England hosted a webinar in 2025, and representatives from 12 pharmaceu...

What discussions he has had with (a) NICE and the (b) MHRA about expediting the licensing and evaluation of the BREAKWATER treatment for advanced bowel cancer in England.

Department officials have not had any discussions with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency or the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) about expediting the licensing and evaluation of the BREAKWATER treatment.The BR...

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2026 to Question 506 on Cancer: Vaccination, how many of those 15 companies were included in the 12 who attended the 2025 webinar.

The Cancer Vaccines Launch Pad (CVLP) is open to supporting immunotherapy trials for all cancer types, including brain cancer, and welcomes conversations with interested companies.NHS England hosted a webinar in 2025, and representatives from 12 pharmaceu...

What assessment he has made of the equity of access to encorafenib with cetuximab treatments for bowel cancer between in England compared to (a) Scotland and (b) Wales.

Department officials have not had any discussions with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency or the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) about expediting the licensing and evaluation of the BREAKWATER treatment.The BR...

With reference to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 71118 on Prescriptions: Occupational Therapy, if he will provide an update on the work of his department relating to the medicines respo

The Department supports expanding medicines responsibilities for non‑medical professionals where it is safe to do so. Appropriately trained occupational therapists can already supply and administer medicines under Patient Specific Directions or Patient Gr...

What steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of jobs for newly qualified (a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) other medical professionals.

We will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed services set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the ri...