Written questions by Morello.

What plans he has to work with Integrated Care Boards to improve delivery capacity for future vaccination programmes in West Dorset.

NHS England South West has established mechanisms to work with all integrated care boards (ICBs) in the South West. This includes regular meetings to establish the shared understanding and approaches to vaccination delivery through its Integrated Vaccine Strategy meetings.NHS England South West works collaboratively with the NHS Dorset ICB to develop, implement, and monitor vaccination programmes. It also provides investment for dedicated staff to enhance capacity across areas such as the perinatal vaccination pathway.As part of the Integrated Vaccination Strategy, NHS Dorset ICB also facilitates provider networks within five geographical areas to look at current delivery models for all vaccination programmes, reflect on local population needs, and share learning from local initiatives.In addition, NHS Dorset ICB regularly meets with providers to oversee progress on seasonal vaccination programmes. These meetings are used to discuss progress on delivery, understand any barriers and agree any mitigations to improve uptake.

If he will consider requiring supervised trainee dentists, while on placement at dental training schools, to work on exclusively on NHS waiting lists rather than private appointments, to help reduce the backlog.

Every undergraduate dental student gains clinical experience in the course of their studies under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.Clinical placements provide dental students with the opportunity to develop a range of skills, including clinical abilities and effective communication with both patients and colleagues. The patients receiving treatment should never be charged for the care they receive.These placements are designed to provide students with exposure to a range of clinical environments, rather than to enhance overall National Health Service delivery.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of healthcare capacity in West Dorset, particularly regarding primary care, ambulance response times and urgent care provision in winter 2025-2026.

We have done more than ever to prepare for this winter, stress testing winter plans across the country, including in West Dorset, making sure community teams have the vaccines they need, and identifying the patients most vulnerable in winter.West Dorset sits within the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board (ICB), where general practices have delivered 14.3% more appointments in September 2025, or 495,000 appointments, in comparison to September 2024, at 433,000. This is above the national average of a 6.6% increase. There is good coverage of pharmacy first services which are offered by 90% pharmacies in Dorset, and there has been a steady increase in uptake since September 2024. We have asked ICBs to commission extra urgent dental appointments to make sure that patients with urgent dental needs can get the treatment they require. ICBs have been making extra appointments available from April 2025, and these are available across the country with specific expectations for the region. There are also four pilot sites for urgent dental access running this winter which will support better local access to these services. Urgent and emergency care has fallen short of the standards patients rightly expect in recent years. To address this, we launched our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26, setting ambitious goals of at least 78% of patients in accident and emergency being seem within four hours and reducing the average Category 2 ambulance response time to 30 minutes. Backed by £450 million of capital investment, we are upgrading hundreds of ambulances and expanding the capacity of urgent and emergency care services, enhancing both the speed and quality of care for patients in greatest need.West Dorset is served by South Western Ambulance Service. The latest National Health Service data shows that in October, the South West achieved an average Category 2 response time of 32 minutes 37 seconds, an improvement of nearly 10 minutes compared with the same month last year.

What steps his Department is taking to help improve the speed and efficiency of vaccine rollout when new vaccines receive NHS approval.

The Government is committed to supporting the timely delivery of new vaccination programmes to fully protect the public from vaccine preventable diseases. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation meets regularly to consider both current and future vaccine products and to advise ministers accordingly.The Department works with NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to secure supply deals with manufacturers, stockpile doses, and coordinate logistics to ensure fast deployment, working at pace to update guidelines and training documents so that the workforce providing vaccines is ready to go.To boost capacity, the Department is exploring new ways of delivering vaccinations including health visits and community pharmacy, with pilots for administering vaccinations as part of health visits standing-up from January 2026. Digital tools also ensure speedy and efficient rollout, for instance: online booking via the NHS app; automated reminders; and data dashboards to track uptake and tweak priorities in real-time. Finally, the Department works with NHS England and the UKHSA to develop targeted communications campaigns, advertising, and social media to build trust and drive appointments, aiming for high coverage from day one. Programme planning by the UKHSA and NHS England occurs simultaneously to ensure delivery of safe, clinically effective, stable, and accessible programmes that commence at the right time and are rolled out in a timely manner after a policy decision has been made.

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Dorset County Hospital and (b) associated community services have adequate (i) staffing and (ii) resources for winter 2025-2026.

Both Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare, as the primary providers of community services in Dorset, have assessed their resource and capacity requirements for the winter period as part of the annual planning process. These take account of the expected impact of surges in seasonally affected conditions and the associated infection prevention and control challenges this presents.The winter plans are underpinned by robust organisational business continuity plans to maintain services in the event of loss of workforce or service capacity and are aligned to wider system resilience planning across health and social care partners to help manage and mitigate the risks of anticipated increases in demand and acuity expected over this period. System-level plans include provision for surge and escalation responses at times of peak operational pressure.The Dorset County Hospital has a comprehensive Operational Resilience and Capacity Plan for winter 2025/26, which aligns to NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care priorities and forms part of Dorset’s overall system plan.The Government continues to strengthen the resilience of elective care, including through expanding valuable protected elective capacity, including in surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres.Nationally we have invested nearly £26 billion in additional funding for supporting both immediate winter capacity and the infrastructure transformation, new surgical hubs, diagnostic scanners, and enhanced digital systems, that will establish the Neighbourhood Health Service and make future winters fundamentally different, building towards our milestone of 92% of patients waiting no longer than 18 weeks for treatment.

What (a) additional funding and (b) operational support his Department will provide to Integrated Care Systems in (i) rural areas and (ii) West Dorset in winter 2025-2026.

NHS England is responsible for determining funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs), including those covering rural areas and West Dorset. This process is independent of the Government and is informed by advice from the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA).Funding allocations for 2025/26, published on 30 January 2025, include an ACRA-recommended adjustment specifically focused on rurality that reflects the additional cost of providing home-delivered community services in sparsely populated areas, and recognises the longer travel times required to deliver said services. Allocations cover the whole financial year, so there is not winter specific additional funding provided. Further information on funding allocations for 2025/26 is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/allocation-of-resources-2025-26/All ICBs and trusts have developed their own winter plans, which were stress tested at regional events throughout September to expose any weaknesses and to be strengthen where necessary. We continue to work closely with the most challenged trusts, providing targeted improvement support to help them improve their four-hour and 12-hour performance, and reduce ambulance handover delays.

What recent assessment he has made of logistical challenges affecting rapid vaccine deployment in rural areas.

The Department, NHS England, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) work together to ensure a new vaccine is rolled out in a timely manner after a policy decision has been made, ensuring that all the components are in place to provide an accessible and safe programme. Supplies of centrally procured vaccines for the routine immunisation programme are available to order from UKHSA by all registered general practices, hospitals, maternity services, and other sites commissioned to deliver the programme. Sites have deliveries at least once a week, regardless of where in England they are located, and the coverage is across the country, including rural areas.To improve public access to vaccinations, including in rural areas, we are expanding the use of community pharmacies giving vaccinations, including through delivering flu vaccines for two and three-year-olds this autumn. An evaluation will assess whether the use of community pharmacies improves coverage and helps tackle regional health inequalities, in line with the National Health Service vaccination strategy.To ensure pharmacy access in rural areas, local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment every three years to assess whether their population is adequately served by local pharmacies and must keep these assessments under review.We are also exploring ways of delivering our commitment to administer vaccinations as part of health visits. Local pathfinders for health visitor delivery will begin from January 2026, across a mix of urban and rural geographies.

If he will extend eligibility for free Covid vaccines to people with heart conditions in West Dorset.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.The JCVI has advised that population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed. The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for autumn 2025 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups:- adults aged 75 years old and over;- residents in care homes for older adults; and- individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed.As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

If he will take steps to ensure stroke patients receive individualised post-discharge care.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to improving services for patients locally by increasing the provision of services outside of a hospital setting that are delivered closer to home in the community. The National Stroke Service Model provides best practice for stroke care, including post-discharge, which should include comprehensive rehabilitation and personalised care and support. The National Stroke Quality Improvement in Rehabilitation programme is helping to transform community-based care by increasing access to specialist stroke rehabilitation at home.

If he will extend eligibility for free Covid vaccines to people with lung conditions.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.The JCVI has advised that population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed. The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for autumn 2025 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups:- adults aged 75 years old and over;- residents in care homes for older adults; and- individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed.As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

If he will extent the eligibility for free Covid vaccines to people with other medical conditions in West Dorset.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.The JCVI has advised that population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed. The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for autumn 2025 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups:- adults aged 75 years old and over;- residents in care homes for older adults; and- individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed.As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

What assessment he has made of the need for personalised care plans for stroke patients.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to improving services for patients locally by increasing the provision of services outside of a hospital setting that are delivered closer to home in the community. The National Stroke Service Model provides best practice for stroke care, including post-discharge, which should include comprehensive rehabilitation and personalised care and support. The National Stroke Quality Improvement in Rehabilitation programme is helping to transform community-based care by increasing access to specialist stroke rehabilitation at home.

If he will increase support for tailored rehabilitation for stroke patients.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to improving services for patients locally by increasing the provision of services outside of a hospital setting that are delivered closer to home in the community. The National Stroke Service Model provides best practice for stroke care, including post-discharge, which should include comprehensive rehabilitation and personalised care and support. The National Stroke Quality Improvement in Rehabilitation programme is helping to transform community-based care by increasing access to specialist stroke rehabilitation at home.

Whether he plans to allocate funding in the Autumn Budget 2025 to improve access to NHS dentistry for children in West Dorset constituency.

The budget for Autumn 2025 has not yet been announced, however access to National Health Service dentistry, including for children, and addressing the issue of under-served areas remains a priority for the Government.

If he will allocate funding to support mental health services for frontline NHS staff in the Autumn Budget 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out any policy changes in the Autumn Budget in the usual way.The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is very important, and the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. At a national level, NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals and support to work healthily and flexibly. We will also roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to ensure staff have access to high quality support for mental health and back conditions.

If he will allocate funding to help improve access to NHS dentistry in West Dorset constituency in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The budget for Autumn 2025 has not yet been announced, however access to National Health Service dentistry and addressing the issue of under-served areas remains a priority for the Government.

If he will make it her policy to increase the level of funding for NHS dentistry in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The budget for Autumn 2025 has not yet been announced, however access to National Health Service dentistry and addressing the issue of under-served areas remains a priority for the Government.

If he will make it her policy to allocate additional funding to support the recruitment and retention of NHS dentists in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The budget for Autumn 2025 has not yet been announced, however access to National Health Service dentistry and addressing the issue of under-served areas remains a priority for the Government.

If he will allocate funding for mental health support for nurses in the Autumn Budget 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out any policy changes in the Autumn Budget in the usual way.The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is very important, and the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. At a national level, NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals and support to work healthily and flexibly. We will also roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to ensure staff have access to high quality support for mental health and back conditions.

If he will allocate funding for mental health support for doctors in the Autumn Budget 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out any policy changes in the Autumn Budget in the usual way.The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is very important, and the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. At a national level, NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals and support to work healthily and flexibly. We will also roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to ensure staff have access to high quality support for mental health and back conditions.