Written questions by Downie.

Whether the National Institute for Health and Care Research has undertaken research on the potential impact of psychedelic medication on the treatment of severe mental health conditions.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is supporting psilocybin research via the NIHR King’s Clinical Research Facility and the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, where researchers are developing and evaluating the efficacy and safety of psilocybin therapy for use in the National Health Service and other healthcare settings. The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including research on the potential impact of psychedelic substances for the treatment of severe mental health conditions.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of differences in approved medicines on (a) men and (b) women.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for approving medicines in the United Kingdom before they are made available to the wider public. This involves a rigorous assessment using data from clinical trials to assess safety and efficacy.If data suggests that a medicine may have a different effect on men and women, this is considered within the assessment process. Every medicine is assessed on a case-by-case basis, as several factors may impact the performance of a specific product.Post authorisation, where there is identified or potential differences between men and women in safety or effectiveness, this can be monitored in the risk management plan. The agency keeps the safety and effectiveness of all medicines under continual monitoring in all populations. Should any differences in outcomes between men and women be identified, the agency will take appropriate regulatory action.

How many medicinal approvals used female physiology as a baseline for testing in each of the last five years.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency does not capture this information in a searchable format, however this information would be available in Public Assessment Reports and summaries of product characteristics, where relevant. These documents are available at the following link:https://products.mhra.gov.uk/

What testing requirements are in place in the approval process to identify the different impacts of medicines on men and women.

As part of the approval process for new drugs, the impact of sex, on men versus women, is assessed on pharmacokinetics, or exposure, pharmacodynamics, and overall efficacy and safety. The data is assessed in terms of whether any dose adjustments are warranted. Data in pregnant and breast-feeding women is also required where relevant.

What training is provided to NHS staff to highlight the differences in symptoms of a heart attack between men and women.

Guidance for National Health Service staff is available through the British Heart Foundation, and specific learning sessions are available to support training, with further information on both available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/heart-attack/signs-and-symptoms-of-heart-attacks-in-womenhttps://www.chsselearning.org.uk/hearte/15-womens-health/NHS England has been cognisant of gender differences when running public campaigns, and as such has ensured clear messaging on atypical symptoms in women. This has been represented through sharing patient stories within campaign material, highlighting the differences in gender symptoms. Further information on NHS England’s public campaign is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/08/nhs-launches-lifesaving-campaign-to-help-people-spot-a-heart-attack/

How much funding the Government has provided for endometriosis research in each of the last five years; and what proportion of Government-funded medicinal research that accounts for.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The following table shows how much funding the NIHR has awarded for endometriosis research, as well as that spend as a percentage of total urogynaecology research spend, for each year from 2019/20 to 2023/24:Financial yearSpendProportion of total urogynaecology spend2019/20£493,9458.9%2020/21£554,15110.5%2021/22£973,08916.8%2022/23£1,360,61424.9%2023/24£1,325,32921.9%This information reflects in-year payments to 10 research awards that were active during this time period. It does not reflect the total award value. The total award value for these awards, across their full duration, is £7,714,953.In addition, between 2019/20 and 2023/24, there were 18 awards with relevance to endometriosis active on UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) portfolio. These awards had a total value of £8.43 million. The following table shows the in-year expenditure for this research, for each year from 2019/20 to 2023/24:Financial yearIn year spendPercentage of spend versus UKRI research base outturn2019/20£585,662<1%2020/21£683,812<1%2021/22£1,017,417<1%2022/23£1,264,127<1%2023/24£1,589,230<1%The remaining spend is slated for future financial years.

When NHS England last reviewed guidance for hyperemesis gravidarum; and whether that review was shared with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) NHS Scotland.

We recognise the challenges including the emotional and physical impacts that hyperemesis gravidarum can have on pregnant women and their families. Appropriate and evidence-based guidance is crucial.NHS England regularly reviews all health guidance, including relevant guidance on managing hyperemesis gravidarum. In its guidance on antenatal care, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence refers to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guidance on hyperemesis gravidarum which is also available for patients and staff to consider.We continue to work closely with counterparts in the devolved nations, including the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.

What discussions he has had with the General Dental Council on steps to reduce the time take for Ukrainian nationals to take the overseas registration exam to allow them to practice in the UK.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any discussions with the General Dental Council (GDC) regarding the length of time it takes for Ukrainian nationals to take the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE).The Department does not collect or hold information about the number of dentists that have completed the GDC’s ORE, the number of Ukrainian dentists who have completed their ORE, or the average waiting time to sit the ORE exam.With regards Ukrainian refugees’ applications to register as dental professionals in the United Kingdom, the GDC understands that refugees may face difficulties in providing original documentation and, if that is the case, encourages applicants to contact the GDC’s examinations team, who will help them to consider how they might go about meeting the requirements. More information for refugee dental professionals can be found on the GDC’s website, which is available at the following link:https://www.gdc-uk.org/registration/join-the-register/information-for-refugee-dental-professionals

What the average waiting time is for dentists to sit the Overseas Registration Exam.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any discussions with the General Dental Council (GDC) regarding the length of time it takes for Ukrainian nationals to take the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE).The Department does not collect or hold information about the number of dentists that have completed the GDC’s ORE, the number of Ukrainian dentists who have completed their ORE, or the average waiting time to sit the ORE exam.With regards Ukrainian refugees’ applications to register as dental professionals in the United Kingdom, the GDC understands that refugees may face difficulties in providing original documentation and, if that is the case, encourages applicants to contact the GDC’s examinations team, who will help them to consider how they might go about meeting the requirements. More information for refugee dental professionals can be found on the GDC’s website, which is available at the following link:https://www.gdc-uk.org/registration/join-the-register/information-for-refugee-dental-professionals

How many dentists have completed the Dental Overseas Registration Examination in each of the last five years.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any discussions with the General Dental Council (GDC) regarding the length of time it takes for Ukrainian nationals to take the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE).The Department does not collect or hold information about the number of dentists that have completed the GDC’s ORE, the number of Ukrainian dentists who have completed their ORE, or the average waiting time to sit the ORE exam.With regards Ukrainian refugees’ applications to register as dental professionals in the United Kingdom, the GDC understands that refugees may face difficulties in providing original documentation and, if that is the case, encourages applicants to contact the GDC’s examinations team, who will help them to consider how they might go about meeting the requirements. More information for refugee dental professionals can be found on the GDC’s website, which is available at the following link:https://www.gdc-uk.org/registration/join-the-register/information-for-refugee-dental-professionals

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care how many Ukrainian dentists have completed the Overseas Registration Examination in each of the last three years.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any discussions with the General Dental Council (GDC) regarding the length of time it takes for Ukrainian nationals to take the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE).The Department does not collect or hold information about the number of dentists that have completed the GDC’s ORE, the number of Ukrainian dentists who have completed their ORE, or the average waiting time to sit the ORE exam.With regards Ukrainian refugees’ applications to register as dental professionals in the United Kingdom, the GDC understands that refugees may face difficulties in providing original documentation and, if that is the case, encourages applicants to contact the GDC’s examinations team, who will help them to consider how they might go about meeting the requirements. More information for refugee dental professionals can be found on the GDC’s website, which is available at the following link:https://www.gdc-uk.org/registration/join-the-register/information-for-refugee-dental-professionals