Written questions by Heylings.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of NHS cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia; and whether he plans to increase the coverage of that therapy.

It is for local integrated care boards to decide whether cognitive behavioural therapy should be offered to their local populations as a treatment for insomnia. NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression offers low-intensity therapy which may include interventions around sleep hygiene. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies, with further information available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/ Individuals can also access helpful resources on sleep problems on the Every Mind Matters website, which is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of shingles vaccines for all over 65s.

From September 2023, the routine shingles vaccination programme changed from the Zostavax vaccine to the two dose Shingrix vaccine, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the h...

If he will publish a new dementia strategy which references the use of music to support people living with dementia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Quality Standard on Dementia, published in June 2019, recommends that therapeutic use of music be considered as a means of non-pharmacological intervention for people with dementia. Localities should...

If he will publish a social care strategy which includes support for the use of musical techniques for people living with dementia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Quality Standard on Dementia, published in June 2019, recommends that therapeutic use of music be considered as a means of non-pharmacological intervention for people with dementia. Localities should...

What steps he plans to take to improve the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of Lyme disease.

There are several studies and projects being undertaken in the United Kingdom looking at the prevalence and distribution of Lyme disease. Examples include two studies undertaken in association with National Institute of Health Research. One is focussing o...