Written questions by Maskell.

If he will take steps to accelerate the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan targets to recruit more NHS staff.

Domestic training places have not kept pace with increases in demand for workforce and bringing in the staff we need will take time. We have committed to delivering the Long Term Workforce Plan to ensure that the National Health Service has the staff it needs to be there for all of us when we need it. We also recognise the importance of having a robust and well-supported healthcare workforce, and will ensure that the NHS can attract and retain the necessary staff across all roles.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national career framework for social care staff that is integrated with the job-evaluated Agenda for Change pay and conditions framework in the NHS.

Those working in social care have been ignored for too long, and so will be at the heart of our initial reforms. We will start by engaging with care workers and trade unions to deliver a long over-due new deal, which will include establishing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals. The details of this will be agreed as part of this process.

If he will make it his policy to introduce standardised training for staff working in social care.

Enhancing skills for staff working in social care is of critical importance, and we want care to be both personalised and of outstanding quality. We are currently reviewing our approach and will work with the sector and other interested organisations, such as the recently announced Skills England, to agree on the right approach.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the eligibility criteria for the Health and Care Worker visa on the ability of social care employers to recruit staff.

The Department does not intend to make a specific assessment of the impact of the eligibility criteria on the ability of social care employers to recruit staff. The Government will continue to monitor workforce capacity in the sector closely, including the role of international recruitment.We recognise the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and reduce the reliance on international recruitment. We want it to be regarded as a profession, and for the people who work in care to be respected as professionals.

If he will take steps to establish a royal commission on social care.

The Government is determined to tackle the challenges facing adult social care. We want everyone to live an independent, dignified life, which is why we are committed to reform and will take steps to create a National Care Service.We will be setting out more detail of our priorities for adult social care in due course.

What steps he plans to take to support NHS trusts which are seeking a new hospital in the next 10 to 15 years.

The Government is concerned by the condition of hospital infrastructure across the National Health Service estate and acknowledges there was significant interest among NHS trusts to join the New Hospital Programme (NHP). We recognise that change is desperately needed to deliver an NHS fit for the future and provide patients across the country with the care they need.Strategic, value for money investments in capital projects are critical to achieving these missions. This may be in new hospitals, significant upgrades, or other targeted capital investments. The Department is currently reviewing capital requirements in line with the Government’s missions and as part of our internal Spending Review preparations.Any support for NHS trusts seeking new hospital infrastructure beyond 2030 will follow the Government setting out its priorities and funding at the Spending Review in Autumn 2024.

If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of (a) early interventions to help tackle sexually transmitted diseases and (b) other sexual health services.

The Government is committed to improving the sexual health of the nation, including access to, and quality of, sexual health services for the whole population. Public health services commissioned by local authorities in England continue to be funded through a ring-fenced Public Health Grant. In 2024/25, the total Public Health Grant to local authorities has been confirmed at £3.603 billion, through which sexual health services are funded. Local authorities are best placed to commission sexual health services to meet the needs of their local population.We will work with local government and other key partners to prevent ill health, improve the wider determinants of health, reduce the inequalities that drive poor health, and agree on the most effective interventions to achieve our shared ambitions.

If he will maintain levels of funding for sexual health services.

The Government is committed to improving the sexual health of the nation, including access to, and quality of, sexual health services for the whole population. Public health services commissioned by local authorities in England continue to be funded through a ring-fenced Public Health Grant. In 2024/25, the total Public Health Grant to local authorities has been confirmed at £3.603 billion, through which sexual health services are funded. Local authorities are best placed to commission sexual health services to meet the needs of their local population.We will work with local government and other key partners to prevent ill health, improve the wider determinants of health, reduce the inequalities that drive poor health, and agree on the most effective interventions to achieve our shared ambitions.

What steps he plans to take to help reduce the use of (a) nitazenes and (b) other illicit substances in areas where there is growing use of such synthetic substances.

The Department is monitoring and responding to the threat posed by the growing levels of nitazenes and other potent synthetic drugs. It is vital that steps are taken to reduce the use of these substances, including by increasing awareness of their dangers. The Government has a drug information and advice service called Talk to FRANK which aims to reduce drug misuse and its harms by providing awareness to young people and to parents. Information on synthetic opioids and the danger of their misuse is available at the following link:https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/synthetic-opioids Education on drug use is also a statutory component of relationships and sex education, and health education in England. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and the Department for Education have commissioned lesson plans and other resources to support teachers to deliver quality drug prevention, which are available to schools. The lesson plans target primary and secondary students, teaching them how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe. These resources are in the process of being updated and there will be increased emphasis on the risks of synthetic drugs. The Department has also invested an additional £532 million into drug and alcohol treatment and recovery provision between 2022/23 and 2024/25, to ensure those in need can access high quality help and support. For those using opiates, treatment is the safest place to be.

If he will take steps with Directors of Public Health to ensure there is adequate funding for sexual health services.

The Government is committed to improving the sexual health of the nation, including access to, and quality of, sexual health services for the whole population. Public health services commissioned by local authorities in England continue to be funded through a ring-fenced Public Health Grant. In 2024/25, the total Public Health Grant to local authorities has been confirmed at £3.603 billion, through which sexual health services are funded. Local authorities are best placed to commission sexual health services to meet the needs of their local population.We will work with local government and other key partners to prevent ill health, improve the wider determinants of health, reduce the inequalities that drive poor health, and agree on the most effective interventions to achieve our shared ambitions.

If he will commission a strategy on the (a) research, (b) diagnosis and (c) management of cancer.

The NHS Long-Term Plan published in January 2019 sets out the National Health Service’s key ambitions on cancer, including acknowledging the importance of research and cancer management. The Plan also sets out the NHS ambition to increase the number of cancers diagnosed at stage one and two to 75% by 2028 and to increase the number of people surviving cancer for five years by 55,000 as a result.Lord Ara Darzi is currently undertaking an independent investigation into the state of the NHS, the findings of which will feed into the Government’s 10-year plan to build a health service that is fit for the future. The Government will set out any further priorities on cancer and health in due course.

If he will respond to the letter from the former Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee on the Men's health inquiry to his predecessor, published on 23 May 2024.

The Government will respond to the Health and Social Care Committee’s letter on the Men’s Health Inquiry. We will write to the new select committee, after considering the findings and recommendations outlined in the correspondence.

When he plans to respond to the Third Report of the Health and Social Care Committee of Session 2023-24 on Pharmacy, HC 140, published on 29 May 2024.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is committed to responding to the report published by the Health and Social Care Committee ahead of his next appearance before the committee. Together we are considering the report’s recommendations, and the Department and NHS England are currently in consultation with Community Pharmacy England on many of the matters raised in the report.

What assessment he has made of recent trends in the number of pancreatic cancer diagnoses; and what steps he plans to take to help support research into less treatable cancers.

The National Health Service’s latest available data shows that the number of pancreatic cancer cases diagnosed in 2021 was 9,728, compared to 9,263 in 2019, showing a gradual increase. Delivering more research is key to understanding and assessing the challenges around cancers with lower survival rates. The Department invests £1.3 billion per year into health research, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including all cancers. As with other Government funding of health research, the NIHR does not allocate funding for specific disease areas, including less survivable cancers. The level of research spend in a particular area is driven by factors including scientific potential and the number and scale of successful funding applications.The NHS Cancer Programme has commissioned 10 clinical cancer audits, which will provide timely evidence for cancer service providers where patterns of care in England may vary, increase the consistency of access to treatments, and help stimulate improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes for patients. This includes an audit on pancreatic cancer. NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme has appointed a team of 5 specialist clinicians to lead a national review into services for pancreatic cancer patients in England. As part of their review, the GIRFT clinicians are visiting 23 networks. Early evidence shows that tracking patients throughout their pathway, both geographically and chronologically, supports an optimal service, making good use of Clinical Nurse Specialists. The final report will be completed in 2024/25.

If he will respond to the letter from the former Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee entitled Future Cancer: inquiry progress to his predecessor, published on 23 May 2024.

The Department has received the letter and is reviewing the recommendations made by the former Chair of the Committee. When the Health and Social Care Committee is reconstituted in the autumn, we will consider an appropriate response at that time.

What steps he plans to take to (a) review take up levels of vaccinations and (b) raise awareness of the potential benefits of vaccinations (i) in childhood and (ii) for tackling (A) flu and (B) cov

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitors and reviews vaccination coverage, including the assessment of barriers that reduce the uptake of vaccination, for all routine immunisation programmes in England.To raise awareness of vaccination benefits, the...

What steps he is taking to help ensure adequate funding for community pharmacy services.

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. We are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies, and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. We are currently consulting with Community Pharmacy England on the national funding and contractual framework arrangements for 2024/25.

What steps his Department is taking to help prevent delayed discharges from hospital to (a) residential care and (b) homes with domiciliary care provision.

The Government is committed to ensuring that hospital departments are no longer blocked due to delayed discharges. By developing local partnership working between the National Health Service and social care, we will ensure that people are not stuck in hospital beds when they are well enough to go home.The Government’s commitment to supporting providers to deliver better pay, conditions and training will help fill vacancies, so care providers can better support hospitals to reduce delayed discharges.

When he plans to commence preparations for winter planning; and if he will make it his policy to prioritise funding for increased levels of care in the community in those plans.

Guidance on winter planning for health and care services is expected to be issued by the summer recess, building on NHS England’s 2024/25 operational planning guidance published in April 2024.The Government has been clear that as part of the future reforms of the National Health Service, we must increasingly shift from a model geared towards late diagnosis and treatment, to one where the NHS focuses on prevention, and where more services are delivered in local communities.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of capacity in secure and forensic mental health facilities; and whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential merits of increasing the number of prisoners moved into such facilities.

No such recent assessment has been made. However, NHS England has advised that work is currently underway with the 15 Adult Secure Provider Collaboratives across England to speed up the safe and timely transfer of appropriately assessed people from prison. This includes identifying existing capacity, including workforce estates and location, that can be reconfigured at pace; identifying where additional capacity, including workforce and estates, may be required; and, scoping at pace, the creation of alternative clinically safe service models.Decisions about transferring people with severe mental health needs from prison to secure hospital are made on the basis of a robust clinical assessment to ensure that people in prison get the care they need in the right setting.Ministers have not yet had any such discussions. My colleague, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Women's Health and Mental Health, will be meeting with her Ministerial counterparts in the Ministry of Justice in due course to discuss matters relating to offender health and how our departments can work together.