Written questions by Dhesi.

What information his Department holds on the number of deaths that were directly attributable to alcohol in each of the last five years.

The following table shows the number of alcohol-specific deaths in England, deaths that have been wholly caused by alcohol consumption, for all age groups, from 2019 to 2023:Year20192020202120222023Deaths5,8196,9847,5567,9128,274 The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including alcohol specific deaths.

What recent discussions has he had with stakeholders within the medical equipment industry on the provision of medical equipment to care facilities.

Local National Health Service procuring authorities are responsible for assessing the timeliness and quality of the medical equipment delivered for their patients, procured under contracts they hold with suppliers.The Department works closely with partners across the health system and medical technology landscape, including individual suppliers, trade associations, patient groups, and devolved administrations, to provide challenges and to ensure that stakeholder input is at the right level and at the right time. However, local NHS bodies are responsible for the provision of medical equipment to care facilities.

What steps his Department is taking to improve adult social care provision.

We recognise the challenges facing the adult social care system, and we are taking immediate action to improve the situation. These actions include:making up to £3.7 billion of additional funding available for social care authorities in 2025/26, including a £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant, resulting in a 6.8% increase to local government spending power in cash terms;taking forward a range of initiatives in 2025/26, including funding more home adaptations, promoting better use of care technologies, and professionalising the adult social care workforce;increasing the Carer's Allowance weekly earnings limit in April 2025 from £151 a week to £196, to support our unpaid family carers;introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to the adult social care sector so that care professionals are recognised and rewarded for the important work that they do; andlaunching an independent commission, which will begin in April 2025, as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. Chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, the commission will make clear recommendations for how to rebuild the adult social care system to meet the current and future needs of the population.Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care. The Department funds an annual programme of support to local authorities and their partners to help them improve the delivery of their statutory duties.

What recent assessment he has made of the (a) timeliness and (b) quality of medical equipment delivered to community care facilities for recently discharged hospital patients.

Local National Health Service procuring authorities are responsible for assessing the timeliness and quality of the medical equipment delivered for their patients, procured under contracts they hold with suppliers.The Department works closely with partners across the health system and medical technology landscape, including individual suppliers, trade associations, patient groups, and devolved administrations, to provide challenges and to ensure that stakeholder input is at the right level and at the right time. However, local NHS bodies are responsible for the provision of medical equipment to care facilities.

What recent steps his Department has taken to help tackle maternal health inequalities in (a) Slough and (b) Berkshire.

It is unacceptable that there are such stark inequalities for women and babies. It is a priority for the Government to make sure that all women and babies receive the high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their background, location, or ethnicity.Actions to tackle maternal health inequalities at the Slough and East Berkshire maternity services include, but are not limited to:- a Rapid Communication Aid, developed to assist in identifying patient needs in 30 languages;- free midwife-led antenatal education classes in Urdu, focusing on birth preparation for over 24 weeks gestation;- a culturally competent genetics service being established, to support informed decision-making for close relative couples;- equity training for staff on mandatory update day; and- the implementation of the MAMAs phone line, a triage service staffed by midwives with interpretation services.The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has also focused on addressing inequalities through measures such as improving access to perinatal mental health services and antenatal and preconception information, and by promoting an increase in folic acid uptake.Progress has also been made nationally in recent years. As part of NHS England's three-year plan, all local areas have now published Equity and Equality action plans to tackle inequalities for women and babies from ethnic minorities and for those living in the most deprived areas. However, we recognise that more is required. We are working closely with NHS England, and the wider sector, to identify the right actions and interventions that will deliver the required change.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the criteria used to determine the amount allocated for the Personal Expenses Allowance for residents in care homes.

The personal expenses allowance (PEA) sets the statutory minimum amount of income an individual residing in a care home must be left with after being charged for their care. These rates are reviewed annually, and local authorities also have the discretion to set higher rates where they choose.The 2025 Local Authority Circular, published on 3 March 2025, sets out that the rates of the PEA will be uprated in line with consumer price index (CPI) inflation for 2025/2026, to £30.65 per week.This aligns with the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2024 announcement that benefits will be uprated in line with CPI inflation.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the personal expenses allowance for residents of care homes.

The personal expenses allowance (PEA) sets the statutory minimum amount of income an individual residing in a care home must be left with after being charged for their care. These rates are reviewed annually, and local authorities also have the discretion to set higher rates where they choose.The 2025 Local Authority Circular, published on 3 March 2025, sets out that the rates of the PEA will be uprated in line with consumer price index (CPI) inflation for 2025/2026, to £30.65 per week.This aligns with the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2024 announcement that benefits will be uprated in line with CPI inflation.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to mental health support for people who are (a) homeless and (b) in temporary accommodation.

We recognise the importance of reducing barriers to healthcare services for those experiencing homelessness, this includes those in temporary accommodation.All local health systems should have mechanisms in place to ensure their mental health services can support people who are homeless. This should include work to routinely complete a mental health needs assessment for rough sleepers which will identify need and lead directly to action that increases access to mental health services for this population. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, new specialist mental health provision for rough sleepers was established in 37 of the areas that most in needed it between 2019/20 and 2023/24. An evaluation of these services is currently being undertaken.We are also working across Government, the health system, local government, commissioners, and the voluntary sector to review and support implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance on integrated health and social care for people experiencing homelessness, both nationally and locally.

Whether he plans to introduce legal requirements for practitioners of non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

The Government is committed to taking action to address longstanding concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector and is exploring options for further regulation in this area. We will set out the details of our approach in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that practitioners within the aesthetic industry comply with (a) licensing and (b) regulations.

The Government is committed to taking action to address longstanding concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector and is exploring options for further regulation in this area. We will set out the details of our approach in due course.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of regulatory reform within the aesthetic industry.

The Government is committed to taking action to address longstanding concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector and is exploring options for further regulation in this area. We will set out the details of our approach in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of patient safety within the aesthetic industry.

The Government is committed to taking action to address longstanding concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector and is exploring options for further regulation in this area. We will set out the details of our approach in due course.

What recent steps his Department has taken to reduce gynaecology waiting lists.

At the end of December 2024, the referral to treatment (RTT) gynaecology waiting list stood at 586,013 across England, with 55.4% of patient pathways waiting within 18 weeks.As set out in the Plan for Change, we have committed to return to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients, including those waiting for gynaecological care, wait no longer than 18 weeks from RTT by March 2029.  We provided additional investment in the Autumn Budget that has enabled us to deliver an additional two million appointments as a First Step to achieving this, seven months ahead of schedule.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the reform we will undertake to return to the 18-week standard, and ensure patients have the best possible experience while they wait. This includes commitments to offer patients care closer to home, in the community, including piloting gynaecology pathways in community diagnostic centres for patients with unscheduled bleeding on hormone replacement therapy. We have also committed to increasing the relative funding available to support gynaecology procedures with the largest waiting lists and reviewing support options from the independent sector.

What recent discussions he has had with Integrated Care Boards about their policies to reduce delayed discharge from hospital where patients meet the criteria to (a) return home or (b) receive community care.

The Government is working to reduce delayed discharges, ensuring that people are not stuck in hospital beds when they are well enough to go home. We will tackle delayed discharges by improving local partnership working between the National Health Service and the social care system, making sure people get the right support to return home as soon as possible. To drive improvements, we will work with those systems experiencing the worst discharge delays, using senior experts from across local government and the NHS.On 30 January 2025, the Government published a revised Better Care Fund policy framework for 2025/26. As part of this, the NHS and local authorities will be expected to make measurable improvements on delayed discharges.My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and I continue to engage with key partners and meet regularly with NHS England to discuss discharge and urgent & emergency care performance.

What recent steps he has taken to help improve the quality of maternity care in (a) Slough, (b) Berkshire and (c) England.

NHS England’s three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services has made good progress across England by rolling out of new maternal mental health services, Saving Babies Live Care Bundles and families are being engaged more through additional funding for Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships.Improvement to Slough and East Berkshire maternity services include alignment with the three-year delivery plan which include but are not limited to: the recruitment of more midwives to significantly reduce vacancies and have minimal shortages by 2025; increased access to services through a new maternity hub in Crowthorne; piloting a perinatal pelvic health service that provides women with information about pelvic health risks, signs of pelvic floor dysfunction, and prevention strategies; the implementation of the MAMAs phone line, a triage service staffed by midwives with interpretation services; a Rapid Communication Aid being developed to assist in identifying patient needs in 30 languages; free midwife-led antenatal education classes in Urdu being launched, focusing on birth preparation for over 24 weeks gestation; a culturally competent genetics service being established to support informed decision-making for Close Relative Couples; and equity training for staff on mandatory update day.The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has focused on addressing inequalities by improving access to perinatal mental health services and antenatal and preconception information and promoting an increase in folic acid uptake.

What recent steps his Department has taken to improve (a) maternity and (b) perinatal outcomes.

NHS England’s three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services is making good progress in rolling out new services to improve maternity and perinatal outcomes. All local areas have published Equity and Equality action plans setting out local action to tackle ethnic inequalities in maternal and neonatal outcomes; all 150 maternity and neonatal units in England are currently part of the Perinatal Culture and Leadership programme; there are important improvements to safety through version three of Saving Babies Live Care Bundle; and families are being engaged more through additional funding for Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships. NHS England is also rolling out perinatal pelvic health services and maternal mental health services to reduce rates of perineal tears, provide additional mental health support and improve outcomes for women.

What recent steps his Department has taken to improve cardiovascular disease outcomes.

The Government is committed to tackling the biggest killers, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the Health Mission sets an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% in the next 10 years. The Department held a symposium on heart disease and stroke on 13 March 2025 where charities, patient advocacy groups, clinicians, think-tanks and other experts discussed how to deliver on the ambition.We are tackling the root cause of preventable heart disease and stroke by introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, implementing the advertising regulations for less healthy food and drink on television and online, and empowering councils to block the development of new fast-food shops outside schools.To improve access to the NHS Health Check, a core component of England’s CVD prevention programme, we are developing a new NHS Heath Check Online tool so that people can have a check at a time and place convenient to them to understand and act on their CVD risk.Furthermore, we are trialling a new workplace CVD check which will deliver more than 130,000 lifesaving heart health checks in the workplace.

What steps he is taking to reduce treatment times for musculoskeletal conditions in Slough.

Over 17 million people in England live with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition.The Government is delivering the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England Getting It Right First Time MSK Community Delivery Programme, which will work directly with integrated care boards in England to further reduce MSK community waiting times, improve data, and enable referral pathways to wider support services. On 6 January 2025, NHS England published the new Elective Reform Plan, setting out funding to boost bone density scanning (DEXA) capacity, to support improvements in early diagnosis and bone health. This is expected to provide an estimated 29,000 extra scans per year once all are fully operational. DEXA scans are a vital component for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System (ICS), along with the Frimley ICS, which together cover the Berkshire area, is also working with all providers of MSK management to reduce waiting times and improve positive outcomes and experiences for patients requiring MSK care.

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of untreated musculoskeletal conditions on levels of lost workdays.

Over 17 million people in England live with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition, which are a leading cause of ill-health related economic inactivity, with 23.4 million working days lost across the United Kingdom in 2022 due to this. Improving health and work outcomes will help deliver the Government's missions to build a National Health Service fit for the future and kickstart economic growth. The Get Britain Working white paper sets out the Government’s plans to reform employment, health, and skills support, to tackle rising economic inactivity levels. The white paper announced the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England Getting It Right First Time MSK Community Delivery Programme, which has been working directly with integrated care boards in England to reduce MSK community waiting times and enable referral pathways to wider support services. As part of the mission led Government, regular cross Government collaboration takes place at both a ministerial and official level.

What recent steps he has taken to reduce waiting times for treatment for musculoskeletal conditions in (a) Slough, (b) Berkshire and (c) England.

Over 17 million people in England live with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition.The Government is delivering the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England Getting It Right First Time MSK Community Delivery Programme, which will work directly with integrated care boards in England to further reduce MSK community waiting times, improve data, and enable referral pathways to wider support services. On 6 January 2025, NHS England published the new Elective Reform Plan, setting out funding to boost bone density scanning (DEXA) capacity, to support improvements in early diagnosis and bone health. This is expected to provide an estimated 29,000 extra scans per year once all are fully operational. DEXA scans are a vital component for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System (ICS), along with the Frimley ICS, which together cover the Berkshire area, is also working with all providers of MSK management to reduce waiting times and improve positive outcomes and experiences for patients requiring MSK care.