Written questions by Morrison.

If he will make an (a) economic and (b) regulatory assessment of the potential impact of In Silico computer modelling and simulation methods on the (i) pharmaceutical and (ii) medical device sectors.

Funding has recently been established through the Centre of Excellence in In-Silico Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI). This CERSI cements the United Kingdom’s role at the forefront of regulatory science, driving forward the innovations of tomorrow while upholding our unwavering commitment to public health. This first-of-its-kind programme embeds innovation at the very heart of our regulatory processes. It will make a substantial contribution to the development of a regulatory framework to support the adoption and assessments of these technologies. It will support and safely accelerate clinical investigation and trial regulatory assessments, improve patient safety, and reduce the time to safely allow the devices or medications to be used by the patients who need them. It will reduce the time to develop and take a device or medication to the market, reducing the cost of drug development. Therefore, it will position the UK globally as one of the best places to conduct safe and effective investigations and trials.These activities will be led by this CERSI in collaboration with the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Innovate UK.

For what purpose his Department has provided funding from the critical infrastructure risk fund to Stepping Hill Hospital.

Repairing and rebuilding our hospital estate is a vital part of our ambition to create a National Health Service that is fit for the future.In this context, Stockport Foundation NHS Trust has been provided with £11.5 million in 2024/25 to facilitate the restoration of outpatient capacity at Stepping Hill Hospital. In December 2024, construction work began on the new outpatient building, which will deliver much needed improvements to capacity as well as patient and staff safety.

What steps he is taking to improve women’s access to healthcare services.

The Government will prioritise women’s health as we reform the National Health Service, ensuring that all women can access the care that they need. We are committed to the Women’s Health Strategy and are continuing work to deliver it. For example, support for pregnancy loss through a full rollout of Baby Loss Certificates, menopause support in the workplace, and boosting women’s participation in research and clinical trials.We have also taken urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan. In gynaecology, the plan supports innovative models offering patients care closer to home, and piloting gynaecology pathways in Community Diagnostic Centres for patients with post-menopausal bleeding. Women’s health hubs also have a key role in shifting care out of hospitals and reducing gynaecology waiting lists. As of December 2024, 39 out of 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) reported to NHS England that they had at least one operational women’s health hub. We continue to engage with and encourage ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hubs pilots to improve local delivery of services to women. Our longer-term priorities for implementing the Women’s Health Strategy will be aligned with the 10-Year Health Plan and our missions.