Helen Maguire MP: written questions 2026

Written questions

• Audiology: Community Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103116More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to expand access to community-based NHS hearing health services.

  Answer: Integrated care boards (ICBs) have a statutory responsibility to commission cost-effective healthcare to meet the needs of their local population, and this includes community-based hearing services.The Medium-Term Planning Framework sets a clear target fo...

  Answered 20 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Audiology: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103115More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NHS England's 2023/34 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance, updated on 27 January 2024, what steps he is taking to ensure ICBs increase (a) direct access and (b) self -ref

  Answer: As part of our effort to shift care from hospital to home, the Government wants to support people to live independently in the community. We pledged in the 10-Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, that through the NHS App, patients will be able to boo...

  Answered 12 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record
• General Practitioners: Working HoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103114More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will release national messaging for patients on the difference between routine and urgent core-hours requirements for GPs.

  Answer: As part of the 2025/26 GP Contract, NHS England published You and Your General Practice (YYGP) guidance. YYGP has been developed to help patients understand what to expect from their general practice (GP) and how they can get the best from their GP team. ...

  Answered 20 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record
• General Practitioners: Working HoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103113More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support suppliers with extended GP online consultation hours.

  Answer: General practices (GPs) have been required to offer and promote an online consultation tool to their registered patients since 2021. The change introduced in October 2025 regarding online access explicitly requires that all modes of contacting the practic...

  Answered 23 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record