Written question asked by Luke Akehurst (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 October 2025. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 30 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Hazardous Substances: Health Professions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he will require NHS employers to provide ongoing (a) education, (b) training and (c) health surveillance for all staff who (i) handle and (ii) may be exposed to hazardous medicinal products.

Answer

Where hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) are substances hazardous to health within the meaning of The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended) (COSHH), every employer is required to provide that employee with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training.

COSHH sets out specific requirements for where health surveillance is appropriate for the protection of the health of employees who are, or are liable to be, exposed to a substance hazardous to health. This includes where the exposure of the employee to a substance hazardous to health is such that –

(i) an identifiable disease or adverse health effect may be related to the exposure;

(ii) there is a reasonable likelihood that the disease or effect may occur under the particular conditions of his work; and

(iii) (iii) there are valid techniques for detecting indications of the disease or effect and the technique of investigation is of low risk to the employee.

It is therefore for the employer to determine if health surveillance is appropriate as part of it’s duties under COSHH.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 84444
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Health Professions: Hazardous Substances
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Subjects: Education Health professions Hazardous substances Training
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Hazardous Substances: Health Professions

Secondary information

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