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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 Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Nurses: Hazardous Substances

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research his Department has commissioned on (a) reproductive health outcomes and (b) long‑term health effects of the occupational exposure of nursing staff to hazardous medicinal products; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of sickness absence related to such exposure.

Answer

The Government has not commissioned any research on the reproductive health outcomes or long-term health effects of the occupational exposure of nursing staff to hazardous medicinal products. No assessment has been made of the cost to the National Health Service of sickness absence related to this.

Sickness absence is managed at an organisational level across the NHS. NHS organisations have their own policies and procedures in place to manage and reduce sickness absence, including any reasonable adjustments to allow people to return to work and/or prevent future absence. It is important that employers across the NHS take a preventative and proactive approach to supporting their staff and keeping them healthy.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
84445
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Costs Hazardous substances NHS Nurses Sick leave
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk