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Written question asked by Richard Holden (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. A substantive answer was provided by Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 December 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Congenital Abnormalities

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87431 on Congenital Abnormalities, what consanguinity data NHS England collects through the Maternity Services Data Set; what assessment he has made of the completeness and reliability of those data; and whether he has reviewed that information in his Department.

Answer

Consanguinity can be recorded in the Maternity Services Data Set (MSDS) at any point in the maternity care pathway, by maternity services providers, including a relevant clinical code in the submitted MSDS record for an individual receiving maternity care. NHS England has published guidance for maternity services providers on preferred clinical codes to submit, and in which data tables. Only a small number of National Health Service trusts have recently submitted any of the consanguinity clinical codes to MSDS. An evaluation of the Genetic Risk Equity Project will include an analysis of the quality of the consanguinity data on MSDS.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
93104
Session
2024-26
Related items
Congenital Abnormalities
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Congenital abnormalities Relatives Public health
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk