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Written question asked by Lord Polak (Conservative) on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Brain Cancer: Research

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how many NHS trusts in England have facilities for fresh-freezing brain cancer tissue samples.

Answer

Pathology services in England are delivered through 27 regional pathology networks, and offer a comprehensive range of tests, including the analysis of brain tissues.

Fresh-freezing, also referred to as snap-freezing, is a standard technique used by pathology networks to preserve tissue architecture without chemical fixatives, allowing for subsequent molecular or histological analysis, typically supporting research or advanced diagnostic applications.

Individual pathology services maintain their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fresh tissue samples and for the snap-freezing of tissue samples. These SOPs outline local capabilities and practices.

Information on the number of NHS trusts in England that have facilities for fresh freezing brain cancer tissue samples is not currently collected. However, the extent to which fresh freezing is used across NHS trusts is likely to vary depending on the availability of neurosurgery services.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL11676
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Research Refrigeration Brain cancer
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk