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Written question asked by Paulette Hamilton (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2026. It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Brain: Tumours

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the fresh freezing and storage of brain tumour tissue, including data collected through NHS England’s gap analysis of freezer capacity; and if he will provide the most recent available data by NHS trust on the (a) availability of suitable freezer capacity and (b) proportion of brain tumour patients whose tissue is routinely fresh-frozen and stored following surgery.

Answer

NHS England has completed a gap analysis of the need for freezer capacity and is looking at how to support services to provide an equitable expansion of that capacity. 

The Department and NHS England will work with professional bodies, including the Royal College of Pathologists, to review tissue retention guidance and consent processes.

The Department is looking at ways to support trusts to expand freezer capacity, and will provide an update on this in the autumn.

There are no plans to publish the full gap analysis. The data is management information which is not routinely published.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10939
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Brain Freezers Tumours Human tissue
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk