UK government rules out appointment of valproate tsar

The UK government has ruled out appointing a valproate tsar or senior team to support people affected by sodium valproate.

Health minister Preet Kaur Gill made the statement in a parliamentary answer, published on 21 May 2026, in response to a question on whether the health secretary would “make an assessment of the potential merits” of appointing either a senior team or tsar.

Gill responded that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) “does not at present intend to appoint a senior team or a tsar in relation to those affected by sodium valproate”.

She instead referred to the appointment of Henrietta Hughes as the first patient safety commissioner in 2022, “to be the leading advocate for patients and drive forward improvements in the safety of medicines and medical devices, including sodium valproate and pelvic mesh”.

“The government is considering the work done by the patient safety commissioner and her report, which set out recommendations for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh.

“The government has been clear that there must be meaningful progress on redress. We recognise how difficult this uncertainty is for those affected, and we will ensure that the public is kept informed on the progress of this important work.”

‘The Hughes report‘, published in February 2024, called on the government to set up a two-stage redress scheme, including a possible £100,000 for each patient harmed as a result of valproate use, followed by a main scheme payout, based on the individual needs of each patient.

However, the government is yet to announce a redress scheme.   

In March 2026, Hughes wrote to Wes Streeting, then health secretary, regarding the almost two-year delay.

Streeting responded: “We hope to provide a full response to your recommendations as soon as possible. I have asked minister Ahmed [then health minister] to work with you closely as we take forward this work and keep you updated, including on any future decisions regarding financial redress.”

Unborn babies exposed to sodium valproate are at risk of developing foetal valproate spectrum disorder, the collective name for the variety of disorders and development issues some children experience after being exposed to the drug in the womb​, where the most severe cases are linked with fatalities.

The Epilepsy Society has estimated that there are approximately 20,000 people affected by foetal valproate spectrum disorder in the UK.