Department of Health and Social Care
We support ministers in leading the nation’s health and social care to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Helen Morgan (LD - North Shropshire)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Health and Social Care)
Danny Chambers (LD - Winchester)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Mental Health)
Scottish National Party
Seamus Logan (SNP - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Health and Social Care)
Green Party
Adrian Ramsay (Green - Waveney Valley)Green Spokesperson (Health)
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Pidgeon (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Health)
Conservative
Damian Hinds (Con - East Hampshire)Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Kamall (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
Caroline Johnson (Con - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Neil Shastri-Hurst (Con - Solihull West and Shirley)Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Health and Social Care)
Gregory Stafford (Con - Farnham and Bordon)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Health and Social Care)
Ministers of State
Karin Smyth (Lab - Bristol South)Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Diana Johnson (Lab - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead)
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Chris McDonald (Lab - Stockton North)
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Merron (Lab - Life peer)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
James Frith (Lab - Bury North)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
00:01
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has asked the National Institute for Health …
Section 1 of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (c. 18) (“the 2026 Act”) changes the required age at which …
A Bill to make provision about health and social care.
16:09
Department of Health and Social Care Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Bills currently before Parliament
Department of Health and Social Care does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
A Bill to make provision about the supply of tobacco, vapes and other products, including provision prohibiting the sale of tobacco to people born on or after 1 January 2009 and provision about the licensing of retail sales and the registration of retailers; to enable product and information requirements to be imposed in connection with tobacco, vapes and other products; to control the advertising and promotion of tobacco, vapes and other products; and to make provision about smoke-free places, vape-free places and heated tobacco-free places.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to Make provision about the prioritisation of graduates from medical schools in the United Kingdom and certain other persons for places on medical training programmes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 5th March 2026 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision to amend the Mental Health Act 1983 in relation to mentally disordered persons; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th December 2025 and was enacted into law.
Department of Health and Social Care - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
(40,331 in the last 7 days)
(20,798 in the last 7 days)
(3,556 in the last 7 days)
(1,868 in the last 7 days)
(1,390 in the last 7 days)
(108 in the last 7 days)
(40,331 in the last 7 days)
(3,556 in the last 7 days)
(20,798 in the last 7 days)
(167 in the last 7 days)
Petition Closed
Appoint a Maternity Commissioner to improve maternity care for mums and babies
Gov Responded - 28 Jan 2026 Debated on - 20 Apr 2026closed 2 months ago
A 2024 parliamentary birth trauma inquiry recommended a Maternity Commissioner be appointed alongside a National Maternity Strategy to ensure mums and their babies were safe and looked after with professionalism and compassion.
Petition Closed
Remove power to cancel local government elections
closed 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Change the law to remove the power of the Secretary of State to cancel any further forthcoming local government, metropolitan borough, London borough or any other elections, for example, but not limited to, those due in May 2026.
Petition Closed
Review the evidence and fund the addition of SMA to the Newborn Screening Test
Gov Responded - 14 Jul 2026closed 1 month ago
We urge the UK Government to fund and help fast-track the process to add SMA to the NHS newborn heel-prick test. SMA is a rare genetic condition with devastating consequences if not treated early. Every baby should be screened at birth to allow early diagnosis and access to life-changing treatment.
Departmental Select Committee
Health and Social Care Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Health and Social Care Committee
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 9th September 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Health and Social Care Committee Member since 17th March 2025
Health and Social Care Committee: 9 Current Inquiries
Health and Social Care Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)Nabiximols is the United States Adopted Name for the medication marketed as Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol) and licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.
The attached table shows the number of identifiable patients who were prescribed Sativex in the community in England by integrated care board in each financial year from 2023 to 2026 and from April 2026 to June 2026. The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on patient condition or reasons for why Sativex has been prescribed.
The Department has made no assessment of the levels of variation in access to Sativex for multiple-sclerosis related spasticity. National Health Service commissioners are expected to take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE keeps its guidelines under review and would consider the need to update its recommendations on Sativex in light of any new evidence.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Nabiximols is the United States Adopted Name for the medication marketed as Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol) and licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.
The attached table shows the number of identifiable patients who were prescribed Sativex in the community in England by integrated care board in each financial year from 2023 to 2026 and from April 2026 to June 2026. The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on patient condition or reasons for why Sativex has been prescribed.
The Department has made no assessment of the levels of variation in access to Sativex for multiple-sclerosis related spasticity. National Health Service commissioners are expected to take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE keeps its guidelines under review and would consider the need to update its recommendations on Sativex in light of any new evidence.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Nabiximols is the United States Adopted Name for the medication marketed as Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol) and licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.
The attached table shows the number of identifiable patients who were prescribed Sativex in the community in England by integrated care board in each financial year from 2023 to 2026 and from April 2026 to June 2026. The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on patient condition or reasons for why Sativex has been prescribed.
The Department has made no assessment of the levels of variation in access to Sativex for multiple-sclerosis related spasticity. National Health Service commissioners are expected to take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE keeps its guidelines under review and would consider the need to update its recommendations on Sativex in light of any new evidence.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Nabiximols is the United States Adopted Name for the medication marketed as Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol) and licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.
The attached table shows the number of identifiable patients who were prescribed Sativex in the community in England by integrated care board in each financial year from 2023 to 2026 and from April 2026 to June 2026. The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on patient condition or reasons for why Sativex has been prescribed.
The Department has made no assessment of the levels of variation in access to Sativex for multiple-sclerosis related spasticity. National Health Service commissioners are expected to take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of their local populations. NICE keeps its guidelines under review and would consider the need to update its recommendations on Sativex in light of any new evidence.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Charlie Dewhirst
(Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
External meetings held by ministers and senior civil servants are reported on a quarterly basis in the Department’s transparency publications. Officials in the Department and NHS England are in regular contact with a range of external stakeholders, but do not routinely record or publish details of all such meetings, calls, and correspondence.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 15 July to Question 16704.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 July in response to Question 13406.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 July in response to Question 13406.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Business Services Authority considers the evidence in each case on its own merits, and cancels a penalty charge, under the provisions of Regulation 2(3)(g)(ii) of the National Health Service (Penalty Charge) Regulations 1999, where it is satisfied that the regulation applies.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Charlie Dewhirst
(Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
With regard to departmental spend, I refer the Hon. Member to the response previously given on 13 October 2025 to Question 77003.
NHS England’s national campaigns team has spent a total £50,098 on social media influencers since July 2024. The figure provided is only spend from the NHS England national campaigns team rather than for NHS England as a whole. Other teams across the National Health Service organisation may have spent money on influencers, but this information is not centrally held.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
No such assessment has been made.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Luke Evans
(Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 14 July 2026 in response to Question 16121.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, published in July, sets a clear direction for how the health and care system should accelerate progress on the Government’s ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter within a decade.
Cardiovascular disease is a major focus within the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire health systems. It is one of three strategic transformation priorities within the Five-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, 2026/27 to 2030/31.
The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England, published in April, sets out how we will improve women's health outcomes over the next decade, through systemic changes that will help tackle leading causes of death amongst women, including cardiovascular disease. As part of this prevention-focused approach, menopause will soon be included in routine NHS health checks for over 40 year olds, helping women understand menopause symptoms, including its links to cardiovascular health, and access appropriate support.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, published in July, sets a clear direction for how the health and care system should accelerate progress on the Government’s ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter within a decade.
Cardiovascular disease is a major focus within the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire health systems. It is one of three strategic transformation priorities within the Five-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, 2026/27 to 2030/31.
The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England, published in April, sets out how we will improve women's health outcomes over the next decade, through systemic changes that will help tackle leading causes of death amongst women, including cardiovascular disease. As part of this prevention-focused approach, menopause will soon be included in routine NHS health checks for over 40 year olds, helping women understand menopause symptoms, including its links to cardiovascular health, and access appropriate support.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, published in July, sets a clear direction for how the health and care system should accelerate progress on the Government’s ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter within a decade.
Cardiovascular disease is a major focus within the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire health systems. It is one of three strategic transformation priorities within the Five-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, 2026/27 to 2030/31.
The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England, published in April, sets out how we will improve women's health outcomes over the next decade, through systemic changes that will help tackle leading causes of death amongst women, including cardiovascular disease. As part of this prevention-focused approach, menopause will soon be included in routine NHS health checks for over 40 year olds, helping women understand menopause symptoms, including its links to cardiovascular health, and access appropriate support.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework, published in July, sets a clear direction for how the health and care system should accelerate progress on the Government’s ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter within a decade.
Cardiovascular disease is a major focus within the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire health systems. It is one of three strategic transformation priorities within the Five-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, 2026/27 to 2030/31.
The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England, published in April, sets out how we will improve women's health outcomes over the next decade, through systemic changes that will help tackle leading causes of death amongst women, including cardiovascular disease. As part of this prevention-focused approach, menopause will soon be included in routine NHS health checks for over 40 year olds, helping women understand menopause symptoms, including its links to cardiovascular health, and access appropriate support.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 8 September 2026 in response to Question 20033.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Health Check that is used to measure implementation of Priority 2 does not formally record atrial fibrillation, and as such, the Department and NHS England are still considering how we can better measure the full scope of the priorities set out in the modern service framework. Further updates will be provided in due course.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
No data is centrally held on the uptake of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service provision. The following table shows the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme’s uptake over the last five financial years:
2021/22 | 12,763 |
2022/23 | 13,817 |
2023/24 | 12,930 |
2024/25 | 10,315 |
2025/26 | 10,344 |
The usage of the schemes cannot be disaggregated by rural/non-rural areas as the data is not collected in this way.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government keeps the total number of medical school places under close review to ensure it meets England’s workforce requirements, and decisions on training numbers will be considered as part of the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan.
General practice (GP) is a medical specialty, with doctors undertaking relevant specialty training following completion of medical school and the two-year Foundation Programme.
NHS England continues to expand the number of GP training places. An additional 250 GP training places will be available from September 2026, bringing the total number of training places to 4,500 with plans to expand further each year and reach 5,000 places by 2028.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As set out in the 10 Year Capital Plan, Government has committed over £200 million of Utilisation and Modernisation funding over four years to continue upgrading the general practice estate. The NHS East of England region has been provisionally allocated £25 million.
A further £200 million from this fund will support refurbishing the existing estate to deliver approximately 50 neighbourhood health centres this Parliament. We announced Wave 1 of neighbourhood health centre upgrade schemes in March 2026, with 27 sites across England selected to bring care closer to home.
Proposals for future waves of neighbourhood health centres are currently being assessed against the published criteria, as set out in the Neighbourhood Health Centre Guidance, with final decisions on future schemes yet to be confirmed. Projects that meet the criteria will be invited to develop detailed business cases before any final funding decisions are taken.
Across 2026/27 to 2029/30, the NHS East of England region has been allocated £579.6 million to deliver a left shift from hospital to community care and support the return to constitutional standards. The NHS Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust has been allocated £181.6 million in operational capital with they can allocate to local priorities over 2026/27 to 2029/30.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 14 July to Question 17166.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she was provided on 8 September in response to Question 22549.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she was provided on 8 September in response to Question 22549.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she was provided on 8 September in response to Question 22549.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
On 29 July, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set out the Government’s plans to fix the social care system, so that it gives people dignity, security and support when they need it most. This includes integrating the social care workforce with the National Health Service workforce, creating routes for progression, better pay, training and job security.
We will provide an update on the 10 Year Workforce Plan in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 11 September 2026 in response to Question HL2845, which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below.
The Government recognises the important role that hospital helipads can play in supporting emergency and specialist care pathways. However, it has not established, and is not currently considering, a dedicated contingency fund for hospital helipad infrastructure.
Decisions on capital investment are primarily taken by National Health Service organisations and systems, which must balance a range of competing clinical and estate priorities within available resources. Where helipad infrastructure is identified as a local priority, NHS organisations may consider how best to support these requirements, including through charitable contributions such as those provided by the HELP Appeal.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.
As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.
Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.
As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.
Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.
As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.
Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 23 June in response to Question 9942.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are working to deliver 250 neighbourhood health centres by 2035. The first 120 centres, expected by 2030, will be delivered through the NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild Programme using a mix of public investment and a new model of public–private partnerships.
On 15 April 2026, we published neighbourhood health centre guidance and specifications, to support regions and integrated care boards (ICBs) in developing their neighbourhood health estate strategies and pipelines. This guidance sets out the criteria that will guide the ICB funding prioritisation and national assurance, including strategic alignment with neighbourhood health objectives, population need, deliverability, value for money, and financial sustainability.
We are currently assessing neighbourhood health centre proposals submitted by ICBs. We received proposals from all regions, and all those submitted by the 28 May 2026 deadline are being assessed against the published criteria. Decisions have not yet been finalised, and it would therefore be premature to comment on any individual location. ICBs hold the relevant information on neighbourhood health centre proposal submissions, and we encourage MPs to continue to engage with their local ICB as schemes are developed.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are working to deliver 250 neighbourhood health centres by 2035. The first 120 centres, expected by 2030, will be delivered through the NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild Programme using a mix of public investment and a new model of public–private partnerships.
On 15 April 2026, we published neighbourhood health centre guidance and specifications, to support regions and integrated care boards (ICBs) in developing their neighbourhood health estate strategies and pipelines. This guidance sets out the criteria that will guide the ICB funding prioritisation and national assurance, including strategic alignment with neighbourhood health objectives, population need, deliverability, value for money, and financial sustainability.
We are currently assessing neighbourhood health centre proposals submitted by ICBs. We received proposals from all regions, and all those submitted by the 28 May 2026 deadline are being assessed against the published criteria. Decisions have not yet been finalised, and it would therefore be premature to comment on any individual location. ICBs hold the relevant information on neighbourhood health centre proposal submissions, and we encourage MPs to continue to engage with their local ICB as schemes are developed.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In respect of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE), the two organisations currently operate under different pay frameworks. DHSC, as a Civil Service department, applies pay and grading arrangements in line with Civil Service requirements. NHSE, as an Arm's Length Body, uses NHS pay and grading arrangements including Agenda for Change and other NHS contractual frameworks. Any future decisions on pay and terms and conditions in the new DHSC will be subject to formal consultation with recognised Trade Unions, and we will not give a running commentary on those discussions.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises the important role that hospital helipads can play in supporting emergency and specialist care pathways. However, it has not established, and is not currently considering, a dedicated contingency fund for hospital helipad infrastructure.
Decisions on capital investment are primarily taken by National Health Service organisations and systems, which must balance a range of competing clinical and estate priorities within available resources. Where helipad infrastructure is identified as a local priority, NHS organisations may consider how best to support these requirements, including through charitable contributions such as those provided by the HELP Appeal.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to returning to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment.
The NHS Oversight Framework 2026/27 provides a consistent basis for identifying performance concerns and determining where organisations may require support or intervention. The NHS Medium Term Planning Framework also ensures that there is public accountability for performance.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While ophthalmology waiting lists have increased since July 2024, waiting times for these services have improved. The proportion of waits below 18 weeks has increased from 65.7% in July 2024 to 74.1% in May 2026, an 8.4 percentage point improvement.
This Government is committed to returning by March 2029 to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment across all specialties, including in ophthalmology services.
We are taking specific steps to improve services like ophthalmology. NHS England accelerator pilots have demonstrated that improved IT connectivity and a single point of access can significantly speed up eye care referrals and support more patients to be managed in the community, in line with the ambitions in the 10-Year Health Plan.
In May 2026, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme released a best practice guidance for the care of patients with glaucoma, and this will be the first in a series of best practice documents for ophthalmology conditions. The aim of this series is to standardise the patient pathways in use across England in line with best practice, which will enable the most complex and most at risk to be seen more quickly by specialist ophthalmology teams.
We are also committed to expanding the number of surgical hubs, which provide dedicated and protected elective capacity to drive improvement in six specialities, including ophthalmology.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While ophthalmology waiting lists have increased since July 2024, waiting times for these services have improved. The proportion of waits below 18 weeks has increased from 65.7% in July 2024 to 74.1% in May 2026, an 8.4 percentage point improvement.
This Government is committed to returning by March 2029 to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment across all specialties, including in ophthalmology services.
We are taking specific steps to improve services like ophthalmology. NHS England accelerator pilots have demonstrated that improved IT connectivity and a single point of access can significantly speed up eye care referrals and support more patients to be managed in the community, in line with the ambitions in the 10-Year Health Plan.
In May 2026, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme released a best practice guidance for the care of patients with glaucoma, and this will be the first in a series of best practice documents for ophthalmology conditions. The aim of this series is to standardise the patient pathways in use across England in line with best practice, which will enable the most complex and most at risk to be seen more quickly by specialist ophthalmology teams.
We are also committed to expanding the number of surgical hubs, which provide dedicated and protected elective capacity to drive improvement in six specialities, including ophthalmology.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not centrally record whether providers are delivering National Health Service funded care, so cannot identify Regulation 20 duty of candour breaches by those independent providers.
In the last three years, the CQC has suspended the registration of one independent healthcare organisation for breaches of Regulation 20. The CQC has also requested action plans from two independent healthcare organisations for breaches of Regulation 20.
All providers of NHS funded care must comply with the NHS Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 in their complaints handling arrangements. This includes the requirement to advise a complainant of their right to refer their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) if they are dissatisfied with the response to their complaint. It is the role of the PHSO to independently investigate complaints that NHS and NHS-funded organisations have not acted properly or fairly.
While it is not the role of the CQC to enforce the complaints regulations, it does assess whether registered providers have effective arrangements for receiving, handling, and responding to complaints as part of its regulatory role, and may take action where providers fail to meet the relevant regulatory requirements.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not centrally record whether providers are delivering National Health Service funded care, so cannot identify Regulation 20 duty of candour breaches by those independent providers.
In the last three years, the CQC has suspended the registration of one independent healthcare organisation for breaches of Regulation 20. The CQC has also requested action plans from two independent healthcare organisations for breaches of Regulation 20.
All providers of NHS funded care must comply with the NHS Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 in their complaints handling arrangements. This includes the requirement to advise a complainant of their right to refer their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) if they are dissatisfied with the response to their complaint. It is the role of the PHSO to independently investigate complaints that NHS and NHS-funded organisations have not acted properly or fairly.
While it is not the role of the CQC to enforce the complaints regulations, it does assess whether registered providers have effective arrangements for receiving, handling, and responding to complaints as part of its regulatory role, and may take action where providers fail to meet the relevant regulatory requirements.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Steve Barclay
(Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)