Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

NHS England has no plans to mandate the framework for National Health Services. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services, based on the needs of their local population. We expect local commissioning to be informed by the best available evidence, including guidance issued by NHS England.

NHS England supports ICBs to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. On 9 April 2025, NHS England published a Wheelchair Quality Framework which sets out quality standards relevant to all suppliers regardless of Care Quality Commission registration status, as well as statutory requirements for ICBs. The framework is available at the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services, based on the needs of their local population, and NHS England supports ICBs to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. Any equipment provided will be agreed following a clinical assessment and based on the needs identified.

NHS England is taking steps to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of National Health Service wheelchairs, including any specialist electric wheelchair provision, and to support ICBs to reduce delays in people receiving timely intervention and wheelchair equipment. These include: establishing a national wheelchair data set which looks at waiting times across the pathway to enable targeted action if improvement is required; publishing a wheelchair quality framework which sets out quality standards relevant to all suppliers; and the introduction of personal wheelchair budgets to give people greater choice in the selection of manual and electric wheelchairs.

Oversight of wheelchair services within the National Health Service and social care is provided by national bodies, which monitor different aspects of the market, and by local authorities.

NHS England supports the integrated care boards (ICBs) to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. This includes taking steps support ICBs and wheelchair providers to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of NHS wheelchairs. NHS England published a Wheelchair Quality Framework on 9 April 2025, which sets out the quality standards relevant to all suppliers regardless of Care Quality Commission registration status, and statutory requirements for ICBs. The framework is available on the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.

The Government has put in place a range of initiatives to help NHS bodies make informed choices about the products and the route through which they are bought. These include the NHS Supply Chain, a national body which is responsible for procuring and delivering the majority of equipment into the NHS. The NHS Supply Chain was set up to leverage the collective buying power of the NHS, to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured quality products at the best value.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning wheelchair services, based on the need of their local population, and for having sufficient expertise to commission high quality services. ICBs will assess the market when securing local provision. This includes monitoring service provision and effectively managing contracts with their commissioned providers.

Local authorities are responsible for providing equipment that supports daily living and independence. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market and to commission a range of high-quality, sustainable, and person-centred care and support services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes encouraging a wide range of service provision to ensure that people have a choice of appropriate services and equipment that maximise independence and put the wellbeing of the people who draw on care at the centre of decisions.

Oversight of wheelchair services within the National Health Service and social care is provided by national bodies, which monitor different aspects of the market, and by local authorities.

NHS England supports the integrated care boards (ICBs) to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. This includes taking steps support ICBs and wheelchair providers to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of NHS wheelchairs. NHS England published a Wheelchair Quality Framework on 9 April 2025, which sets out the quality standards relevant to all suppliers regardless of Care Quality Commission registration status, and statutory requirements for ICBs. The framework is available on the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.

The Government has put in place a range of initiatives to help NHS bodies make informed choices about the products and the route through which they are bought. These include the NHS Supply Chain, a national body which is responsible for procuring and delivering the majority of equipment into the NHS. The NHS Supply Chain was set up to leverage the collective buying power of the NHS, to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured quality products at the best value.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning wheelchair services, based on the need of their local population, and for having sufficient expertise to commission high quality services. ICBs will assess the market when securing local provision. This includes monitoring service provision and effectively managing contracts with their commissioned providers.

Local authorities are responsible for providing equipment that supports daily living and independence. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market and to commission a range of high-quality, sustainable, and person-centred care and support services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes encouraging a wide range of service provision to ensure that people have a choice of appropriate services and equipment that maximise independence and put the wellbeing of the people who draw on care at the centre of decisions.

NHS England is the national commissioner for all solid organ transplant services, excluding renal transplant services, which were delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) from April 2025 as part of a wider programme of work to delegate to ICBs. Further information on this delegation is available on the NHS.UK website, in an online only format. As part of the ongoing work to integrate NHS England’s functions into the Department, future plans are being considered for specialised services, such as transplantation, for which NHS England is currently accountable. This work will take account of Organ Utilisation Group recommendation 12, which highlights the ongoing need for robust national level oversight of transplant services. Further information on the Organ Utilisation Group is available on the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.

There are no plans for Ministers or officials in the Department to meet with the Light House Christian Care Ministry. NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) understands the pressures felt across the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector and is in dialogue with The Light House (Christian Care Ministry) Trust Ltd. The ICB holds a £15,000 grant with the trust for counselling services and will consider the trust as part of its activities to assess its portfolio of grants.

The ICB has a duty to regularly review the services it commissions, ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely, waste is minimised, and resources are used in the best way to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. In line with this approach, the ICB is currently reviewing counselling services in its area to ensure they deliver best value and meet the needs of its population.

There are no plans for Ministers or officials in the Department to meet with the Light House Christian Care Ministry. NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) understands the pressures felt across the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector and is in dialogue with The Light House (Christian Care Ministry) Trust Ltd. The ICB holds a £15,000 grant with the trust for counselling services and will consider the trust as part of its activities to assess its portfolio of grants.

The ICB has a duty to regularly review the services it commissions, ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely, waste is minimised, and resources are used in the best way to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. In line with this approach, the ICB is currently reviewing counselling services in its area to ensure they deliver best value and meet the needs of its population.

In taking forward the independent review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, Professor Leng engaged with organisations including the Physician Associate Schools Council, and specific higher education institutions.

We will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the Review’s 18 recommendations.

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required.

Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia can play a vital role in the delivery of the shifts set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England. Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

In taking forward the independent review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, Professor Leng sought evidence from a range of voices including patients, staff groups, employers within the National Health Service, professional bodies, and academics. This included United Medical Associate Professionals.

We will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required. Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia will continue to play an important role in the NHS.

Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required. Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia will continue to play an important role in the NHS.

Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

On 16 July 2025, Professor Gillian Leng published her review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, now to be renamed physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Professor Leng set out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed clarity, certainty, and confidence to staff and patients. The Government is accepting these recommendations in full. Some actions will be implemented immediately, whilst others will require wider input, with benefits being fully realised over time.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

On 16 July 2025, Professor Gillian Leng published her review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, now to be renamed physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Professor Leng set out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed clarity, certainty, and confidence to staff and patients. The Government is accepting these recommendations in full. Some actions will be implemented immediately, whilst others will require wider input, with benefits being fully realised over time.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

On 16 July 2025, Professor Gillian Leng published her review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, now to be renamed physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Professor Leng set out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed clarity, certainty, and confidence to staff and patients. The Government is accepting these recommendations in full. Some actions will be implemented immediately, whilst others will require wider input, with benefits being fully realised over time.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations.

The Leng Review was clear that for patient safety reasons, physician assistants should not see undifferentiated patients except within clearly defined national clinical protocols. NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards, and primary care networks, as well as to the staff most affected by the recommendations, to set out the immediate implications of the recommendations. In its letter to employers, NHS England set out that current physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia should remain in post, with their deployment aligned to the recommendations of the review.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other system partners, including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations, which will consider all relevant factors. Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care, and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

The Department does not hold data on evictions from care homes as a result of raising concerns about standards of care.

Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority advises that discrimination or victimisation against complainants, including through an eviction, is likely to breach consumer law. Where providers fail to treat residents and their representatives fairly and infringe consumer law, enforcers, residents, and other compliance partners may take action against them.

In addition, by law, all health and social care services must have a procedure for dealing efficiently with complaints, and anyone who has seen or experienced poor-quality care has the right to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care. If they are not satisfied with the way a provider or local authority has dealt with a complaint, they may escalate it to the local government and Social Care Ombudsman who can investigate individual concerns.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) also encourages the public to share their experience through an online feedback mechanism, called give feedback on care, which allows individuals to raise concerns about the services they receive from providers. While the CQC does not have power to intervene in decisions providers’ make to issue a ‘notice to quit’ they do review how providers handle complaints as part of their assessments. The CQC takes this matter seriously, and continues to look at ways to improve both their analysis of provider data and the incorporation of individual feedback into their assessments.

The Department does not hold data on evictions from care homes as a result of raising concerns about standards of care.

Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority advises that discrimination or victimisation against complainants, including through an eviction, is likely to breach consumer law. Where providers fail to treat residents and their representatives fairly and infringe consumer law, enforcers, residents, and other compliance partners may take action against them.

In addition, by law, all health and social care services must have a procedure for dealing efficiently with complaints, and anyone who has seen or experienced poor-quality care has the right to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care. If they are not satisfied with the way a provider or local authority has dealt with a complaint, they may escalate it to the local government and Social Care Ombudsman who can investigate individual concerns.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) also encourages the public to share their experience through an online feedback mechanism, called give feedback on care, which allows individuals to raise concerns about the services they receive from providers. While the CQC does not have power to intervene in decisions providers’ make to issue a ‘notice to quit’ they do review how providers handle complaints as part of their assessments. The CQC takes this matter seriously, and continues to look at ways to improve both their analysis of provider data and the incorporation of individual feedback into their assessments.

The Department does not hold data on evictions from care homes as a result of raising concerns about standards of care.

Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority advises that discrimination or victimisation against complainants, including through an eviction, is likely to breach consumer law. Where providers fail to treat residents and their representatives fairly and infringe consumer law, enforcers, residents, and other compliance partners may take action against them.

In addition, by law, all health and social care services must have a procedure for dealing efficiently with complaints, and anyone who has seen or experienced poor-quality care has the right to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care. If they are not satisfied with the way a provider or local authority has dealt with a complaint, they may escalate it to the local government and Social Care Ombudsman who can investigate individual concerns.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) also encourages the public to share their experience through an online feedback mechanism, called give feedback on care, which allows individuals to raise concerns about the services they receive from providers. While the CQC does not have power to intervene in decisions providers’ make to issue a ‘notice to quit’ they do review how providers handle complaints as part of their assessments. The CQC takes this matter seriously, and continues to look at ways to improve both their analysis of provider data and the incorporation of individual feedback into their assessments.

The Department does not hold data on evictions from care homes as a result of raising concerns about standards of care.

Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority advises that discrimination or victimisation against complainants, including through an eviction, is likely to breach consumer law. Where providers fail to treat residents and their representatives fairly and infringe consumer law, enforcers, residents, and other compliance partners may take action against them.

In addition, by law, all health and social care services must have a procedure for dealing efficiently with complaints, and anyone who has seen or experienced poor-quality care has the right to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care. If they are not satisfied with the way a provider or local authority has dealt with a complaint, they may escalate it to the local government and Social Care Ombudsman who can investigate individual concerns.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) also encourages the public to share their experience through an online feedback mechanism, called give feedback on care, which allows individuals to raise concerns about the services they receive from providers. While the CQC does not have power to intervene in decisions providers’ make to issue a ‘notice to quit’ they do review how providers handle complaints as part of their assessments. The CQC takes this matter seriously, and continues to look at ways to improve both their analysis of provider data and the incorporation of individual feedback into their assessments.