Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of variations between GP surgeries in the provision of basic clinical procedures, including suture removal.

Local enhanced services, such as suture removal, are negotiated and agreed locally, and are commissioned by integrated care boards (ICBs) to fit the needs of the local population. General practices can choose whether or not they would like to participate in directly providing these services. These services can vary in scope and funding across the country.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning health care services within their regions. This includes ensuring service providers are able to meet the reasonable needs of their patient population.