Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has undertaken an analysis of the mobile connectivity and 5G network infrastructure requirements of the NHS Productivity Plan.

The Government is committed to delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity to care settings across the National Health Service as part of its 10-Year Health Plan.

In line with the NHS Productivity Plan, NHS England’s Frontline Productivity Programme has assessed mobile coverage across England and is working with providers to address variations in 5G services. This includes a national trial to identify innovative solutions that maximise connectivity resilience across care settings, and the trial will include an assessment of potential productivity benefits for frontline NHS services.

Depending on findings, the national trial is expected to conclude in early 2027 with the programme providing the NHS with advice and guidance on deployment of said innovative solutions, thereafter.