Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with NHS England on Specialised Services Circular 1407 and its potential effect on the use of robotic assisted surgery; and if he will make a statement.

There have been no discussions between my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State and NHS England regarding Circular 1407.

NHS England is currently developing a commissioning policy for Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS). The national commissioning policy on RAS will ensure that patients have access to procedures and technology that will benefit them, based on a robust evidence review. Until the policy is available NHS England have not requested the cessation or reduction of any existing services but rather a pause on the introduction of any new services or on expansion of current services.