Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effects on patient care and access to treatment of reductions in and restrictions of services being implemented by NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group.

We are advised by NHS England that the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has withdrawn proposals requiring patients to undergo weight loss or stop smoking ahead of routine surgery, and that other measures proposed by the CCG will be subject to a full public consultation, where appropriate, in the New Year.

We are further advised that NHS England is currently scrutinising the CCG's proposals, seeking assurance that they are in the best interests of patients, are based on sound evidence and are subject to a well-planned process.