Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients are on community caseloads for lower limb arterial and/or venous disease treatment; what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on the difficulties people with lower limb arterial and/or venous disease are experiencing in accessing NHS services; what steps he will take through the upcoming NHS Bill to alleviate those barriers; and if he will make a statement.

The number of patients on community caseloads for lower limb arterial and/or venous disease treatment is not held centrally. NHS England and NHS Improvement commissioned National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP) has a patient and public voice (PPV) stakeholder forum. Lower limb arterial and/or venous disease services are developed in consultation with patients and carers via the PPV forum.

The Health and Care Bill will introduce integrated care systems, which will strengthen partnerships between the National Health Service, local authorities and with local partners, including groups representing the public and patient perspective, the voluntary sector and wider public service provision. This will enable more joined up planning and provision, enhancing lower limb arterial and/or venous disease services patients receive.

The NWCSP is developing implementation sites across England to implement its lower limb wound recommendations that will allow people with lower limb venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers to receive equitable care in dedicated chronic lower limb services staffed by clinicians with the appropriate knowledge and skills and with established referral routes to escalate care.