Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2016 to Question 49779, whether he has ordered an investigation into whether, at any point since 1 April 2016, any other patient transport services were provided without the required registration with the Care Quality Commission; and if he will make a statement.

The commissioning of patient transport services is ultimately a matter for the local National Health Service, but the Department is taking urgent action to address any issues that this case raises.

First, in light of information brought to the attention of the Minister of State, following an Adjournment debate on 25 October 2016, the Department has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to investigate the regulation status of all contractors and sub-contractors of patient transport services commissioned by the High Weald Havens Clinical Commissioning Group from April 2016.

Second, the Department has also asked NHS England to ensure that clinical commissioning groups are assured of the CQC registration status of their local patient transport providers.