Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many ICBs have introduced self-referral routes for (a) fall services, (b) musculoskeletal services, (c) audiology for older people, (d) weight management services, (e) community podiatry and (f) wheelchair and community equipment as of 12 November 2023.

The Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care asked systems to expand self-referral in seven community-based services from September 2023. By that time, integrated care boards (ICBs) reported over 600 services offering self-referral routes which is a 31% increase from August 2023, with expansion taking place across all seven service areas.

We are continuing to support ICBs expand further via a range of activities including communities of practice to share experiences and learning across the country.