Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of provisions in the Health and Care Bill that enable reorganisation of the NHS system on the ability of that organisation to manage demand for services; and what steps he is taking to ensure services are maintained during a period of reorganisation in future.

The Health and Care Bill will ensure that organisations across the health and care system can work together effectively, to deliver high-quality, sustainable care. The Department works closely with NHS England and partners such as the Local Government Association, to ensure implementation of the Bill will remove barriers and help local leaders to address the backlog in elective care.