Out-patients
(asked on 28th August 2020) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure that people who require outpatient services have access to them as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
As outlined in the latest guidance issued to local National Health Service providers and commissioners on the next phase of the NHS response to COVID-19, trusts and systems are now expected to deliver 100% of their last year’s activity for first outpatient attendances and follow-ups (face to face or virtually) from September, through the balance of the year. This is to be done by re-establishing (and where necessary, redesigning) services to deliver through their own local NHS (non-independent sector) capacity.
To reduce infection risk and to support social distancing, clinicians have been advised to consider avoiding asking patients to attend physical outpatient appointments where a clinically appropriate and accessible alternative exists. The guidance is available via the following link: