Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the NHS Federated Data Platform uptake and benefits, updated on 30 October, how many of the 563,239 people removed from the waiting list were removed for the reason of (1) receiving treatment, (2) improved conditions, (3) opting for alternative care, (4) returning to general practice for primary care, (5) returning to optometry for primary care, (6) returning to pharmacy for primary care, (7) returning to primary care not otherwise specified, and (8) other reasons not otherwise specified.

The Federated Data Platform’s referral to treatment validation tool supports National Health Service staff to better manage the waiting lists of patients who have been referred for non-urgent elective care.

The Department does not hold the data required to detail the breakdown of reasons patients were removed from the waiting lists as this is patient-level data which is held by trusts themselves in their electronic patient records.

Waiting list validation is a core part of providers’ management of waiting lists which involves ensuring patients’ records are accurate and up to date, that patients still want their treatment, and that they have opportunities to update their clinical team about changes in their condition or relevant circumstances.

This ensures providers have an accurate understanding of the true size of their waiting list, whilst helping minimise missed or cancelled appointments and ensuring the most effective use of clinicians’ time.

Waiting list validation is a well-established component for the effective management of waiting lists, with detailed guidance available for trusts, including safeguards to ensure patients are not incorrectly removed from waiting lists. NHS guidance states there “must be agreement from a clinician before any patient is returned to the referrer”. Any patient removed should receive a letter that would also be sent to their general practitioner.