Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the availability of hernia operations varies in different regions of England; and if so, how.

Hernia operations are available from National Health Service providers across England. Demand varies in different areas as not all regions are of the same size or population.

The following table shows the number of finished consultant episodes (FCE) for primary or secondary hernia operations in each region of England in 2020/21 and average waiting times.

Source: NHS Digital Hospital Episode Statistics

Notes:

1. A FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider.
2. Primary and secondary hernia operations refer to first surgical procedures and secondary follow up operations if needed.