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Written question asked by Victoria Collins (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 January 2026. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Monday, 5 January 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Paediatrics: Waiting Lists

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of enabling children waiting over 26 weeks for a paediatric appointment to be seen by alternative NHS-commissioned providers.

Answer

Patients in England have a right to request their local integrated care board (ICB) find an alternative provider when they have been waiting, or expect to wait, over 18 weeks to begin treatment for consultant-led care.

ICBs are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure the patient is offered an appointment with a clinically appropriate alternative provider with whom an ICB or NHS England has an NHS Standard Contract for the relevant service, who can start their treatment more quickly. Further information is available on the NHS Choice Framework at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework/

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
101116
Session
2024-26
Subjects
NHS Standards Paediatrics Waiting lists
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk