Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Tom Hayes (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 January 2026. It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Thursday, 15 January 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Children's Play: Health Services

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will include health play professionals in the modelling for multi-disciplinary paediatric teams for the new neighbourhood health service.

Answer

We will deliver a Neighbourhood Health Service that serves everybody, everywhere across the country, including children and young people.

An important feature of our new Neighbourhood Health Service will be the rollout of Neighbourhood Health Centres in every community, including multidisciplinary neighbourhood teams who will work together around the needs of children and families.

The make-up of neighbourhood multi-disciplinary teams for children and young people is locally determined by integrated care boards. Local commissioners determine the role for each practitioner within neighbourhood multidisciplinary teams based upon the clinical interventions being undertaken.

Play specialists could be involved as part of a neighbourhood multi-disciplinary teams for children and young people but this is likely only appropriate for multi-disciplinary teams who provide face to face patient care. For example, when a general practitioner and paediatrician hold a joint clinic in the practice or local setting.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
103602
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Children's play Health services Paediatrics Community health services
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk