Written question asked by Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 16 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 April 2026. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Friday, 24 April 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Atrial Fibrillation: Waiting Lists

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help reduce waiting times for atrial fibrillation ablation procedures in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.

Answer: Catheter ablation for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation for adults is a prescribed specialised service commissioned in accordance with a published national clinical commissioning policy. Consequently, NHS England’s regional specialised commissioning teams and integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB, are responsible for monitoring activity, reviewing equity of access for their populations, and addressing unwarranted variation through local oversight arrangements and clinical networks.

Secondary information