Commons Sense

House of Commons · Urgent Question

NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Service 2025-05-19

19 May 2025 · 14 other contributors

Opened by Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Caroline Johnson raised concerns about nhs and care volunteer responders service 2025-05-19 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the cancellation of the NHS and care volunteer responders programme at the end of May 2025.
  • The programme has mobilised over 750,000 volunteers who have completed more than 2.7 million tasks since its establishment during the pandemic.
  • The Minister confirmed that NHS England will launch a new central recruitment portal later in the year to provide opportunities for existing volunteers to continue their support.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham

Will the Minister confirm the continuation of the NHS and care volunteer responders programme, which was established during the pandemic to support vulnerable people? The service has been successful in mobilising over 750,000 volunteers who have completed more than 2.7 million tasks. However, there is concern about the decision to cancel this service at the end of May, leaving patients without support and causing additional pressure on local authorities. What alternative measures are being put in place?

Other contributors (14)
  • Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham

    Question

    What are the real-world implications of cancelling this service? What alternative measures will be put in place to support those who were previously supported by volunteers?

    Minister reply

    The changes have been made to ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining volunteering opportunities. A centralised portal is being developed for future recruitment, ensuring continuity and flexibility.

  • Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington

    Question

    Will volunteers at NHS trusts be used only to support staff and services without replacing them?

    Minister reply

    Volunteers will continue to complement the existing workforce, supporting staff, services and patients. They play a crucial role in enhancing patient care.

  • Helen Morgan LD North Shropshire

    Question

    Will those currently receiving help from the volunteer scheme be left unsupported after May 31st? Has an impact assessment been conducted?

    Minister reply

    NHS England will continue to work with voluntary organisations to ensure continuity of support. An impact assessment has not been published yet.

  • Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab Calder Valley

    Question

    Will people still be able to volunteer for the NHS and support others despite concerns about the programme ending?

    Minister reply

    Volunteering remains an important part of future plans. People are encouraged to register their details through a central portal to ensure continuity of service.

  • Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport

    Question

    What is the impact on communities where volunteers play a crucial role in connecting with lonely and vulnerable individuals?

    Minister reply

    This decision pertains to specific arrangements, but local health systems will ensure that volunteers continue to be available. The aim is to use knowledge gained during the pandemic to support future volunteering efforts.

  • Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham

    Question

    Would it not have been better at least to maintain the current arrangements until a new alternative was in place? By the time we have provided extra support to medical professionals and so on during the interim, will it have saved any money at all?

    Minister reply

    I am afraid that I have to disagree with the hon. Gentleman—it is not muddled. The analysis undertaken by NHS England indicates that the current system is not providing good value for money, and we are making sure that we produce something better for the future.

  • Sarah Dyke LD Glastonbury and Somerton

    Question

    How will the Government ensure that patients do not lose access to vital support and suffer as a result of these changes?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Lady makes an important point: it is important to make sure that people do not suffer from changes and that the impact is minimised. As I said, the programme was not delivering effective value for money, and we think the future system will.

  • Tim Farron LD Westmorland and Lonsdale

    Question

    Will the Minister take this opportunity to direct integrated care boards and trusts in Cumbria to support those volunteer drivers, so that volunteers are valued and patients are not isolated?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman makes an excellent point on behalf of his community, as well as rural communities more widely, about the role of volunteer drivers. We need volunteer drivers across a range of areas—in fact, my husband is out volunteering as I speak, driving for another charity. We need more of these people.

  • Katrina Murray Lab Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch

    Question

    What steps is the Minister putting in place to ensure that local infrastructure can support volunteering and make things better for all those who contribute?

    Minister reply

    I thank my hon. Friend for that contribution and her service in that role. She is absolutely right to highlight not just the people who come forward, but the people who run that local infrastructure. As I said in my opening remarks, much of this work is done at a local level.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Who will replace these volunteers and the support they have given, which has made such a difference to so many at a time of vulnerability when they need it most?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Member is absolutely right. We should be clear that the NHS and the care system need people. He is right about many hospitals being a maze and the importance of that friendly face to greet someone when they go into hospital.

  • Emma Foody Lab/Co-op Cramlington and Killingworth

    Question

    Can the Minister reassure me that those who wish to continue to play their part and to carry on volunteering in other ways with the NHS can do so? Will she join me in taking the opportunity to encourage those who are interested in volunteering to check for opportunities with their local trusts?

    Minister reply

    We are learning so much about each other this afternoon, are we not? I am pleased to hear that that is how my hon. Friend started her journey, and I am so impressed that she is continuing to do that.

  • Karin Smyth

    Question

    How are local charities and volunteers, such as the Butterfly Volunteers, supported in continuing critical end-of-life care services through the national scheme transition to a local system?

    Minister reply

    The local link is also critical: we need to ensure that people can be directed from the national system to local systems, through NHS England and perhaps—if it is appropriate—through the House. It is in the interests of local Members of Parliament for us to ensure that what we have learnt from the national scheme is continued into the local scheme.

  • Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham

    Question

    How long will the gap in service last, and what will happen to the most vulnerable people who are using it?

Government Response

Karin Smyth

I thank Dr Caroline Johnson for raising this urgent question. The NHS has always benefited from the generous contribution made by volunteers, who play a vital role in supporting patients, staff and services. However, due to financial considerations, NHS England has decided to close the current volunteer responders programme but will launch a new central recruitment portal later this year, providing opportunities for the existing pool of volunteers to continue their support. The Minister acknowledges that local NHS providers will be helped in developing alternative volunteering interventions. She assures that roles of 50,000 additional volunteers recruited and supported by trusts directly remain unaffected.

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