Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Neurological Diagnosis and Treatment: Waiting Times

Tuesday 6 December 2022 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department prioritizes reducing waiting times for neurological diagnosis and treatment.
  • Steps outlined in the delivery plan aim to recover and transform outpatient services, including neurology.
  • A constituent waited nearly two years for a neurology appointment following a severe head injury.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
NHS
Context

None specified in the question.

Question

What recent steps his Department has taken to reduce waiting times for neurological diagnosis and treatment.

Answer from Maria Caulfield

Reducing waiting times for diagnostics and treatment is a priority for this Government. The delivery plan for tackling the elective backlog sets out steps to recover and transform out-patient services across all specialisms, including neurology.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific recent steps or details about reducing waiting times.

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Q2 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent suffered a severe head injury in March 2021 and had to wait nearly two years for their first neurology appointment. They have been unable to work, rejected for disability benefits, and are in severe pain.

Question

In March 2021, my constituent suffered a severe head injury. By the time they have their first neurology appointment in January 2023, they will have waited nearly two years for treatment. In the meantime, they have been unable to work, been rejected for disability benefits and are in severe pain. Does the Minister accept that this wait is unacceptable, and will she outline what support the Department is making available for those who are suffering while they wait for vital appointments?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I thank the hon. Lady. I know she raised her constituent's case in a Westminster Hall debate on 22 November and my understanding is that they now have an appointment for January, but there is absolutely a backlog from covid patients. We know that. That is why we are putting in over £8 billion in the next three years to deal with that backlog. That is in addition to the £2 billion we have already provided through the elective recovery fund. We have already virtually eliminated the two-year wait and we are now on track, by April, to eliminate waits of 18 months or more.

Answered
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