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Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
14 October 2025
Lead MP
Cat Smith
Lancaster and Wyre
Lab
Responding Minister
Ashley Dalton
Tags
NHSEconomy
Word Count: 4583
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Cat Smith raised concerns about postural tachycardia syndrome in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should improve PoTS diagnoses as a priority, provide national clinical guidelines for consistent care, and ensure accessible treatment across the UK, regardless of where patients live.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The national health service often overlooks, misunderstands, and under-resources postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), leading to long diagnostic periods and inadequate support. The average diagnosis time is seven years with many initially misdiagnosed with mental health conditions.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Raises concerns about long waiting lists for PoTS treatment in London and calls for urgent action from the Minister.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Highlights the lack of local NHS provision for PoTS treatment, advocating for national clinical guidelines and consistent care pathways to ensure support for patients regardless of their location.
Ashley Dalton
Con
Liverpool, West Derby
Acknowledged the importance of systematic data and research for effective treatments. Mentioned the NIHR funding a study on long covid and autonomic nervous system disorders, including PoTS.
Cameron Thomas
Con
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Supports the need for faster PoTS diagnoses, citing PoTS UK reports on average seven-year diagnostic periods and initial mental health misdiagnoses. Discussed the economic impact of PoTS, including education and workplace challenges, and asked for pressure on the Treasury regarding economic obligations.
West Dunbartonshire
Urges greater UK-wide support for PoTS sufferers due to unacceptably lengthy waiting times for diagnosis causing years of suffering in Scotland and beyond.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Points out the lack of a single PoTS specialist in Northern Ireland and calls for nationwide addressing of the issue with urgency and adequate funding.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Raises concerns about long diagnostic periods and inadequate follow-up referrals, advocating for more research and awareness among frontline medical professionals.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends Cat Smith's dedication to raising awareness about PoTS and agrees that enhanced research into diagnostic tools is essential.
Kim Leadbeater
Lab
Spen Valley
Emphasises that PoTS is not a rare condition and stresses the need for clear NHS pathways, joined-up care, and specialist support in every region.
Aylesbury
Highlights the impact of PoTS on young adults, including a constituent who dropped out of university due to lack of diagnosis and support.
Lillian Jones
Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Shares concerns about the seven-year average diagnosis time for PoTS in Scotland and supports the introduction of a dedicated care pathway.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Asked the Minister to meet PoTS specialists to understand their barriers in practising effective medicine.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Stresses the impact of PoTS on daily life and sport participation, urging emphasis on diagnosis and treatment to enable patients to maintain their activities.
Sojan Joseph
Lab
Ashford
Points out that 50% of PoTS cases are misdiagnosed as mental health conditions, suggesting a need for more support for people with PoTS.
Tessa Munt
LD
Wells and Mendip Hills
Illustrates the challenges faced by patients seeking diagnosis and treatment, highlighting cases of dismissive approaches from medical professionals.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Agrees with Cat Smith that we need to increase support and services for PoTS sufferers, including faster diagnoses and proper funding for treatment.
Government Response
Ashley Dalton
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Government Response
Postural tachycardia syndrome affects around 120,000 people in the UK. The Government is working on improving diagnosis through NICE guidance and recognises the need to address systemic barriers to care and reduce postcode lottery issues for PoTS patients. Acknowledged the need for systematic data and research, mentioned NIHR funding a study with over £3 million to examine connections between long covid and PoTS. Announced willingness to meet specialists to discuss progress. Addressed economic impacts by referencing the ‘Get Britain Working’ plan to support people with health conditions into work. Emphasised standardising and coordinating care across settings and improving patient outcomes through the Government’s 10-year plan for health.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.