Written questions

Advice and Guidance Services: Out-patients

2026-06-24 · Department of Health and Social Care · 13317 · Official question

Shockat Adam

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of mandatory Advice and Guidance pathways on patients' access to hospital specialist care.

Answer

Advice and Guidance (A&G) is not, and has not been, mandated for use prior to a formal referral. Practices are expected to use A&G to support clinical decision making in relation to a planned care referral where clinically appropriate, alongside s...