Written questions

General Practitioners

Commons · Question 19278 · Tabled 15 Jul 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 1 Sep 2026

Question

Asked by Edward Morello

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of GP referrals to secondary care that, following clinical triage, did not proceed to a booked outpatient appointment and were instead returned or redir

Answer

Answered by Karin Smyth, 1 Sep 2026

Pre-referral services such as Advice and Guidance (A&G) are used by general practitioners (GPs) and other clinicians to request quick specialist advice to help decide on the right next steps for patient care, including whether a referral is needed. A&...