Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government why patients in England who suffer from gastroparesis cannot receive gastric pacemaker surgery on the NHS when such surgery is funded for patients with gastroparesis in other regions of the United Kingdom.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In 2016, NHS England conducted a detailed evidence review and concluded that there was insufficient robust evidence to justify the routine commissioning of gastroelectrical stimulation, also referred to as a gastric pacemaker, for the treatment of gastroparesis. A copy of the policy statement which NHS England published is attached. The reason for this decision was that there was insufficient clinical evidence that the procedure is both clinically effective and cost-effective.

In April 2021, NHS England reviewed the position relating to the surgical insertion of gastric electrical stimulators for the treatment of refractory gastroparesis. The Clinical Panel noted that whilst the evidence base presented was newer, it was still not a strong enough clinical evidence base to prompt a review of the existing policy position.

Clinicians may trigger a review of NHS England’s commissioning policies if new evidence is published. NHS England remains committed to funding clinically effective treatments where they are supported by strong evidence and are affordable for the National Health Service.