Oral Answers to Questions

John Lamont Excerpts

Tuesday 9th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[David Chadwick (Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe) (LD)]

1. What steps he is taking to help improve cross-border healthcare between UK nations.

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

9. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on improving cross-border healthcare.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Preet Kaur Gill)]

The Government are committed to ensuring patients can access timely, high-quality care wherever they live in the United Kingdom, while recognising ongoing challenges. We are working with the NHS and devolved Governments to improve digital interoperability, streamline cross-border billing and support more joined-up care.

[Preet Kaur Gill]

I would welcome a meeting with the hon. Member. As he knows, decisions about waiting list management in Wales are matters for the Welsh Government, but I agree that patients in border communities should be able to access care as quickly and conveniently as possible.

[John Lamont]

For my constituents in the Scottish Borders, accessing NHS treatment can sometimes be more complicated than it should be. Some residents in the Scottish Borders are registered with GP practices in Northumberland, but their medical records are not always shared properly between NHS services in England and Scotland. The SNP Government refuse to allow reciprocal care, so will the Minister urgently work with the Scottish Government to ensure my constituents can be properly treated as close to home as possible?