Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support GPs who are the subject of a complaint arising from a specialist denying a person a face-to-face appointment.

As independent businesses who hold contracts with the National Health Service, general practices (GPs) are responsible for managing patient complaints relating to services delivered by their GP and the wider health system. In cases where specialist advice has been used, such as Advice and Guidance, and the outcome of the advice was that care management in GPs is clinically appropriate, the GP may still subsequently refer their patient again at any point if they have concerns. NHS England has published guidance for both primary care referrers and specialists to support effective use of Advice and Guidance.

For patients who have been under a specialist’s care, clinical governance procedures for the relevant provider will apply.