Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what analysis his Department has conducted of the potential merits of patient support programmes in the NHS for (a) patient welfare, (b) patient safety, and (c) cost savings.
NHS England recognises patient support programmes, including patient groups, have an important role to play as advocates and in the process, provide peer to peer support for patients. Patient groups are actively involved in NHS England’s programme of work to support implementation of its commissioning framework. NHS England is committed to continuing a collaborative working relationship with patient groups and recognises the important role they will play in supporting patients.