Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled New government recommendations for England NHS hospital trusts and private hospital providers, published on 14 April 2022 and withdrawn on 27 May 2022, whether he is taking steps to help ensure that cancer patients in England can be accompanied by a relative, friend or carer to their appointments.

The latest National Health Service guidance on visiting in healthcare inpatients settings was updated in June 2022. This states that the same principles should also be applied in outpatient and diagnostic service settings and emergency departments. Where a patient may wish or need to be accompanied, no patient should attend alone unless it is their personal choice.