Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Royal Mail on ensuring that NHS correspondence is given a guaranteed next day delivery status.

The NHS has a Digital First strategy and most urgent appointments are already communicated by other means.

The Government does not have a role in the operational decisions of Royal Mail as it is an independent business. However, in November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe and discussed the importance of a reliable universal postal service for delivering NHS correspondence. I understand Royal Mail is working with NHS bodies to ensure they have a choice of speed and price, including protecting the option of a First-Class service six days a week for more urgent NHS letters.