Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps NHS England is taking to support people with (a) ME and (b) long Covid; what funding has been allocated to Surrey for treatment of such conditions; and what the waiting times are for (i) diagnosis and (ii) care in Surrey.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for determining the level of long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), services locally, and are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission meet the needs of their local populations.

I have been advised by NHS England that NHS Surrey Heartlands has taken the decision to no longer operate dedicated long COVID services following the publication of updated guidance by NHS England, in April 2024, on the provision of long COVID services.

As of 8 July 2024, patients presenting with symptoms that may be linked to long COVID will be referred to other available services depending on their symptoms, including chronic fatigue services, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, and mental health services such as psychotherapy.

Every effort will be made to ensure that the patients who are currently accessing these services complete their therapy and, if appropriate, are transferred to other services specific to their needs.

NHS Surrey Heartlands recognises that this decision may cause concern for people receiving care within current long COVID services, however, patients will continue to receive support and advice. We are working with the current providers of long COVID services, First Community Health and Care and Surrey Downs Health and Care, to ensure that patients are transferred into alternative pathways safely.

NHS England has recently completed a long COVID stocktake, aiming to provide a national overview of the service delivery of commissioning and contracting, assessing access, activity, and outcomes. Executive NHS England board members were updated on the current provision of long COVID services, noting the challenges and significant variation. NHS England will continue to support the ICBs to enhance service quality and ensure equitable access to care and consistency across the system.