Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report by the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association entitled Unlocking our communities diagnostic potential: the case for supporting the adoption of community diagnostics for an NHS fit for the future, published on 1 April 2025, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of appointing a national diagnostics director.

The Department regularly reflects on and reviews the most appropriate structure for senior civil servant roles, to ensure it aligns with Governments priorities, including the delivery of the three big shifts, such as moving from hospital to community services.

There currently exists a Director for Electives and Cancer in the Department, whose responsibility includes diagnostics, as well as a Director of Diagnostics and Transport in NHS England, and their respective teams work closely together. Ensuring the National Health Service can deliver the right amount of diagnostic care to deliver on the 18-week Referral to Treatment constitutional standard by March is a priority across both the Department and NHS England.

We have committed to develop a 10-Year Health Plan to deliver an NHS fit for the future. The plan will deliver three big shifts mentioned, including moving from hospital to community services. We will therefore see more tests and scans in the community, in high street settings, reducing the need for people to take multiple trips to hospitals to get diagnosed.