Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled Elective recovery taskforce: implementation plan, published on 4 August 2023, what steps she is taking to ensure equity of access for those unable to use digital platforms.

In September 2023, NHS England published a framework for action on digital inclusion to help the system design and implement inclusive digital approaches and technologies, including actions to build digital skills and capability among patients and National Health Service staff. This covers all NHS digital platforms. Patients unable to use digital channels will continue to be able to access services via telephone and through face-to-face services.