Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue guidance to Integrated Care Boards on patient, carer, and public involvement in the commissioning of specialised services.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are already subject to statutory duties to involve patients and the public in the planning, development, and consideration of proposals for changes to health services. The Government is committed to ensuring that patients, carers, and the public continue to play a central role in shaping specialised services. The Health Bill proposes to further strengthen local arrangements by making ICBs directly responsible for gathering and acting on patient and public feedback.