Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether NHS England intend to increase the capacity of the National Spinal Cord Injury Service by 54 beds, as recommended in their recent Service Review.

NHS England continues to work with stakeholders to deliver the key components of the ongoing Spinal Cord Injury Service Review.

The two principal actions that need to be taken forward as a result of the review are identifying the best way of meeting the need for additional inpatient capacity, recommended as 54 beds; and the establishment of a national spinal cord injury network.

Over the coming months there will be an evaluation of capital bids required for the building of a new unit. Network proposals are also being finalised. The increase in capacity of the Spinal Cord Injury Service cannot be confirmed until the evaluation and review are completed.