To ask the Minister of Health to detail any engagement he has had with healthcare professionals and patient representatives on the feasibility of a cross-trust waiting list model, including any feedback received.

Addressing waiting times continues to be a key priority for me, and the Elective Care Framework (ECF), published May 2024, sets out my Department’s plan to tackling those waiting times.

A key objective of the ECF is for the development of regional waiting lists. At present, there is not one single cross Trust waiting list model however, there is much work being taken forward in this area by the various clinical networks that have been established to support regional working, with examples across specialities such as breast, urology and general surgery.

For example, in September 2024 I announced the development of a regional breast assessment waiting list. This announcement was based on proposals that had been co-produced with key stakeholders including service user representatives, health care professionals and the charity sector. There was broad consensus among these groups that a regional waiting list was the correct approach to address inequities of access to Breast Cancer Services.

I recognise that there are a number of benefits in having single waiting lists, which include the ability to maximise patient equity for the care they need, irrespective of where they live. Work will continue in this area to ensure patients are assessed as quickly as possible, on a regional basis.

Opportunities to develop single waiting lists will be considered through engagement with all relevant stakeholders, where clinically appropriate and where resources are available.