PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(3 June 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of NHS care pathways for patients diagnosed with (a) Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and (b) other autonomic nervous system disorders.

Asked by:
Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat)

No formal assessment has been made of the adequacy of the availability of National Health Service care pathways for patients diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other autonomic nervous system disorders.

However, integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services, including end‑to‑end care pathways, to meet the needs of their local populations. This includes ensuring that pathways cover assessment, diagnosis, and management, as well as supporting safe and effective transitions between paediatric and adult services.

ICBs are expected to understand local need, including among young people, and to address gaps in provision where these arise, including where referral criteria may unintentionally exclude patients.

Care for these conditions is typically delivered through existing specialties, such as cardiology, neurology, or general medicine, with escalation to specialised services for patients with more complex or rare presentations.

Answered by:
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