VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Musculoskeletal Disorders: Health Services

Asked by James NaishLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 6 May 2025UIN 48587

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for musculoskeletal services in Rushcliffe constituency; and if he will consider the use of chiropractors as regulated healthcare professionals to reduce those waiting times.

Answered by Karin Smyth

NHS England does not nationally commission chiropractic care as it is a complementary and alternative medicine. There are no plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of integrating chiropractic care into centrally commissioned National Health Service care.

Where there is demand, integrated care boards are able to make independent decisions on which health professionals they employ and may commission a limited amount of such treatment.

Cutting waiting lists forms a key part of the Government’s mission to reform the NHS.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim