Patient Choice Schemes
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2026 to WPQ 122758, whether his Department will stipulate who should be triaging in the Elective Single Point of Access Model.
Answered by Karin Smyth
Amanda Doyle, the National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, wrote to general practices and primary care networks regarding the introduction of elective Single Point of Access (SPoA) in April 2026. The letter clarified that under this model, requests for specialist advice and referrals are to be clinically reviewed by a named consultant.
Where a local SPoA model is already in place or is established by local agreement between primary and secondary care, provided there is clear accountability and oversight from a named consultant, this may continue.
The letter also sets out the expectations for consultants and general practitioners, as well as operational standards under a SPoA model. A general practitioner’s clinical decision to refer and existing professional and legal accountabilities remain unchanged.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →