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Heart Diseases: Surgery

Asked by Helen MorganLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 19 June 2026UIN 9104

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with integrated care board leaders regarding the delivery of left atrial appendage occlusion in their regions.

Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has had no discussions with integrated care board (ICB) leaders regarding the delivery of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) since he was appointed on 14 May 2026.

NHS England’s regional specialised commissioners and ICBs are responsible for the monitoring of activity, reviewing of equity of access for their populations, and addressing variation through local oversight and clinical networks.

LAAO is a prescribed specialised service and is commissioned in accordance with NHS England’s published national clinical commissioning policy, with further information available at the following two links:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg349

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng196

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