The Welsh Affairs Committee is concerned by the lack of urgency in addressing long-standing issues affecting cross-border healthcare patients, who are at risk of “falling through the gaps” between two different healthcare systems.

Across three evidence sessions which included hearing from all seven Welsh local health boards and the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (NWJCC), MPs were alarmed at the persistence of issues, such as difficulties with transferring patient data across the border, which are still ongoing. MPs are also concerned about the lack of action to address these issues, despite the predecessor committee highlighting these issues in 2015.

The Welsh Affairs Committee is collaborating with the Senedd Health and Social Care Committee to jointly examine cross-border healthcare on both sides of the Wales-England border.

The House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee’s statement is as follows: “Our committee is deeply concerned by the lack of urgency in addressing long-standing issues affecting cross-border healthcare patients. Despite our predecessor committee raising alarm bells in 2015, patients are still experiencing the same frustrations today.

“We’ve heard evidence of difficulties with securing specialist treatment, transferring patient data across the border and arranging transport for appointments. It is unacceptable these issues are still on-going today. Patients should not have to face unnecessary barriers to receive the treatment they deserve.

“Patients with a clear treatment pathway who receive the care they need, generally report a positive experience. However, with complex referral systems, we fear some patients are at risk of falling through the gaps between two healthcare systems. Responsibility and accountability can become unclear, leaving patients unsure who to turn to for support. We want to ensure that patients’ experiences are prioritised and protected when using cross-border healthcare.

“Although we are grateful for the hard work local health boards and their staff do day in and day out, we are worried the patient voice is being lost amongst the statistics. The focus must remain on people, not just the numbers. With incoming changes to systems such as the abolition of NHS England, it places added pressure and importance to get this right.

“We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to our inquiry so far, and we will be continuing to examine what more can be done to improve outcomes for cross-border healthcare patients. We are looking forward to collaborating with our Senedd colleagues in the Health and Social Committee on this inquiry as we work jointly to support cross-border patients on both sides of the border.”

Chair of the Senedd's Health and Social Care Committee, Jayne Bryant MS said: “Healthcare should not be made more difficult by the existence of two different systems. For those travelling between Wales and England for healthcare, challenges have persisted for years and require action from both the Welsh and UK Governments.

“As a new committee in a new Senedd, we are eager to get to work. We want to help drive improvements for patients and ensure that no one falls through the gaps,” she added.