FOI 2026/1671

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the ENT referral pathway and policies managed by Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board.

Specifically, I would like to request the following information:

1. Referral to Appointment Timing Policy
   • Please provide details of any policies, guidelines, or contractual requirements relating to the timing of first outpatient appointments for ENT services delivered by Beacon Medical Services.
   • In particular, is there any policy, instruction, or agreement that results in appointments being delayed until 12 weeks have elapsed from the date of referral, rather than being offered at the earliest available opportunity?
   • If such a policy or practice exists, please provide the relevant documentation, including any contractual clauses, pathway guidance, or operational policies.
2. Rationale for Delayed Appointment Scheduling
   • Please provide the clinical, operational, or contractual rationale for any requirement or practice of delaying appointments until 12 weeks post-referral.
   • Indicate whether this approach aligns with national NHS standards, including Referral to Treatment (RTT) principles.

1. NHS GM does not hold any policies or documents requested relating to first appointment times. NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) commissions elective services in line with national NHS standards, including the Referral to Treatment (RTT) right set out in the NHS Constitution. To support parity and consistency across providers, a minimum routine waiting period was applied for Independent Sector Providers, operating wholly within the 18‑week RTT standard and allowing providers to manage and complete elective pathways appropriately. Allowances for clinically urgent care were built in to ensure no patient requiring urgent assessment or treatment was affected.

To assist you please find below links to the national and local constitution.

NHS Constitution for England – GOV.UK

NHS GM Constitution

2. NHS GM does not operate a formal policy mandating appointment timing. Instead, the ICB agrees indicative elective activity plans with providers in line with NHS England planning guidance. This approach aligns with national NHS standards, including RTT principles.

All providers are required to operate within these agreed plans. Where activity exceeds planned levels or there is a risk to RTT delivery, established escalation and review processes are in place to ensure patients’ needs are met and constitutional standards are maintained.