Turning up the volume in Parliament!
Big news: we finally have a date for our Parliament backbench debate!
Following on from the hugely impactful presentations by members of the PANS PANDAS UK Youth Board at the Roundtable event in April, a date has now been set for the second-ever Parliament backbench debate about PANS and PANDAS. Scheduled for the afternoon of 25th June, the debate will take place in the Chamber of the House of Commons.
The debate will offer a much-needed opportunity for Members of Parliament to discuss PANS and PANDAS, the current difficulties faced by families in accessing diagnosis, treatment and support, and the need for improved services and more research funding. The debate will also be a valuable opportunity for the Government to reflect upon and respond to the issues raised.
Date: 25th June 2026
Time: Afternoon (from 1pm onwards)
Venue: House of Commons Chamber, Westminster
What will MPs be talking about?
We have outlined the key priorities that we would like MPs to raise in the debate. We are asking them to:
- Call on the Government to end the postcode lottery for diagnosis and treatment through the standardisation of care. Publication of a UK clinical guideline for PANS and PANDAS is anticipated in Autumn 2026. It is imperative that there is a clear commitment from the NHS for this to be embedded within services to improve patient experiences and outcomes.
- Call for mandatory training. Improved professional awareness would lead to earlier identification, improved patient outcomes and reduced burden on families and the healthcare system.
- Question research priorities and call for improved funding to address the significant gaps in research identified in the NIHR-funded Evidence and Gap Map. The need for clarity about treatment for PANS and PANDAS is reflected in the James Lind Alliance top 10 priorities for childhood neurological disorders. Funding further research into the conditions is essential to reduce suffering and shape future clinical guidance.
- Signpost to Local Authority Guidance – publication is anticipated in late 2026. Local Authority guidance is critical to ensure schools and services meet their statutory duties for children with PANS and PANDAS. Without clear direction, families face unlawful decisions, inconsistent provision, and barriers to essential assessments and support, all of which lead to significant educational harm.
Have your say
It is so important that the debate is well-attended by MPs and that as many voices as possible call on the Government to support people with PANS and PANDAS.
You can make a real difference by contacting your MP and raising your concerns.
Some ways you can be heard:
- Tag your MP in our social media posts about the debate and ask them to attend and speak for you. You can find out who your MP is here.
- Share this briefing pack with your MP, which contains information about PANS and PANDAS and the difference an MP can make.
- Invite your MP to attend by using one of template letters, which contain links to the briefing pack.
- If you feel comfortable, you could consider asking them to meet with you before the debate so you can share your story.
What difference will this debate make?
Hearing from constituents about the challenges they face enables MPs to raise issues in a way which demonstrates the importance of the Government taking action. Hearing first-hand from families about what it is like to live with health conditions for which there is so little awareness and support allows MPs to illustrate the physical, social, emotional and financial toll families with PANS and PANDAS are living with currently.
Please, if you can, contact your MP and ask them to attend the debate and speak out for every single person with PANS and PANDAS in the UK.
With a clinical guideline under development and guidance for Local Authorities due later this year, this is a unique opportunity for the UK PANS and PANDAS community to be heard and for policymakers to understand why they should act to ensure these significant milestones make a tangible and lasting difference. Together, we can move things forward.
Your questions answered:
Can I attend the backbench debate?
Yes. The public gallery of the House of Commons is open to the general public to view debates. You can find out more information about watching a debate here.
Please note, we have been made aware that this is expected to be a very busy day in Parliament due to the Mass Lobby for Trans Equality, with significant numbers of attendees anticipated. This is likely to mean longer than usual queues to get through security and into Parliament. If you are planning to attend the PANS PANDAS debate, please do allow extra time for any queues.
Can my child or young person attend?
Children and young people are welcome to attend to watch the debate from the public gallery. It is worth noting that the gallery is not suitable for children under the age of four. The debate may last for up to three hours, and there are some restrictions to ensure a respectful and orderly environment. People watching are permitted to come and go during the debate.
Please note, we have been made aware that this is expected to be a very busy day in Parliament due to the Mass Lobby for Trans Equality, with significant numbers of attendees anticipated. This is likely to mean longer than usual queues to get through security and into Parliament. If you are planning to attend the PANS PANDAS debate, please do allow extra time for any queues.
How many people can attend and what are the rules?
The public gallery of the House of Commons Chamber has a maximum capacity of 160 people. Anyone entering Parliament will have to pass through security. You will not be allowed to take anything with you into the public gallery. There is a cloakroom where you can leave a small bag. You can find out more about visiting Parliament, including how to get there, accessibility, security information and facilities here.
Please note, we have been made aware that this is expected to be a very busy day in Parliament due to the Mass Lobby for Trans Equality, with significant numbers of attendees anticipated. This is likely to mean longer than usual queues to get through security and into Parliament. If you are planning to attend the PANS PANDAS debate, please do allow extra time for any queues.
Do I need a ticket to attend?
There is not a ticketing system for the debate. People wishing to watch the debate should enter through the main visitor entrance to the Palace of Westminster and go to the Central Lobby via Westminster Hall. In the Central Lobby there is an Admissions Office which you must visit to get your entry slip to the public gallery. You can find a map showing the main entrance here.
Please note, we have been made aware that this is expected to be a very busy day in Parliament due to the Mass Lobby for Trans Equality, with significant numbers of attendees anticipated. This is likely to mean longer than usual queues to get through security and into Parliament. If you are planning to attend the PANS PANDAS debate, please do allow extra time for any queues.
Who will be there?
The lead Member of Parliament for this debate is Wendy Chamberlain, MP who is the Chair of the PANS PANDAS All-Party Parliamentary Group. We will not know until the day which other MPs will attend and/or speak. It is also possible, although not confirmed, that there may be some press coverage on the day.
Extreme weather and the backbench debate
Due to the current heatwave and the national weather warnings advising against unnecessary travel, we’ve made the very difficult decision, as a charity, not to attend the PANS PANDAS backbench debate in the House of Commons in person tomorrow. We will, of course, be watching via the live link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcparliament
Will I be able to speak to MPs?
The general public are only able to watch the debate and cannot take part. You could ask your MP to meet you in Parliament either before or after the event.
I can’t attend in person, can I still watch the debate?
Yes, the debate will be available both live and on-demand at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/
Has the charity organised this debate?
No, this event is a parliamentary event and is not being organised by PANS PANDAS UK. Charity representatives will be attending the event and have provided MPs with briefing information about PANS and PANDAS and the challenges which need addressing by the Government. Members of the PANS PANDAS UK Youth Board recently attended a roundtable event in Parliament to ensure that their lived experience was heard and understood by MPs to help them prepare for the debate.
Where can I find information to share with my MP?
You can find lots of relevant information to help your MP prepare for the debate in our MP briefing pack. You could use our template letters to invite your MP to attend, which also include a link to the briefing pack.
Why is there not an exact start time for the debate?
Debate start times are subject to change, depending on what urgent business needs to be addressed that day. There is a small chance that if that urgent business takes up a significant amount of time, the debate may have to be postponed. We will not know if this is the case until around lunchtime on the day of the debate.
When will the debate finish?
It is likely that the debate will conclude by 5pm.
What happens if the debate has to be postponed?
If the debate is postponed, it will be moved to when there is next availability in the schedule.
I have more questions…
Please do get in touch with us at info@panspandasuk.org if you have any further questions and we will do our best to answer them.
