§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that advances in research in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis are made available to patients.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergResearchers sponsored by the Department are encouraged to make their findings known as widely as possible through the various means available including publication in journals and presentation of papers at conferences. Reports on research are available through the Department. The extent to which research findings on rheumatism and arthritis are applied in the treatment of patients is a matter for decision by the relevant professional discipline.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the waiting time for a hospital bed in each region for the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI regret this information is not available for a more recent period than 1978. Details are to be found in table 6 of theHospital Inpatient Enquiry, main tables, series MB4 No. 12 published by HMSO 1981.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are known (a) to be unable to get out of their homes and (b) to have had to give up work because of rheumatism and arthritis.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI regret that the information requested is not available.