HC Deb 26 June 1984 vol 62 cc414-5W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the number of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in the north-west; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

For the reasons explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 2 February, at columns 335–36, it is not possible to give any kind of reliable figure. The estimate for the number of adults living in private households suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, given in "Handicapped and Impaired in Great Britain, 1971" is 135,000. No regional breakdown of this figure is available.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is proposed to improve services in the north-west for persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The provision of services for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in the north-west is the responsibility of the North-Western regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to make inquiries of the chairman of the authority.