§ Ms PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a specialist nurse service for multiple sclerosis patients along the lines of the breast care nurse scheme. [83362]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department currently has no plans to establish a specialist nursing service for multiple sclerosis patients. We welcome the spirit of partnership with the voluntary sector shown by the recently launched Multiple Sclerosis Society initiatives to jointly fund nursing posts for patients with MS. It is, however, for the National Health Service locally to decide whether to pursue this initiative in the light of their local needs and priorities.