§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he is undertaking to recategorise Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement; [127410]
(2) what representations he has received (a) requesting that the present categorisation of Huntington's disease be reassessed and (b) opposing any recategorisation; [127409]
(3) when Huntington's disease was declassified as a mental condition. [127411]
§ Mr. DenhamHuntington's disease is regarded as a neurological condition, although in its end stages it does lead to dementia. Patients need to receive care appropriate to the stage of the disease they have reached, and this may include management by nursing staff who have experience of treating patients with challenging behaviour.
There are no plans to recategorise Huntington's disease at present, and no representations have been received by the Department asking for recategorisation.