§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to assist sufferers of lupus; and if he will make a statement. [171753]
§ Angela SmithRheumatologists throughout Northern Ireland manage patients with lupus, with input from other specialists as required. The management of any individual patient with lupus depends on the type of lupus, the nature of their disease and its severity. Specific services for lupus patients include a lupus clinic run by rheumatologists in Belfast, and management in a day ward for patients who require it. Lupus is also an area where there is significant research activity and clinicians working in this area have recently received funding from the Wellcome Foundation.