§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are psoriasis sufferers in England and Wales in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. WhitneyI am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member information in precisely the form requested. The majority of psoriasis sufferers are treated by general practitioners or as hospital out-patients and diagnostic information is not held centrally on these patients. The available information is given in the table. Figures for Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
NHS non-psychiatric, non-maternity hospitals, England 1982 1983 1984 Estimated number of in-patient cases with main diagnosis of psoriasis and similar disorders 6,910 7,170 7,730
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to put psoriasis on the prescribed list of prescription exemptions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeI shall let the hon. Member haw a reply as soon as possible.