HC Deb 31 March 1987 vol 113 cc499-500W
Mr. Simon

Hughes asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what factors he takes into account when deciding whether to provide funding for meningitis research; what plans he has to increase the number of different studies of meningitis for which he provides funds; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

[pursuant to her reply, 16 March 1987, c. 412]: The Department is always prepared to consider well-founded proposals for research on any matter related to the health services, subject to funds being available, as is the Medical Research Council (which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science) when such research is biomedical. Research projects are always submitted for assessment by independent scientists on (a) their likelihood of success (17) the quality of the science involved (c) whether they are new work or repeats of work already done, and (d) their ethical suitability.

Proposals for medical or scientific studies must come from the professionals in the appropriate fields, but on meningitis the MRC plans a meeting of experts from which we hope will come advice on areas which are likely to lead to productive research.

Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what initiatives he has taken to raise the level of public awareness of the symptoms of meningitis.

Mrs. Currie

[pursuant to her reply, 16 March 1987, c. 412]: Meningitis in its various forms tends to occur sporadically and unpredictably. Consequently, it is mainly for health authorities to consider the extent and timing of any initiatives to remind professionals and inform parents of the symptoms and the treatment available. As my noble Friend has advised on several occasions when asked about meningitis, parents who feel their children are ill— particularly with high fever — should not hesitate to contact their doctor quickly. We are aware that one authority, Gloucester, has produced an excellent leaflet on meningitis for distribution to parents and has made its text available to other authorities. The Department is now urgently considering how best this leaflet might be adopted for more general use.