§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what training general practitioners receive in the control of pain and the nature of sickle cell crises.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 20 December 1991] : Responsibility for the curriculum for undergraduate medical education rests with the General Medical Council 528W and the Universities. We would expect haematology, pain control and the role of counselling and screening in genetic disease to be covered during the undergraduate syllabus. General practitioner training is decided by the trainer and trainee on the basis of the needs of the trainee and delivered either through direct tuition from the trainer or from formal vocational training sessions. Advice is readily available to general practitioners from local consultant haematologists who can involve other colleagues with expertise in relevant areas such as pain control. The Standing Medical Advisory Committee working party on sickle cell disease includes a general practitioner and so will be able to consider this aspect of treatment.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on sickle cell and thalassaemia services; and what representations he has received about these services; (2) what action he has taken to ensure that people with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia, and carriers, have access to appropriate services; and what guidance has been issued to district health authorities; (3) if he will adopt the 10-point charter on sickle cell and thalassaemia drafted by sickle cell and thalassaemia organisations with community health councils and other user representatives.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 20 December 1991]: The Government are fully aware of the importance of sickle cell and thalassaemia services. We aim to ensure that a good standard of service is provided by health authorities and others interested in the support and care of people with these conditions and their families. The deliberations of the working party of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee which will meet in the new year will provide a useful basis for developing service further.
The Department is currently providing section 64 funding to the sickle cell (£35,000) and United Kingdom thalassaemia (£28,000) societies. Funding is to help in the provision of information and education material for sufferers and their families, the health care profession and the wider general public, including teachers and employers of the effect which sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia can have on the lives of those affected. Funding has also been provided to assist in the production of a video aimed at teaching children about sickle cell disease, and for one on thalassaemia featuring an Asian family and dubbed in various Asian languages. It is hoped that the former will be useful for teachers whilst the Asian language video will be a useful source of information and a teaching aid for people of Asian orgin.
Health authorities are responsible for ensuring that appropriate services are provided to meet the needs of their resident populations, including those with sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. Evidence from health authorities suggests that genetic screening and counselling facilities are available in those areas where the local population is likely to be susceptible to haemoglobinopathies. Counsellors give advice on services for patients as well as often being the link with local authorities on housing and other problems. The recommendations in the 10-point charter are primarily for consideration by health and local authorities, taking account of advice from health care professionals and other interested bodies.