§ Lord Dubsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made regarding the effectiveness of (a) physiotherapy and (b) diet in helping multiple sclerosis sufferers. [HL3015]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)No formal assessments have been made regarding the effectiveness of physiotherapy and diet in helping multiple sclerosis sufferers. However, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently commissioning guidelines on the management of multiple sclerosis. These clinical guidelines will cover all aspects of care.
The guidelines will be based on robust research evidence, and will consider issues of clinical and cost effectiveness. They will be issued in a form that is useful to clinicians and patients on a day-to-day basis.
§ Lord Dubsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to increase the resources devoted to (a) physiotherapy and (b) dietary advice for multiple sclerosis sufferers. [HL3016]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Government are committed to improving services for all National Health Service patients, including those with multiple sclerosis. My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announced a four-year package of additional funding for the NHS, its biggest ever increase in resources. It is, however, for individual health authorities and primary care groups to plan and arrange the services available to people in their care.
Complex multiple sclerosis is included in the comprehensive list of specialised services in the Health Service Commissioning in the New NHS. This means that regional offices will need to give special consideration in the treatment and care of people with complex multiple sclerosis.