§ Mr. WoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for improved training of medical staff and general practitioners in diagnosing and treating dystonia; and how much is spent annually on research into the causes and treatment of dystonia. [150423]
§ Mr. DenhamAll doctors, including general practitioners, and medical staff receive training designed to ensure they have the basic skills, knowledge and experience to provide quality services to patients and to respond to changing patterns of disease and modern methods of health care delivery.
The main Government agency for research into the causes of, and treatment for disease, is the Medical Research Council (MRC) funded via grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
The MRC has spent the following amounts on research related to dystonia:
£ 1994–95 1,435,000 1995–96 1,702,000 1996–97 1,784,000 1997–98 1,731,000 1998–99 1,769,000 In 1999–2000 the MRC spent over £3 million on research into movement disorders including dystonia.