§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is regarding photodynamic therapy and its availability on the NHS. [49022]
§ Jacqui SmithAt present, photodynamic therapy is not routinely available under the National Health Service. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is carrying out an appraisal of the use of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of macular disease, which they expect to complete in July, providing there are no appeals.
The Department has asked NHS bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the technology first became available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all relevant factors including the available evidence on effect.