§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the treatment in the NHS available to sufferers of lymphoedea. [9818]
§ Jacqui SmithI apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.
Treatment, and where it is delivered, will depend on whether the patient has primary or secondary lymphoedema. Health authorities, in partnership with primary care groups/trusts, have the responsibility for deciding what services to provide for their populations including those with lymphoedema. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.