§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the number of(a) children and (b) young adults with muscular dystrophy in each of the last 10 years. [100967]
§ Jacqui SmithThe data show counts of in-patient admissions to national health service hospitals in England since 1995 where muscular dystrophy was diagnosed during the first episode of care. We do not have the equivalent figures prior to 1995–96. This is due to changes in coding, which took place in 1995.
346W
All diagnoses, first episode of spell G71.0 muscular dystrophy,finished consultant episodes: Count of in-year admissions—NHS hospitals England 1995–96 to 2001–02 0–17 18–24 25–34 35 and over Not known Total 1995–96 477 144 175 623 2 1,421 1996–97 552 125 146 730 0 1,553 1997–98 673 217 169 751 2 1,812 1998–99 677 220 187 837 0 1,921 1999–2000 619 176 182 783 1 1,761 2000–01 652 168 186 760 0 1,766 2001–02 635 191 197 751 3 1,777 Note
This table is derived from ungrossed HES data.
§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Government policy with respect to muscular dystrophy. [100969]
§ Jacqui SmithPatients with muscular dystrophy (MD) can take advantage of a range of primary, secondary and tertiary services available. Children with MD form a considerable part of the caseload for children's community nursing services and many receive services from children's hospices. The children's national service framework will develop new national standards across the National Health Service and social services for children, including those with MD. The new standards will help to ensure better access and smoother progression in the provision of services for children, from initial contact with the NHS, via a general practitioner's surgery or NHS hospital, through to social services support.
Clinical and laboratory services for the diagnosis of MD are available through existing networks of regional genetics centres. In January 2002, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health, announced the spending of £11 million to boost capacity in NHS genetics services. This should help patients with muscular dystrophy and other genetic diseases.
There is no specific treatment for any of the forms of MD. Physical therapy and corrective orthopaedic surgery may be needed to improve the quality of life in some cases.