HL Deb 24 June 2004 vol 662 cc151-2WA
Baroness Masham of Ilton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  • What is their definition of the term "chronic disease"; and [HL3200]
  • Whether eczema and psoriasis are classified as "chronic diseases"; and [HL3201]
  • WA 152
  • Whether money has been allocated to fund chronic disease management clinics for inflammatory skin diseases; and [HL3203]
  • Whether any money will be allocated to fund chronic disease management clinics for inflammatory skin diseases. [HL3204]

Lord Warner

Chronic diseases are those that can only be controlled and not, at present, cured. In some circumstances, eczema and psoriasis will be regarded as chronic. It will depend on how severely the patient is affected.

Primary care trusts, in partnership with local stakeholders, have the responsibility for deciding what services to provide for their populations, including those with skin disease. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.

Decisions on whether to fund chronic disease management clinics for inflammatory skin diseases will therefore be made locally.

Baroness Masham of Ilton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why skin diseases were not included in the Department of Health's recent document Improving Chronic Disease Management. [HL3202]

Lord Warner

The documentImproving Chronic Disease Management is intended to highlight the need to improve the management and treatment of chronic conditions, whatever they are. References to specific conditions are purely for illustrative purposes.

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