HC Deb 28 May 2004 vol 422 cc145-6W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what opportunities patients' groups will have for input into plans for chronic disease management clinics. [173920]

Mr. Hutton

The involvement of patients and patient groups is a crucial part of the strategy that the Department and the national health service are developing to deliver better services to people with chronic conditions. To that end we shall be encouraging primary care trusts to engage fully with patient groups in developing their plans.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department will publish exemplars for chronic disease management clinics; [173921]

(2) what criteria he is using to select exemplars for chronic disease management clinics. [173922]

Mr. Hutton

The Department is currently working with the national health service to develop a strategy to offer better services to people with chronic conditions. The role of exemplars has not yet been decided.

Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when his Department will publish details of his proposals on chronic disease management clinics; [174015]

(2) what funding the Government will make available for chronic disease management clinics. [174017]

Mr. Hutton

The Department is working with the national health service to develop a strategy on chronic disease, the aim of which is to help keep people with such conditions healthy. This strategy is focusing initially on providing case management, for people with complex needs, and on developing self care support to help people take control of their own conditions. It will be a decision for primary care trusts as to whether clinics are a part of their approach to delivering better care to people with chronic conditions, and, if so, what timescales and resources are attached to their development.

Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to set up chronic disease management clinics for inflammatory skin disease. [174016]

Mr. Hutton

The Department is working with the national health service to develop a strategy on chronic disease whose aim is to help keep people with such conditions healthy. This strategy is focusing initially on providing case management, for people with complex needs, and on developing self care support to help people take control of their own conditions. However, it is for primary care trusts to determine the best way to deliver services to people with skin conditions, whether through clinics or other delivery means.

Mr. Baron

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action his Department is taking to develop chronic disease management clinics; [174023]

(2) what timescale has been set for the establishment of chronic disease management clinics; [174025]

(3) what disease areas are being considered for chronic disease management clinics; and what plans he has to include dermatology as one of those disease areas. [174024]

Mr. Hutton

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook) today.