Health: Dystonia
House of Lords
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston (Labour)
To ask Her Majesty's Government how eligibility criteria for treatments such as deep brain stimulation will be determined following the passing to the proposed NHS Commissioning Board of commissioning of specialised services.
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the NHS Commissioning Board to publish eligibility criteria for the commissioning of deep brain stimulation.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they expect the NHS Commissioning Board to consult the Dystonia Society and other patient groups on the development of commissioning policies for the treatments of last resort such as deep brain stimulation.
Earl Howe (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Quality), Health; Conservative)
Health professionals are able to refer suitable patients for this treatment who meet the criteria detailed in the guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. This will continue to be the position following the introduction of the NHS Commissioning Board.
No final decisions have yet been taken on which services the NHS Commissioning Board will directly commission from April 2013. Work is currently under way with National Health Service commissioners to develop the list of services.
It will be for the NHS Commissioning Board to decide how best to consult with the Dystonia Society, and other patient groups, on commissioning policies.