Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the time taken for restless leg syndrome to be identified in patients who present relevant symptoms in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset, and (c) England.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to supporting people with restless leg syndrome and ensuring they receive the support that they need, including referral to specialist services as appropriate.
Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy and care plan in place, the majority of people with restless leg syndrome can be cared for through routine access to primary, secondary, and community care services. Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB which covers the Yeovil constituency, are responsible for commissioning most services for people with restless leg syndrome. ICBs are best placed to plan the provision of services to meet the needs of their local population.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical knowledge summary (CKS) on restless leg syndrome, which is available at the following link:
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/
CKS’ are designed to collate and summarise all the guidance and evidence on specific topics and they are a source of supporting information mainly for National Health Service staff working in primary care. The CKS for restless leg syndrome recognises that iron deficiency and dysfunction of iron metabolism are likely causes of restless leg syndrome, and states that a full iron assessment, including ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage transferrin saturation, should be requested for patients with restless leg syndrome. If iron deficiency anaemia is found, or serum ferritin levels are less than 50 to 75 micrograms per litre, clinicians should investigate to identify a cause of iron deficiency and prescribe iron supplements.
We do not hold data on the time taken for patients to receive a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome after first presenting with relevant symptoms.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing access to iron infusions for patients with restless leg syndrome in (a) Yeovil constituency (b) Somerset and (c) England.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to supporting people with restless leg syndrome and ensuring they receive the support that they need, including referral to specialist services as appropriate.
Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy and care plan in place, the majority of people with restless leg syndrome can be cared for through routine access to primary, secondary, and community care services. Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB which covers the Yeovil constituency, are responsible for commissioning most services for people with restless leg syndrome. ICBs are best placed to plan the provision of services to meet the needs of their local population.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical knowledge summary (CKS) on restless leg syndrome, which is available at the following link:
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/
CKS’ are designed to collate and summarise all the guidance and evidence on specific topics and they are a source of supporting information mainly for National Health Service staff working in primary care. The CKS for restless leg syndrome recognises that iron deficiency and dysfunction of iron metabolism are likely causes of restless leg syndrome, and states that a full iron assessment, including ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage transferrin saturation, should be requested for patients with restless leg syndrome. If iron deficiency anaemia is found, or serum ferritin levels are less than 50 to 75 micrograms per litre, clinicians should investigate to identify a cause of iron deficiency and prescribe iron supplements.
We do not hold data on the time taken for patients to receive a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome after first presenting with relevant symptoms.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support people in Yeovil constituency with restless leg syndrome.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to supporting people with restless leg syndrome and ensuring they receive the support that they need, including referral to specialist services as appropriate.
Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy and care plan in place, the majority of people with restless leg syndrome can be cared for through routine access to primary, secondary, and community care services. Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB which covers the Yeovil constituency, are responsible for commissioning most services for people with restless leg syndrome. ICBs are best placed to plan the provision of services to meet the needs of their local population.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical knowledge summary (CKS) on restless leg syndrome, which is available at the following link:
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/
CKS’ are designed to collate and summarise all the guidance and evidence on specific topics and they are a source of supporting information mainly for National Health Service staff working in primary care. The CKS for restless leg syndrome recognises that iron deficiency and dysfunction of iron metabolism are likely causes of restless leg syndrome, and states that a full iron assessment, including ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage transferrin saturation, should be requested for patients with restless leg syndrome. If iron deficiency anaemia is found, or serum ferritin levels are less than 50 to 75 micrograms per litre, clinicians should investigate to identify a cause of iron deficiency and prescribe iron supplements.
We do not hold data on the time taken for patients to receive a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome after first presenting with relevant symptoms.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support research into how neurodiverse conditions manifest in women.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The NIHR is funding a number of research projects on neurodiverse conditions including research into a new psychometric tool assessing the presentation of autism in women.
The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and social care, including neurodiverse conditions. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.
Welcoming applications on neurodiverse conditions to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility, both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment NHS England has made of the potential risks of dopamine agonists as a treatment for restless leg syndrome.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England has made no assessment. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) assesses all medicines before they are licensed in the United Kingdom, with regard to quality, safety, and efficacy. The licensed dopamine agonist medicines that are indicated for the treatment of restless leg syndrome (RLS) are ropinirole, pramipexole, and rotigotine.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently revised its Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) on the diagnosis and clinical management of RLS, which was updated in February 2025, and which can be used as a source of information for healthcare professionals. This CKS is available at the following link:
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/
Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for that part of the patient’s care. Prescribers are accountable for their prescribing decisions. Prescribers must always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed, and that they take account of appropriate national guidance on clinical effectiveness, as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NICE on the adequacy of treatments available for restless leg syndrome through the NHS in (a) Yeovil constituency (b) Somerset and (c) England.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not developed any guidelines on the diagnosis and/or management of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and has not evaluated any treatments for this condition. NICE has, however, commissioned a Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) on the diagnosis and clinical management of RLS, which was updated in February 2025, and which can be used as a source of information for healthcare professionals. This CKS is available at the following link:
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/
There are currently no plans to develop a NICE guideline on RLS. NICE has an established prioritisation process overseen by a prioritisation board, for the identification of priorities for guidance development. Anyone is able to suggest a topic through the NICE website, at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/forms/topic-suggestion
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of NICE guidelines on treatments for restless leg syndrome.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not developed any guidelines on the diagnosis and/or management of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and has not evaluated any treatments for this condition. NICE has, however, commissioned a Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) on the diagnosis and clinical management of RLS, which was updated in February 2025, and which can be used as a source of information for healthcare professionals. This CKS is available at the following link:
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/
There are currently no plans to develop a NICE guideline on RLS. NICE has an established prioritisation process overseen by a prioritisation board, for the identification of priorities for guidance development. Anyone is able to suggest a topic through the NICE website, at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/forms/topic-suggestion
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of exempting people with cystic fibrosis from prescription charges.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has no plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, for exemption from prescription charges.
Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with cystic fibrosis may be eligible.
Eligibility for these exemptions depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.
People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. To help spread the cost, people can pay for an annual PPC by ten monthly direct debits. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the need for minor eye care surgery services in Yeovil constituency.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local population, and for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services to meet them.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve (a) funding and (b) support for GP surgeries in Yeovil constituency.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recently announced schemes which will benefit from the £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund (PCUMF), to deliver upgrades this financial year to more than a thousand general practice surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care.
This will directly address the issue of staff who cannot work at full capacity due to space limitations and will enable practices to offer more appointments with their existing workforce through better use of space. The Government has already hired more than 1,500 extra general practitioners and announced an £889 million funding boost, the biggest for the sector in years.
The Somerset Integrated Care Board has prioritised 16 schemes to support with its £1 million allocation from the PCUMF, two of which are in the Yeovil Constituency. The Somerset Integrated Care Board has also been provisionally allocated the following amounts from capital programmes and operational capital for 2025/26: