Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to raise awareness among medical professionals of the symptoms of (a) sporadic, (b) variant, (c) genetic and (d) Iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
Answered by Steve Brine
Early diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) is challenging as the disorder is rare, and symptoms are non-specific, mimicking those seen in more common neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and infectious disorders. Rapidity of progression and lack of response to treatment often leads clinicians to suspect a CJD diagnosis.
The Department and the Scottish Government fund the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit (NCJDRSU) to provide inter-disciplinary clinical and laboratory expertise (neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, biochemistry, and epidemiology) enabling early and accurate diagnosis of CJD. Clinicians from across the United Kingdom can discuss cases at any time. Highly trained specialists assess suspected cases locally within five days of referral and conduct structured assessments (clinical history, examination, and review of investigation results) before establishing diagnoses based on validated criteria. A consultant neuroradiologist at the NCJDRSU assesses neuroimaging for patients throughout the UK with a suspicion of CJD. The unit also provides a national diagnostic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3/RT-QuIC service and will arrange collection of CSF samples with prompt results. Information on how clinicians can refer cases to the NCJDRSU is available at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/referral-system
The Department and the Scottish Government have funded the development of diagnostic tests that combined with improved interpretation of neuroimaging has improved diagnostic accuracy.
The NCJDRSU collects data on the number of people diagnosed with sCJD in the UK; break downs by of data for smaller geographies are not published. The following table shows a breakdown of the number of individuals, by year of death between 2014 and 2017. Date of diagnosis are considered synonymous for the purpose of reporting.
Number of sCJD 2014-18 in the UK by year of death (as at January 2019).
Year of death | Number |
2014 | 99 |
2015 | 105 |
2016 | 119 |
2017 | 120 |
2018 | 125 |
Source: NCJDRSU: https://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/figs.pdf
The NCJDRSU presents data regularly at clinical meetings and publishes in peer reviewed medical journals accessed by medical professionals, as well as producing a detailed annual report at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/report26.pdf
The NCJDRSU website also provides information on the different types of CJD at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/diagnosis-and-testing
sCJD is a rapidly progressive neurological disorder with an average time from first symptom onset to death of four months. The majority (88%) of individuals with sCJD over the past five years were assessed by clinicians from the NCJDRSU in life. After formal referral to NCJDRSU the average time to confirmation of the diagnosis was three days.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people were diagnosed with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in (a) Witham constituency, (b) the East of England and (c) England and Wales in the most recent five years for which data is available.
Answered by Steve Brine
Early diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) is challenging as the disorder is rare, and symptoms are non-specific, mimicking those seen in more common neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and infectious disorders. Rapidity of progression and lack of response to treatment often leads clinicians to suspect a CJD diagnosis.
The Department and the Scottish Government fund the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit (NCJDRSU) to provide inter-disciplinary clinical and laboratory expertise (neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, biochemistry, and epidemiology) enabling early and accurate diagnosis of CJD. Clinicians from across the United Kingdom can discuss cases at any time. Highly trained specialists assess suspected cases locally within five days of referral and conduct structured assessments (clinical history, examination, and review of investigation results) before establishing diagnoses based on validated criteria. A consultant neuroradiologist at the NCJDRSU assesses neuroimaging for patients throughout the UK with a suspicion of CJD. The unit also provides a national diagnostic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3/RT-QuIC service and will arrange collection of CSF samples with prompt results. Information on how clinicians can refer cases to the NCJDRSU is available at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/referral-system
The Department and the Scottish Government have funded the development of diagnostic tests that combined with improved interpretation of neuroimaging has improved diagnostic accuracy.
The NCJDRSU collects data on the number of people diagnosed with sCJD in the UK; break downs by of data for smaller geographies are not published. The following table shows a breakdown of the number of individuals, by year of death between 2014 and 2017. Date of diagnosis are considered synonymous for the purpose of reporting.
Number of sCJD 2014-18 in the UK by year of death (as at January 2019).
Year of death | Number |
2014 | 99 |
2015 | 105 |
2016 | 119 |
2017 | 120 |
2018 | 125 |
Source: NCJDRSU: https://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/figs.pdf
The NCJDRSU presents data regularly at clinical meetings and publishes in peer reviewed medical journals accessed by medical professionals, as well as producing a detailed annual report at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/report26.pdf
The NCJDRSU website also provides information on the different types of CJD at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/diagnosis-and-testing
sCJD is a rapidly progressive neurological disorder with an average time from first symptom onset to death of four months. The majority (88%) of individuals with sCJD over the past five years were assessed by clinicians from the NCJDRSU in life. After formal referral to NCJDRSU the average time to confirmation of the diagnosis was three days.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the symptoms of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are identified at the earliest opportunity.
Answered by Steve Brine
Early diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) is challenging as the disorder is rare, and symptoms are non-specific, mimicking those seen in more common neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and infectious disorders. Rapidity of progression and lack of response to treatment often leads clinicians to suspect a CJD diagnosis.
The Department and the Scottish Government fund the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit (NCJDRSU) to provide inter-disciplinary clinical and laboratory expertise (neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, biochemistry, and epidemiology) enabling early and accurate diagnosis of CJD. Clinicians from across the United Kingdom can discuss cases at any time. Highly trained specialists assess suspected cases locally within five days of referral and conduct structured assessments (clinical history, examination, and review of investigation results) before establishing diagnoses based on validated criteria. A consultant neuroradiologist at the NCJDRSU assesses neuroimaging for patients throughout the UK with a suspicion of CJD. The unit also provides a national diagnostic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3/RT-QuIC service and will arrange collection of CSF samples with prompt results. Information on how clinicians can refer cases to the NCJDRSU is available at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/referral-system
The Department and the Scottish Government have funded the development of diagnostic tests that combined with improved interpretation of neuroimaging has improved diagnostic accuracy.
The NCJDRSU collects data on the number of people diagnosed with sCJD in the UK; break downs by of data for smaller geographies are not published. The following table shows a breakdown of the number of individuals, by year of death between 2014 and 2017. Date of diagnosis are considered synonymous for the purpose of reporting.
Number of sCJD 2014-18 in the UK by year of death (as at January 2019).
Year of death | Number |
2014 | 99 |
2015 | 105 |
2016 | 119 |
2017 | 120 |
2018 | 125 |
Source: NCJDRSU: https://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/figs.pdf
The NCJDRSU presents data regularly at clinical meetings and publishes in peer reviewed medical journals accessed by medical professionals, as well as producing a detailed annual report at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/report26.pdf
The NCJDRSU website also provides information on the different types of CJD at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/diagnosis-and-testing
sCJD is a rapidly progressive neurological disorder with an average time from first symptom onset to death of four months. The majority (88%) of individuals with sCJD over the past five years were assessed by clinicians from the NCJDRSU in life. After formal referral to NCJDRSU the average time to confirmation of the diagnosis was three days.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve diagnosis rates of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Answered by Steve Brine
Early diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) is challenging as the disorder is rare, and symptoms are non-specific, mimicking those seen in more common neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and infectious disorders. Rapidity of progression and lack of response to treatment often leads clinicians to suspect a CJD diagnosis.
The Department and the Scottish Government fund the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit (NCJDRSU) to provide inter-disciplinary clinical and laboratory expertise (neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, biochemistry, and epidemiology) enabling early and accurate diagnosis of CJD. Clinicians from across the United Kingdom can discuss cases at any time. Highly trained specialists assess suspected cases locally within five days of referral and conduct structured assessments (clinical history, examination, and review of investigation results) before establishing diagnoses based on validated criteria. A consultant neuroradiologist at the NCJDRSU assesses neuroimaging for patients throughout the UK with a suspicion of CJD. The unit also provides a national diagnostic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3/RT-QuIC service and will arrange collection of CSF samples with prompt results. Information on how clinicians can refer cases to the NCJDRSU is available at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/referral-system
The Department and the Scottish Government have funded the development of diagnostic tests that combined with improved interpretation of neuroimaging has improved diagnostic accuracy.
The NCJDRSU collects data on the number of people diagnosed with sCJD in the UK; break downs by of data for smaller geographies are not published. The following table shows a breakdown of the number of individuals, by year of death between 2014 and 2017. Date of diagnosis are considered synonymous for the purpose of reporting.
Number of sCJD 2014-18 in the UK by year of death (as at January 2019).
Year of death | Number |
2014 | 99 |
2015 | 105 |
2016 | 119 |
2017 | 120 |
2018 | 125 |
Source: NCJDRSU: https://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/figs.pdf
The NCJDRSU presents data regularly at clinical meetings and publishes in peer reviewed medical journals accessed by medical professionals, as well as producing a detailed annual report at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/report26.pdf
The NCJDRSU website also provides information on the different types of CJD at the following link:
http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/surveillance/diagnosis-and-testing
sCJD is a rapidly progressive neurological disorder with an average time from first symptom onset to death of four months. The majority (88%) of individuals with sCJD over the past five years were assessed by clinicians from the NCJDRSU in life. After formal referral to NCJDRSU the average time to confirmation of the diagnosis was three days.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the recruitment and retention of GPs in (a) Witham constituency and (b) Essex.
Answered by Steve Brine
The number of general practitioner (GP) vacancies in Witham constituency and Essex is not collected or held centrally. This data is only published at a national level.
Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has advised that it recognises that GP availability is challenging and it has therefore funded recruitment of other clinical roles in primary care, such as paramedics, to support practices in Witham and elsewhere.
Getting the skills mix right in general practice is critical in addressing workload pressures as well as in delivering appropriate patient care. This will mean bigger teams of staff, providing a wider range of care options for patients and freeing up more time for GPs to focus on those with more complex needs. The CCG has advised that it is working with its member practices, including those in Witham, to reflect this national priority. Practices have the discretion within their contracts to decide the staff skill mix required to meet their patient populations’ needs.
The CCG and colleagues across the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership have advised they are also focusing on European Union and international GP recruitment and are supporting GPs in accessing the GP retention scheme. They have also advised that they are supporting the development of the School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University and are working in partnership with the Essex Primary Care Inter-professional Centre around a localised clinical recruitment service called Essex Primary Care Careers.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many GP vacancies there are in (a) Witham constituency and (b) Essex.
Answered by Steve Brine
The number of general practitioner (GP) vacancies in Witham constituency and Essex is not collected or held centrally. This data is only published at a national level.
Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has advised that it recognises that GP availability is challenging and it has therefore funded recruitment of other clinical roles in primary care, such as paramedics, to support practices in Witham and elsewhere.
Getting the skills mix right in general practice is critical in addressing workload pressures as well as in delivering appropriate patient care. This will mean bigger teams of staff, providing a wider range of care options for patients and freeing up more time for GPs to focus on those with more complex needs. The CCG has advised that it is working with its member practices, including those in Witham, to reflect this national priority. Practices have the discretion within their contracts to decide the staff skill mix required to meet their patient populations’ needs.
The CCG and colleagues across the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership have advised they are also focusing on European Union and international GP recruitment and are supporting GPs in accessing the GP retention scheme. They have also advised that they are supporting the development of the School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University and are working in partnership with the Essex Primary Care Inter-professional Centre around a localised clinical recruitment service called Essex Primary Care Careers.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government announcement of 21 November 2018 entitled New funding for primary and community healthcare by 2023-24 under the NHS Long Term Plan, how much of that funding will be allocated to support the development of multi-disciplinary healthcare centres.
Answered by Steve Brine
On 21 November 2018, the Prime Minister announced investment in primary and community healthcare worth an additional £3.5 billion a year in real terms by 2023/4 and a commitment to ensure a growing share of overall National Health Service spending for primary medical and community healthcare.
Allocation of the £3.5 billion of new funding is currently under consideration. The long-term plan is due to be published later this year with allocations for individual clinical commissioning groups expected to be determined early in the new year.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government announcement of 21 November 2018 entitled New funding for primary and community healthcare by 2023-24 under the NHS Long Term Plan, how much of that funding will be made available to (a) Mid-Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and (b) North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group.
Answered by Steve Brine
On 21 November 2018, the Prime Minister announced investment in primary and community healthcare worth an additional £3.5 billion a year in real terms by 2023/4 and a commitment to ensure a growing share of overall National Health Service spending for primary medical and community healthcare.
Allocation of the £3.5 billion of new funding is currently under consideration. The long-term plan is due to be published later this year with allocations for individual clinical commissioning groups expected to be determined early in the new year.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government announcement of 21 November 2018 entitled New funding for primary and community healthcare by 2023-24 under the NHS Long Term Plan, how he plans to allocate the £3.5 billion of new funding up to 2023-24.
Answered by Steve Brine
On 21 November 2018, the Prime Minister announced investment in primary and community healthcare worth an additional £3.5 billion a year in real terms by 2023/4 and a commitment to ensure a growing share of overall National Health Service spending for primary medical and community healthcare.
Allocation of the £3.5 billion of new funding is currently under consideration. The long-term plan is due to be published later this year with allocations for individual clinical commissioning groups expected to be determined early in the new year.