Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
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 whether the needs of patients with fibromyalgia are being met by the NHS.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
No assessment has been made. The majority of patients with fibromyalgia can be cared for in primary care settings. To support healthcare professionals and commissioners in meeting the needs of patients, there is National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance available on the diagnosis and management of chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia.
The Fibromyalgia Association UK has also worked with healthcare professionals to develop a guidance for health professionals.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to promote greater awareness of fibromyalgia among (a) the medical profession, (b) government departments and (c) employers.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
There are no specific plans to promote greater awareness of fibromyalgia. There is National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance available on the diagnosis and management of chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia. NICE promotes guidance via its website, newsletters and other media. NICE guidelines represent best practice and health professionals, including general practitioners, are expected to take them fully into account.
There are also a range of initiatives to support greater employer awareness of health conditions such as fibromyalgia, including the Information and Advice Service which provides better integrated and tailored guidance on supporting and managing health and disability in the workplace.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on proposals for a review of (a) treatment and (b) guidance on best practice for patients with fibromyalgia.
Answered by Will Quince
The Department has had no such discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NICE published its guideline on primary and secondary chronic pain in over 16 years old in April 2021. The guideline makes recommendations on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of chronic primary pain, including fibromyalgia, which is classified as a type of chronic primary pain. The full recommendations are available at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng193/resources/chronic-pain-primary-and-secondary-in-over-16s-assessment-of-all-chronic-pain-and-management-of-chronic-primary-pain-pdf-66142080468421.
NICE has no plans to update the guidance at this time, however their surveillance programme ensures that its published guidelines are up to date by exploring if there is any new evidence to contradict, reinforce or clarify the recommendations it makes.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of new research published on the treatment of fibromyalgia in the last two years.
Answered by Will Quince
No specific assessment has been made.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based recommendations and guidance for the health and care system. NICE guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with stakeholders. NICE maintains surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance and would consult on proposed changes with a wide range of stakeholders if significant new evidence was to emerge.
Asked by: Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the 10 Year Cancer Plan will include a strategy to improve pancreatic cancer survival rates; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure improved survival rates from pancreatic cancer.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Holly Mumby-Croft MP) on 24 May 2022 to Question 3800.