Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England has assessed the potential merits of a dedicated referral and support pathway for patients experiencing Topical Steroid Withdrawal, distinct from standard eczema care.

There has been no national assessment of need for a dedicated referral and support pathway for topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). Care for patients presenting with TSW is provided through services commissioned by individual integrated care boards.

The Elective Reform Plan, published January 2025, outlines actions that will help ensure care is delivered in the right place. This includes expanding the use of Advice and Guidance, a clinical collaboration tool that supports timely specialist input and helps patients receive care in the right setting, including for dermatology care.