Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the availability of early intervention and treatment pathways for children with Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS); and what steps he is taking to improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

Paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are distressing conditions for children, young people, and their families, and we recognise the challenges that families face.

The Department acknowledges the importance of raising awareness of PANS/PANDAS to improve diagnosis. That is why we welcome the formation of the PANS PANDAS Steering Group which includes representatives from key royal colleges, specialist clinical bodies, and the national charity PANS PANDAS UK. The steering group has already taken action to improve awareness, understanding, and care.

Work is underway to develop the first United Kingdom clinical guidelines for PANS and PANDAS, led by a multidisciplinary group and supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. These guidelines are expected to be published in autumn 2026 and will support more consistent care across the system. Pending publication, the PANS PANDAS Steering Group recommends that clinicians be aware of existing international peer-reviewed guidelines, including the PANS research consortium treatment guidelines, published in 2017, and the clinical guidance for diagnosis and management of PANS in the Nordic Countries, published in 2021.

With the backing of NHS England, a dedicated PANS PANDAS research group is advancing efforts to strengthen the evidence base, including through a nationwide surveillance study, designed to identify the number of children and young people presenting to healthcare professionals with symptoms matching the diagnostic criteria for PANS and PANDAS.

In addition, a cross-sector group is developing practical guidance for local authorities to improve support for children and young people living with PANS and PANDAS. Publication is due later this year, ensuring more consistent access to appropriate educational and social care services.

More widely, healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This includes taking account of new research and developments in guidance, such as that produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients.