Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2014 to Question 211202 what steps he is taking to (a) improve support for people with fibromyalgia and (b) increase public awareness of that condition.

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, some treatments can ease symptoms and support improved quality of life for patients. The treatments offered will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but may include: pharmacological pain relief; physiotherapy; dietary and exercise advice; counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy; and self-management programmes which aim to give patients the skills and confidence to manage their conditions more effectively. There are also a number of National Health Service trusts that offer specialist fibromyalgia clinics, such the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, which patients can access on referral from the clinician responsible for their care.

We know that early diagnosis is the key to improving outcomes across many conditions. Detailed information about fibromyalgia, including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options, suitable for newly diagnosed patients, is available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk.