Microbiology

(asked on 20th February 2019) - View Source

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 the effect of microbiota assessments as an adjunct to (a) physical examinations, and (b) mental health examination on the accuracy of medical diagnoses.


Answered by
Caroline Dinenage Portrait
Caroline Dinenage
This question was answered on 25th February 2019

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including on the microbiome/microbota. It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.

The evidence on the use of microbiota to improve diagnosis for a range of conditions is currently the subject of active research. The NIHR has directly funded and supported research studies on the microbiota and microbiome totalling £23.8 million in since 2011/12.

Reticulating Splines