Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to ensure that charities representing patients are consulted by NICE when drawing up treatment guidelines; and whether they have asked NICE to take evidence from the Multiple Sclerosis Society over the guidance being prepared on the management of multiple sclerosis.

We have made no representations and have not asked the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to take evidence from the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Charities representing patients are able to register as stakeholders and we understand that the Multiple Sclerosis Society is a stakeholder in the development of NICE's updated clinical guideline on multiple sclerosis. In developing guidance, NICE consults with its registered stakeholders and takes their comments fully into account. We understand the Society has responded to NICE's recent consultation on its draft guideline in detail.