Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Richard Bacon (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 14 June 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Children's Hospices

Question: Quidenham children's hospice in Norfolk treats children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which the Secretary of State mentioned earlier. Is the Minister aware that age discrimination may be being practised against people who suffer from that tragic condition? If they are fortunate enough to reach the age of 21, which many do not, they can no longer be treated by a children's hospice, and adequate alternatives are not in place. He will know that there is a lobby on Duchenne muscular dystrophy today, and I was glad to hear the Secretary of State say that the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Jane Kennedy), would meet people from that campaign later. Will the Minister look into my point and see what can be done?

Answer: I would be happy to do that. Our strategy in that area of policy is clear. The national service frameworks for children's health, and more broadly, set clear service standards. It is important that those promises are backed by the record extra investment in primary care. The average primary care trust will have an extra £45 million or so in investment over the next two or three years, and that level of investment will make those standards real.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 435 c146
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Children Diseases Hospices NHS Palliative care Muscular dystrophy Finance
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk