Written question asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Monday, 4 June 2007.

Health: Dyspepsia

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What estimates have been made of savings to the National Health Service in the event that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines for the management of dyspepsia in adults in primary care, published in August 2004, were fully implemented by all primary care trusts; and

Answer: We have made no estimate of the savings to the National Health Service that would result from full implementation by all primary care trusts (PCTs) of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on the management of dyspepsia in adults in primary care. Nor have we commissioned any studies on the level of implementation of the guideline by PCTs. NICE clinical guidelines are recommendations on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions and are intended to support clinical decision-taking. NICE guidance does not over-ride the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate decisions, which may deviate from the guidance, according to the circumstances of the individual patient and in consultation with the patient or their representative.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3877; 692 c161WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Cost effectiveness Diseases NHS Medical treatments Primary care trusts National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Digestive system
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk