Written question asked by Virendra Sharma (Labour) on Thursday, 27 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 October 2011. It was answered by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 2 November 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Pain

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the publication of a quality standard for chronic pain in adults.

Answer: We wrote to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in December, asking for further scoping work on 11 topics, and for advice on their suitability for the development of quality standards. The list included a possible quality standard or standards on pain relief, including pain relief in children. This topic of 'pain management' was included in the proposed list for the library of NICE Quality Standards that the National Quality Board will be considering shortly, following the completion of an engagement exercise hosted by NICE. An announcement will be made in due course.

Secondary information