Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 July 2000. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Monday, 3 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he is undertaking to recategorise Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement; what representations he has received (a) requesting that the present categorisation of Huntington's disease be reassessed and (b) opposing any recategorisation; when Huntington's disease was declassified as a mental condition.

Answer: Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he is undertaking to recategorise Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement; [127410] (2) what representations he has received (a) requesting that the present categorisation of Huntington's disease be reassessed and (b) opposing any recategorisation; [127409] (3) when Huntington's disease was declassified as a mental condition. [127411] Mr. Denham: Huntington's disease is regarded as a neurological condition, although in its end stages it does lead to dementia. Patients need to receive care appropriate to the stage of the disease they have reached, and this may include management by nursing staff who have experience of treating patients with challenging behaviour. There are no plans to recategorise Huntington's disease at present, and no representations have been received by the Department asking for recategorisation.

Secondary information