Written question asked by Helen Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 May 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Thursday, 11 May 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department has issued to NHS trust and social services departments on the care to be offered to those suffering from new variant CJD. - (Holding answer 10 May 2000).

Answer: Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to NHS trust and social services departments on the care to be offered to those suffering from new variant CJD. [121137] Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 10 May 2000]: Health Service Circular 1999/178 issued to National Health Service trusts, primary care groups, and others in August 1999, among other things drew attention to the resources available to health professionals when dealing with the care of patients suffering from all forms of CJD. The CJD Support Network, in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Social Services, has published good practice guidelines for social services professionals who care for variant CJD patients. In addition, we will shortly be publishing some new guidance intended for healthcare professionals. It will mention the importance of having a named `key worker' in place after any diagnosis of CJD, whose role will be to co-ordinate all professional care. The National CJD Surveillance Unit, funded directly by the Department, also employs a care co-ordinator, to act as a source of advice an expertise to health care professionals.

Secondary information