Written question asked by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Friday, 28 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 March 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 March 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on Government policy with respect to muscular dystrophy. - Inc figure.

Answer: Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Government policy with respect to muscular dystrophy. [100969] Jacqui Smith: Patients with muscular dystrophy (MD) can take advantage of a range of primary, secondary and tertiary services available. Children with MD form a considerable part of the caseload for children's community nursing services and many receive services from children's hospices. The children's national service framework will develop new national standards across the National Health Service and social services for children, including those with MD. The new standards will help to ensure better access and smoother progression in the provision of services for children, from initial contact with the NHS, via a general practitioner's surgery or NHS hospital, through to social services support. Clinical and laboratory services for the diagnosis of MD are available through existing networks of regional genetics centres. In January 2002, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health, announced the spending of £11 million to boost capacity in NHS genetics services. This should help patients with muscular dystrophy and other genetic diseases. There is no specific treatment for any of the forms of MD. Physical therapy and corrective orthopaedic surgery may be needed to improve the quality of life in some cases.

Secondary information