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Musculoskeletal Conditions

I hope that I will demonstrate that as I progress. If my response is not sufficient, perhaps I could address the issue outside this particular debate. What is being done to help GPs to understand the symptoms of MSK conditions? We are providing information for patients and professionals on the symptoms and treatment of a variety of MSK conditions via NHS Choices, NHS Evidence and the map of medicine. We are publishing good practice and commissioning pathways for inflammatory arthritis for PCTs to adapt locally. We are developing that programme to include a layer of information for patients to cover all aspects of their stages of treatment. Of course, it is very important that we remember that the patient is at the centre of this information-giving activity and that, in many instances, they will be very aware of all the information that they require, which might at times be a difficulty—not a threat, but a difficulty—for some health professionals who have less knowledge of this particular subject than others. We are attending events across the country to promote the 18-week commissioning pathway for inflammatory arthritis. For example, the Department of Health recently attended a Nursing in Practice event in Birmingham to help to promote the pathway and information about rheumatoid arthritis among primary care nurses. We also attended the National Association of Primary Care conference to promote good practice among a wider audience, including GPs, PCTs and practice-based commissioners. On rheumatoid arthritis specifically, we are working with clinicians and support groups to understand how awareness among GPs and the public can be raised. For example, we are considering how to support the Rheumatology Futures Group and the Royal College of General Practitioners to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis. NHS Choices is a comprehensive web-based information service that is intended to help the public to make choices about their health, from lifestyle decisions through to the very practical aspects of finding and using NHS services in England. It provides a wealth of information to both patients and health care professionals on a wide range of conditions, including information on the symptoms and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The map of medicine provides GPs with information to help them to determine the best possible treatment options for their patients, including information on the various patterns of onset, diagnostic tests and medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is a map of best available research evidence and of best-evidence clinical guidelines. It displays this knowledge in a pathway that is easy to use and presented in a particular format, reflecting the patient journey and providing a framework for developing local pathways. The Rheumatology Futures Group is examining how to raise GPs' and primary health care professionals' awareness of inflammatory arthritis, including through educational material for GPs and practice nurses to increase awareness of early inflammatory arthritis in primary care. It is also examining pharmacists encouraging their patients who attend regularly for analgesic medication to seek advice from their GP, if inflammatory arthritis is a possibility. That is a different approach, as I am sure hon. Members will recognise. If someone regularly attends a pharmacy for anti-inflammatory painkillers, the pharmacist could ask, "Have you been to your doctor?" From all the evidence that I have described, it is evident that there is a willingness, a desire and a need to treat MSK conditions differently. Hon. Members have rightly mentioned the economy and Dame Carol Black's review. We agree on the importance of early diagnosis, and PCTs need to work with their providers. In our response to Dame Carol Black's review of the health of the working-age population, "Working for a healthier tomorrow", the Government set out a number of new and existing initiatives to support people entering, staying in or returning to work. Pathways to work, which is available to all individuals claiming benefits due to a health condition or disability, offers a mixture of mandatory interviews and voluntary programmes. I heard what was said about the interviews, how they are called and, in some instances, the ridiculousness, in terms of access, of where they are held—[Interruption.] I think that the hon. Member for Guildford has spread her throat infection rapidly across to me, although I am not sure how that has been achieved. The interviews need to be reviewed. I note the serious comments that have been made, not just as a Minister but as a constituency Member of Parliament, because I am also aware of some of the concerns. The condition management programme, which is voluntary, is delivered by multidisciplinary health care professional teams to empower individuals to understand and manage their health conditions in order to return to work. We must recognise how difficult it is for some people in our communities to work. Employers must engage with adaptation, if necessary, or provide a different role in the workplace. We all know that working gives people not only a better income, but a better quality of life. As a nurse in the community and among my own friends, I have witnessed how easy it is for people with chronic conditions to become isolated, especially if it is one of the dreadful inflammatory diseases involving joint disfigurement that can lead to embarrassment about the way that one looks. Leadership has been mentioned, and it is so important. I will put my cards on the table about the call for a national MSK clinical lead. Many requests have been made for champions for various clinical areas. Hon. Members can imagine how many people want a clinical lead for their speciality. As we announced last year in "High quality care for all", we decided to set up a National Quality Board to advise on future clinical priorities and what steps might be taken, such as the appointment of clinical champions, to promote clinical quality in identified priority areas. The National Quality Board recently conducted a stakeholder engagement on the criteria and process for setting priorities and the initial list of topics for consideration. Relevant NHS patient and professional organisations have been invited to suggest possible topics and submit evidence. We felt that that was the fairest way to manage huge demand. We recognise the difference that champions have made in cardiovascular, liver and neurological diseases and in cancer. I understand what people are saying, and I can only suggest that Members continue to take note of stakeholder groups. The organisations to which they belong, and in which they play such an important role, will help.