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Musculoskeletal Conditions

That is a skilled way of using my words slightly differently. I laid my cards on the table and said what we were doing. I said that we were engaging with stakeholders. My hon. Friend will be able to engage with them and will, I am sure, continue to champion the issue in the way that he has demonstrated in this debate. He also mentioned the best and worst services in the country, possibly in relation to the King's Fund report. We now have a constitution that must be followed and guidelines within the constitution on the practice of administration and the availability of new drug treatments and services. PCTs must be called to account to their own communities. The 18-week time standard has significantly improved access to treatment for many patients, including those with MSK conditions. In August 2007, just 68 per cent. of non-admitted rheumatology patients received treatment within 18 weeks of referral. Hon. Members will be pleased to know that by October last year, that figure had jumped to 98 per cent. Personalised care plans are a new concept for patients with long-term conditions and their families. They allow people to take control of their own care instead of being dictated to by professionals, particularly in relation to their pain level. The patient's pain level is what the patient says it is. We now have expert pain management clinics to help people live with chronic conditions. The hon. Member for Southport (Dr. Pugh) said that his mother puts up with hers, but the "mustn't grumble" days are over for people with such conditions. They must grumble—a lot of grumbling has been done in a managed and professional way in this debate. I believe that with the advent of the movement of long-term conditions into the community and away from a consultant-led, in-hospital approach, which uses serious resources inappropriately, we all need to consider quality, safety and the personalised care of patients with chronic conditions such as MSK, as we have a duty to do.