Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 June 2023. It was answered by Maria Caulfield (Conservative) on Monday, 10 July 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Lyme Disease

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make (a) an assessment of the adequacy of the NHS (i) capacity and (ii) capability to diagnose Lyme disease and (b) a comparative assessment of best practice in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease in (A) the UK, (B) the US and (C) Germany.

Answer

The Government has not conducted an assessment of the adequacy of National Health Service capability and capacity to diagnose Lyme disease or a comparative assessment of best practice in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany.

Diagnosis of Lyme disease in England and Wales is conducted by the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL). RIPL provides Lyme polymerase chain reaction PCR testing and a comprehensive serological panel which has been fully validated to UK Accreditation Service standards.

Services for the treatment of Lyme disease are commissioned locally. These services are the responsibility of integrated care board and general practitioners use their professional judgement in diagnosing and treating this condition.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
190272
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Diagnosis Germany NHS Medical treatments USA Lyme disease
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk