Written question asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Monday, 28 October 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 November 2019. It was answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford (Conservative) on Monday, 4 November 2019 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Liothyronine: West Midlands

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action can be taken by thyroid patents who in raising concerns about the Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group's (CCG) refusal to allow the prescription of liothyronine, were told by that CCG to raise the issue with NHS England only to be told by NHS England to raise the matter with that CCG.

Answer: Clinical commissioning groups (CCG) are the responsible commissioner for this prescription of liothyronine. NHS England and NHS Improvement has set out its position and it is for CCGs to have regard to that guidance. If a CCG has a commissioning policy that differs from the guidance, then it is for the CCG to explain to patients why this is the case and the basis on which their decision was made. Therefore, patients should raise their concerns with the CCG. NHS England and NHS Improvement’s guidance does not remove the discretion of individual prescribers who remain responsible for clinical decisions relating to their patient’s care.

Secondary information