Written question asked by Lord Harrison (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 April 2013.

Health: Sleep Apnoea

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the omission of respiratory disease from the NHS Commissioning Board’s list of Strategic Clinical Networks, what steps they will take to ensure that improvements in obstructive sleep apnoea care and services continue in the reformed National Health Service.[HL6432]

Answer: The future programme of work on delivering improvements for people with respiratory disease, including those with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), will be a matter for the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB) and clinical commissioning groups from 1 April 2013. The NHSCB is currently developing its work priorities and plans, which will be based on delivering quality care that is effective and safe and that ensures a positive patient experience. Clinical commissioning groups are well placed at a local level to understand and respond to the needs of their local populations, including people with OSA.

Secondary information