NHS England first published its commissioning policy in 2013, revised in 2015, which permits access to autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) as a clinical option for some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The commissioning policy is available at the following link:<\/p>
<\/p>
https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/01/b04-haematp-stem-cll-transplt.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> As with any HSCT there are risks to the procedure and when considering this treatment for patients with MS the balance of risk and benefit must be carefully assessed for each patient. Neurologists and transplant doctors in the United Kingdom are guided by the recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, published in 2012, and the guidance of the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation when considering the suitability of transplant. These criteria restrict the use of autologous HSCT to a small group of MS patients with high levels of inflammatory activity despite one or more approved disease modifying therapies and very rare patients with 'malignant' forms of MS. Patients should be assessed by both MS and transplant specialists.<\/p> <\/p> Neurologist and transplant doctors should be guided by these recommendations and decisions related to a patient\u2019s care are a matter for clinicians.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "218237"}
, {"_value" : "218238"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-12T16:26:03.363Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Multiple Sclerosis: Stem Cells"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, why my constituent\u2019s stem cell treatment for MS has been halted due to NHS England\u2019s decision to no longer allow GPs to refer patients for the treatment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1538", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rosie Cooper"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Lancashire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rosie Cooper"}
], "uin" : "218236"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056691", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056691/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " NHS England first published its commissioning policy in 2013, revised in 2015, which permits access to autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) as a clinical option for some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The commissioning policy is available at the following link:<\/p> <\/p> https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/01/b04-haematp-stem-cll-transplt.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> As with any HSCT there are risks to the procedure and when considering this treatment for patients with MS the balance of risk and benefit must be carefully assessed for each patient. Neurologists and transplant doctors in the United Kingdom are guided by the recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, published in 2012, and the guidance of the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation when considering the suitability of transplant. These criteria restrict the use of autologous HSCT to a small group of MS patients with high levels of inflammatory activity despite one or more approved disease modifying therapies and very rare patients with 'malignant' forms of MS. Patients should be assessed by both MS and transplant specialists.<\/p> <\/p> Neurologist and transplant doctors should be guided by these recommendations and decisions related to a patient\u2019s care are a matter for clinicians.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "218236"}
, {"_value" : "218238"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-12T16:26:03.427Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Multiple Sclerosis: Stem Cells"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason Ms Helen Townsend\u2019s Stem Cell treatment for MS was halted part way through as a result of NHS England's decision that GPs can longer refer people for the treatment and that patients must now be referred by a MS Neurology Specialist.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1538", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rosie Cooper"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Lancashire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rosie Cooper"}
], "uin" : "218237"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056692", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056692/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " NHS England first published its commissioning policy in 2013, revised in 2015, which permits access to autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) as a clinical option for some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The commissioning policy is available at the following link:<\/p> <\/p> https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/01/b04-haematp-stem-cll-transplt.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> As with any HSCT there are risks to the procedure and when considering this treatment for patients with MS the balance of risk and benefit must be carefully assessed for each patient. Neurologists and transplant doctors in the United Kingdom are guided by the recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, published in 2012, and the guidance of the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation when considering the suitability of transplant. These criteria restrict the use of autologous HSCT to a small group of MS patients with high levels of inflammatory activity despite one or more approved disease modifying therapies and very rare patients with 'malignant' forms of MS. Patients should be assessed by both MS and transplant specialists.<\/p> <\/p> Neurologist and transplant doctors should be guided by these recommendations and decisions related to a patient\u2019s care are a matter for clinicians.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "218236"}
, {"_value" : "218237"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-12T16:26:03.473Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Multiple Sclerosis: Stem Cells"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the effect of NHS England\u2019s decision not to allow GPs to refer patients for Stem Cell treatment for MS on (a) patient health and (b) West Lancashire constituent Ms Townsend's (i) halted treatment and (b) recovery.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1538", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rosie Cooper"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Lancashire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rosie Cooper"}
], "uin" : "218238"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056721", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056721/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care discusses a wide range of issues with a number of stakeholders and other Government Departments.<\/p> <\/p> Medicines to treat bleeding disorders are in scope of our medicines contingency plans because these are licensed medicines. Contingency work for blood and blood components is being led by NHS Blood and Transplant.<\/p> <\/p> We understand that these medicines are vitally important to many people in this country. Our contingency plans include sensible mitigations for medicines that come to the United Kingdom from or via the European Union to ensure that the supply of medications for bleeding disorders and other essential medicines for patients is not disrupted. In developing our plans, we have received very good engagement from industry who share our aims of ensuring that the continuity of supply of medicines and medical products for patients is maintained and able to continue unimpeded after the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019.<\/p> <\/p> We have asked companies to ensure a minimum of six weeks additional supply over and above existing business as usual stocks by 29 March 2019, or to make provision for airfreight of medicines that cannot be stockpiled.<\/p> <\/p> That is why we are working to ensure we have sufficient roll-on, roll-off freight capacity on alternative routes to enable these vital products to continue to move freely in to the UK. Medicines and other medical products will be prioritised on these routes to ensure that the flow of all these products will continue unimpeded after 29 March 2019.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1585", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Hammond"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wimbledon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Hammond"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-12T17:42:06.623Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Blood Diseases: Drugs"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with pharmaceutical companies on access to medication for bleeding disorders in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kingston upon Hull North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Diana Johnson"}
], "uin" : "218233"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056732", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056732/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England are leading the dialogue with Vertex Pharmaceuticals around access to their portfolio of cystic fibrosis medicines. It is critical that Vertex now re-engages fully with the NICE appraisal process and gives serious consideration to the portfolio deal offer that NHS England made at the end of July. This deal would provide immediate access for patients to all Vertex licensed medicines and future pipeline products once licensed and in advance of the individual NICE appraisals concluding.<\/p> <\/p> The Government fully supports the approach that NICE and NHS England are adopting. It is crucial that patients have access to the most effective and innovative medicines at a price that represents value to the National Health Service.<\/p> <\/p> NHS England has proposed its best offer ever for a drug. This offer, in the region of £500 million over five years, is the largest ever commitment of its kind in the 70-year history of the NHS and would guarantee immediate and expanded access to both Orkambi and the drug Kalydeco for patients who need it. Whilst it is disappointing that Vertex has not taken up NHS England\u2019s offer, we are encouraged that there is continued dialogue between all parties.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4067", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Brine"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Winchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Steve Brine"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-12T15:33:24.82Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Lumacaftor/ivacaftor"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on securing the availability of Orkambi on the NHS for patients with cystic fibrosis.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4571", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gill Furniss"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gill Furniss"}
], "uin" : "218344"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056733", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056733/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Specialised services for the support and treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are commissioned nationally by NHS England. CF services are delivered in about 20 Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Centres and about 20 Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centres. There are separate service specifications for adults and children. These specifications are important in clearly defining what NHS England expects to be in place for providers to offer evidence-based, safe and effective care and treatment. The support equity of access to a nationally consistent, high quality service.<\/p> <\/p> The specifications can be found via the following links:<\/p> <\/p> www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Cystic-fibrosis-adult.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/a01Sb-spec-cystic-fibrosis-child.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> In October 2017, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published new guidance for the diagnosis and management of CF. This includes specific details on how to monitor the condition and manage the symptoms to improve quality of life. This guidance can be found via the following link:<\/p> <\/p> www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng78<\/a><\/p> <\/p> NICE is the organisation responsible for assessing the clinical and cost effectiveness of medicines for the National Health Service.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4067", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Brine"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Winchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Steve Brine"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-12T15:53:01.777Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cystic Fibrosis: Medical Treatments"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the NHS is able to offer all treatment options for patients with cystic fibrosis.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4571", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gill Furniss"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gill Furniss"}
], "uin" : "218345"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056765", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1056765/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " All National Health Service dental practices are required to display a poster showing patient charges and to offer patients a free leaflet which sets out in detail who is entitled to free NHS dental services. Information on exemptions and support for people who are on a low income can also be found at the following link:<\/p> <\/p>