| answer text |
<p>The Ministers of the Department of Health have had no meetings with their European
Union counterparts about treatment strategies for scoliosis.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine to the sides but is not considered
a disease and does not always require treatment. However, for those in which the condition
causes a long-term problem, the Department in its mandate to NHS England sets out
plans to enhance the quality of life for all patients with a long-term condition,
including those affected by scoliosis.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition,
the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance in June 2014
which states that the ‘Magnetic Expansion Control System should be considered for
children aged 2 and over with scoliosis, who need surgery to correct their curved
spine’.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Information concerning the number of finished
consultant episodes for patients with a primary diagnosis of scoliosis in the last
five years is attached. It should be noted that these figures do not represent the
number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within
the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. Data also capture
a small number of no-surgical interventions, such as drug treatments.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The cost of treating a patient aged 19 years and over
with scoliosis or other spinal deformity in one episode of care under a consultant
is £1,368. This is the national average unit cost reported by NHS trusts and foundation
trusts in 2012-13 reference costs submitted to the Department. This national average
unit cost varies from £924 for patients with the lowest level of complications and
comorbidities to £2,412 for patients with the highest level of complications and comorbidities.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
|
