Health: Diabetes Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Low of Dalston
Main Page: Lord Low of Dalston (Crossbench - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Low of Dalston's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(11 years, 5 months ago)
Lords ChamberThe key thing here is for NHS England, Public Health England and local commissioners to work closely together, which is indeed what they are doing, so that the patient experiences a seamless service. Essentially, the new commissioning arrangements for national screening programmes enable effective commissioning and oversight of the whole screening pathway, alongside integrating those with the diagnostic and treatment services. To ensure a quality service, local programmes are assured by NHS screening programmes’ quality assurance teams and services are measured against 19 standards.
My Lords, I declare my interest as vice-president of RNIB. The Minister will be aware that NICE has recently approved the use of Lucentis as a treatment for those suffering from diabetic macular oedema. We are hearing reports from various parts of the country of queues building up of people requiring treatment for diabetic macular oedema. Will the Minister undertake to do his best to ensure that the necessary resources are put in place to relieve these backlogs and enable people to benefit from this new treatment that has now become available?
My Lords, I am aware of the issue that the noble Lord raises. He will know that NHS commissioners are statutorily required to fund clinically appropriate drugs and treatments which have been recommended by NICE. The Centre for Workforce Intelligence has been commissioned to review the ophthalmology medical workforce after discussions were held between the royal college and Health Education England earlier this year. That review is due to report in the summer and the results of it should, I hope, point the way to a resolution of the issue that the noble Lord has raised.