Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department’s policy is on the commissioning of new clinical research on (a) testing regimes for urinary tract infections and (b) treatment methods for urinary tract infections?

The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including urinary tract infections; it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. In all areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity. There have been five NIHR-funded projects regarding urinary tract infection (UTI) testing published recently from five different universities.

In England, it is the responsibility of National Health Service commissioners to make decisions on individual treatments for UTIs on the basis of the available evidence, taking into account guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) where available. NICE guidance is always evidence based, adhering to the latest clinical thinking and research to determine the best treatment for patients.

The Department, through the NIHR, is funding the PRINCESS and ALTAR studies into the treatment of UTIs, and will receive any publications resulting from the work. Both projects are ongoing and the Department looks forward to seeing the results when they are completed.