Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department are taking to increase (a) early diagnosis and (b) effective treatment of (i) Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and (ii) Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections; and what steps his Department are taking to increase awareness of these conditions among medical professionals.

The Department has no plans to do so at present.

Should the evidence base develop further, clinical policy may be updated by relevant organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NHS England would then consider the development of care pathways for those living with paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. In the meantime, integrated care systems are responsible for planning care for their populations.

Medical professionals, such as general practitioners, are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This activity should include taking account of new research and developments in guidance to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients.