Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase access to specialised psychology services for rheumatology patients.

All local areas are expected to commission NHS Talking Therapies services which provide integrated psychological therapies for people with long-term health conditions including rheumatic conditions. As highlighted in the specialist service specification for rheumatology, a multidisciplinary approach is expected, and rheumatology teams work closely with other specialties, often involving joint clinics, including psychology and psychiatry services.