Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of (a) MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) and (b) non-MRgFUS treatments for NHS patients on their [levels of?] wellbeing.

We have not made a specific assessment. On the National Health Service, transcranial magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy is only recommended for the treatment of medication-refractory essential tremor in patients that are not eligible for deep brain stimulation and within the criteria set out in the NHS’ guidance, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/transcranial-magnetic-resonance-guided-focused-ultrasound-thalamotomy-for-treatment-of-medication-refractory-essential-tremor/