Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to support scientific evidence gathering for topical steroid withdrawal including (a) patient involvement in research (b) research into mechanisms underlying the condition, (c) risk factors for developing the condition and (d) how common the condition is.

The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including topic steroid withdrawal. 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.

The NIHR expects patient and public involvement in the research it supports. Applicants for NIHR funding are required to set out plans for involving the patients and the public in funding applications, which are assessed by funding committees.