Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in what way the NHS is supporting patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

The National Health Service supports patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) through a multi-layered approach that combines community-based primary care, specialist dermatological treatments, and targeted mental health integration. Because HS is a painful, chronic, inflammatory skin condition, the NHS focuses on reducing the frequency of flare-ups, managing wounds, and addressing severe impact on quality of life.

The Getting it Right First Time dermatology programme supports patients with HS by working with NHS trusts to improve patient pathways, reduce unnecessary appointments, share best practice, and make better use of technology. This work is intended to improve access, reduce waiting times, and ensure specialist dermatology capacity is available for patients with complex conditions, including HS.