Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to ensure that there are sufficient specialist consultants in post to support all children living with neuromuscular conditions in the West Midlands.

NHS England is responsible for commissioning specialised services, including neuromuscular services. In July 2013 it published Neurosciences: Specialised Neurology (Adult), which is the service specification describing the service commissioned by NHS England for patients, including children, with a neuromuscular disorder within the neurology service. It is for service providers to put in place the clinical posts and infrastructure to deliver the requirements set out in the specification for their local population.

The service specification has been implemented since 1 October 2013. NHS England is working with providers to ensure they comply with the service description and standards.