Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to dedicate funding and resource to the research and treatment of Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has advised that no research into paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) is currently being funded through its coordinating centres. However, the NIHR welcomes funding applications from patients, carers, clinicians, healthcare workers, service managers and researchers for research into any aspect of human health. Although 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.

Assessment, investigation, diagnostic formulation and treatment of children with this condition requires the involvement of multidisciplinary teams, including paediatric specialists and children’s mental health teams with the relevant expertise. Training on PANDAS is included in the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health’s curriculum.