What assessment has the Minister made of the effectiveness of the diagnosis and treatment of Pernicious Anaemia in Wales?
I am aware the Chief Medical Officer and officials met with you and the Chair of the Pernicious Anaemia Society recently to discuss these issues. Officials have asked NICE to look at the possibility of producing guidelines in this area. If they were to take this work forward in producing the guidance they would need to address the issues you raised:
- produce a summary of the research currently undertaken and identify the gaps in the treatment and diagnosis
- identify why the guideline is needed and where it will add value
- how the guideline will build on, rather than simply reproduce the actions required by statutory guidance
- how the guideline will link to other NICE recommendations and quality standards that are published or in development
- a draft outline of the NICE pathway (NICE clinical pathways generally include an interactive flowchart)
- the potential equality issues among groups sharing protected characteristics and how these will be considered
- the health inequalities associated with socioeconomic factors and with inequities in access for certain groups to healthcare and social care, and opportunities to improve health.
The work therefore that NICE would undertake in producing a guideline would cover the issues raised by the Society during the meeting.
Officials will continue to engage with the Pernicious Anaemia Society to ensure we fully understand the challenges and opportunities faced by those with this condition.