Question reference: S6W-08085
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 19 April 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 May 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that (a) children and (b) adults diagnosed with cystic fibrosis have the clinical psychologist and social worker resourcing available in their multidisciplinary team, as set out in the service specifications for adult and paediatric care.
Answer
Both adult and paediatric patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) can access a range of appropriate services via their local NHS Boards, Integrated Joint Board and specialist centres.
The National Services Division (NSD) of NHS National Services Scotland commission a number of highly specialist services for young people and adults with CF are delivered via multi-disciplinary teams, including clinical psychologists at 3 specialist centres around the country – in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. There are also outreach services in Dundee and Inverness. Paediatric CF services are delivered locally by NHS Boards like through the South-East Scotland Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Service.
Due to the variable management required, much of the treatment required by CF patients is specialist and tailored to the needs of the individual patient. The Scottish Government therefore expects NHS Boards to treat CF patients according to individual need, this includes ensuring clinical psychologist and social work input when required.
The Scottish Government is committed to working to improve outcomes for people with rare conditions, including Cystic Fibrosis. We are developing an Scottish Action Plan for Rare Disease based on the four priorities of the UK Rare Disease Framework: faster diagnoses, increased awareness, better care co-ordination, and access to specialist treatments and care.