To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to collect information on the number of newly diagnosed cases of rheumatoid arthritis; what recent representations he has received on the number of persons with rheumatoid arthritis; and if he will make a statement. (205057)

We have no plans to collect national information on the number of people newly diagnosed with specific medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Primary care trust commissioners of national health service services should make commissioning decisions by identifying current needs and anticipating future trends. This includes the gathering of quantitative and quantative information that they require to do this.

We have received representations from individuals asking for information on the number of people with rheumatoid arthritis.