Musculoskeletal Disorders: Health Professions

Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which NHS units treating musculoskeletal conditions in England include representatives of the (a) rheumatology and (b) orthopaedics medical specialties; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen
The Department does not collect centrally information on the representation of different disciplines in musculoskeletal departments. It is for local organisations to decide on the staffing structure of their individual departments. The national musculoskeletal coordinating group includes representation of both the British Society for Rheumatology, British Orthopaedic Association as well as other professional bodies.