MACULAR DEGENERATION - ACCESS TO TREATMENT

Early day motion 316, tabled 9 December 2002 by Alan Meale (Labour). Signed by 73 members.

That this House believes that people suffering with wet age-related macular degeneration are entitled to full access to treatment that could prevent them from losing their sight; is aware that the National institute for Clinical Excellence has recently issued provisional recommendations that photodynamic therapy be withheld from many people with age-related macular degeneration; notes that, if accepted, these recommendations will lead to approximately 5,000 people each year suffering from predominantly classic wet age-related macular degeneration having treatment withheld; and calls upon the Government not to agree to these views, but instead to support wider access to photodynamic therapy for all age-related macular degeneration sufferers.

Signatures by party: Labour 44, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 6, Labour/Co-operative 4, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.