Government committee to consider Alliance application for Alpha-1 NHS national service
The establishment of an NHS national service for the treatment of Alpha-1 could move a step closer this month when a key government committee considers whether the proposal from the Alliance progresses to the next stage.
The committee, called the Prescribed Specialised Services Advisory Group (PSSAG), sits within NHS England and is part of a complicated process that evaluates the funding and development of new services in the NHS.
Karen North said: “This is a critical moment in the campaign. The Alliance has demonstrated that there is widespread support from MPs in Parliament for a dedicated Alpha-1 service in the NHS and now is the time for the government to listen.”
The application from the Alliance includes our survey on the unmet medical need of Alpha-1 in the NHS and recommendations from leading respiratory clinicians on the structure of a proposed service.
Committee members are being contacted in advance of the meeting by the Alliance to ensure they are fully aware of the urgent needs of the Alpha-1 community. A dedicated Alpha-1 NHS service hasalready been endorsed by an independent committee of expert physicians who advise NHS England (the Clinical Reference Group).Source: Alpha-1 Alliance 01/09/2014