Neuropsychiatric Conditions: PANS and PANDAS

Welcomes the Government's introduction of guidelines in autumn and asks if they will address inconsistencies and postcode lottery issues.

Questions whether there is sufficient evidence for early use of antibiotics and expresses concern over NICE's reluctance to issue guidance on PANS and PANDAS.

Expressed admiration for the hon. Member for running a marathon and raising funds for PANS/PANDAS.

Discussed her constituent Joanne's son Jake, who has lived with PANS/PANDAS for over six years. Emphasised the need for urgent resolution of treatment and funding issues by North East and North Cumbria integrated care board. Welcomed Government’s work on clinical guidelines but asked when they would be published. Highlighted the importance of better recognition and data collection to support future research, service planning, and timely, coordinated care.

Expressed gratitude for the debate's focus on PANS/PANDAS and highlighted Albie's campaign efforts. Criticised the NHS for failing families by requiring private assessments and treatment. Called for better guidance for the NHS to close knowledge gaps, improved education support for affected children, and urged more research into PANS/PANDAS.

Ms Murray thanked her colleague for raising awareness of PANS/PANDAS and highlighted the challenges faced by families in obtaining a diagnosis. She mentioned that families often incur significant financial costs, including travelling to London for private consultations. Ms Murray called on the Government to support research into these conditions and urged for an end to the postcode lottery system affecting access to treatment.

I pay tribute to the hon. Member for North East Fife (Wendy Chamberlain) for securing the debate and for setting out the landscape facing those with PANS/PANDAS in the UK, and I thank her for her sustained work through the APPG on the issue. Many right hon. and hon. Members have contributed to the debate, including the hon. Member for Carlisle (Ms Minns), the hon. Member for Henley and Thame (Freddie van Mierlo), and my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis). The problem is not that every scientific question has been answered; there is uncertainty and professional disagreement, but this should not translate into inconsistency in the treatment of children affected by PANS/PANDAS. At present, there is no official NHS clinical guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of PANS/PANDAS, which leads to a postcode lottery where families receive different levels of support based on their location.

The hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland West thanked those involved in bringing forward today’s debate on PANS/PANDAS, praising the quality of contributions despite fewer attendees. She discussed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment, acknowledging the challenges families face due to varying care delivery methods. She highlighted ongoing NHS England initiatives with PANS PANDAS UK to improve awareness and care, including developing clinical guidelines expected for publication in autumn 2023.

The hon. Member for North East Fife thanked the Minister and others involved in the debate on PANS/PANDAS, highlighting themes such as the need for better recognition of these conditions at their intersection with mental health services. She emphasised the importance of early diagnosis to prevent children from being caught in a limbo within mental health pathways.