NHS letter Hypothyroidism Prescribing medication response: FOI release

Information requested

“I am looking for a copy of a letter dated 13 February 2019 that the above Minister sent to NHS Board Directors of Pharmacy, NHS Board ADTC Chairs, NHS Board Medical Directors and others, regarding the prescribing of Liothyronine, also known as T3, for hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) for an article I am writing. I have seen an image of it on Twitter.

In the letter he asked for a response in writing by 27 February 2019 confirming that 'your Health Board is committed to:

1. a holistic and safe review of patients prescribed T3 which is undertaken by a healthcare professional based on the needs of the individual patient.

2. clinicians initiating and continuing T3 where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so, as agreed with a consultant who specialises in endocrinology.'

I would like to know which health boards have responded to this letter confirming that that are committed to the above, which health boards have not responded and what the Minister intends to do about those who have not.I know Tayside isn't complying with the points the Minister asked for confirmation on as there were questions raised in Parliament about this by Elaine Smith, MSP, in General Questions, this morning.

I would also like to know how many patients in Scotland are currently prescribed T3, the cost of this, and would appreciate a breakdown of this information by health board. In the case of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board - is it possible to have this information separately for 1. Greater Glasgow and 2. Clyde?”

 

Response

 

Question 1

 “I am looking for a copy of a letter dated 13 February 2019 that the above Minister sent to NHS Board Directors of Pharmacy, NHS Board ADTC Chairs, NHS Board Medical Directors and others, regarding the prescribing of Liothyronine, also known as T3, for hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) for an article I am writing. I have seen an image of it on Twitter.”

 Response

A copy of the letter dated 13th February 2019 sent by the Minister to NHS Board Directors of Pharmacy, NHS Board ADTC Chairs, NHS Board Medical Directors regarding the prescribing of Liothyronine is attached under the heading Annex B.

 

Question 2

 “I would like to know which health boards have responded to this letter confirming that that are committed to the above, which health boards have not responded and what the Minister intends to do about those who have not.”

 Response

All territorial Health Boards in Scotland have responded to the Minister confirming that they are committed to:

 1. a holistic and safe review of patients prescribed T3 which is undertaken by a healthcare professional based on the needs of the individual patient.

 2. clinicians initiating and continuing T3 where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so, as agreed with a consultant who specialises in endocrinology.'

 

Question 3

“I would also like to know how many patients in Scotland are currently prescribed T3, the cost of this, and would appreciate a breakdown of this information by health board. In the case of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board - is it possible to have this information separately for 1. Greater Glasgow and 2. Clyde?”

 Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested because this is information that is not routinely collected by the Scottish Government. Individual Health Boards may be able to provide the information that you have requested. The reasons why we don’t have the information are explained in Annex A

 

ANNEX A

REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

The Scottish Government does not have the following information:

 

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

foi-19-00776 information released

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