The NHS is here for everyone. No patient should be left behind no matter how rare their condition.
Very rare diseases sometimes require highly specialised services. Examples of such services include heart and lung transplants, liver transplants, mental health services for deaf children and some very rare cancers.
These services are often best provided in a small number of specialist centres. Concentrating clinical expertise helps ensure patients get a high quality service.
Nationally the NHS commissions over fifty specialised services like these at an annual cost of around £480m. About 10,000 patients a year benefit from these services. They all have serious, life-threatening or severe long-term conditions.
We all benefit from having a National Health Service that is a world leader in the development of advanced and highly specialised therapies.
For a full list of specialised services please visit our Key Documents section.