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HEALTH
NHS (Management Costs)
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were (a) the management costs and (b) the establishment of the national health service in England in (i) 1988-89 and in (ii) 1994-95; and what estimate he has made of changes in those figures over the current planning period. [9827]
Mr. Malone: Information on management costs is not available on a comparable basis for 1988-89 and 1994-95.
As we announced in October, we are requiring a cash reduction of 5 per cent. in the costs of running health authorities and trust management costs in 1996-97 compared with the 1995-96 planned spend. The savings generated from these cost reductions will be available for patient care.
Mr. Redmond:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the redundancy and early retirement costs per head in respect of his proposed reduction in national health service managers. [9828]
Mr. Malone:
It is not possible centrally to estimate the redundancy or early retirement costs of staff who are made redundant or retire early as a result of reductions in the costs of running health authorities and in trust management costs.
Ms Harman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for a national recruitment campaign for doctors and nurses. [10749]
Mr. Malone:
There is a long-term information campaign to young people aged 12 to 18 years, those over 18 and their advisers, providing materials designed to encourage a flow of suitably qualified, high calibre and well-informed applicants for training as nurses, midwives, health visitors and professionals allied to medicine, and to retain them in the national health service when qualified.
Last year, we accepted the recommendation of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee to increase medical student intake to 500 to reach a target intake of 4,970 by the year 2,000. The overall number of both medical students and doctors has increased steadily and will continue to do so. Entry to the medical profession--medical students--is over-subscribed in terms of applications to medical schools.
It is for local employers to determine their human resources strategies and to take appropriate action to recruit and retain sufficient qualified staff to deliver those services which they are contracted to supply.
Mr. Milburn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the 1995 national review of contracting will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [10930]
26 Jan 1996 : Column: 416
Mr. Malone:
The 1995 review of contracting will be finalised in March. We do not intend to circulate the review, but key messages will be incorporated in wider purchasing guidance. A copy of the review will be placed in the Library when it is finalised.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 14 December, Official Report, column 812, if he will list the eight main information lines under the jurisdiction of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the information given out by these information lines. [11146]
Mr. Horam:
Information on the eight main information lines are as listed. Unless stated otherwise, all these services are available free of charge and are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
26 Jan 1996 : Column: 417
Mrs. Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects of the European Specialist Medical Qualifications Order 1995 when implemented on the private cosmetic surgery industry; and if he will make a statement. [11593]
Mr. Malone:
None. The European Specialist Medical Qualifications Order implements the United Kingdom's obligations under European Council directive 93/16/EEC. This sets minimum standards for specialist medical training and facilitates the free movement of doctors throughout the European community through the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications. It was implemented following a full consultation exercise and extensive discussions with representatives of the medical profession and the General Medical Council.
Ms Quin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in respect of medical conditions for which treatment using temazepam is essential and where no alternatives are available. [11259]
Ms Harman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the quality of service provided by general practitioner co-operatives. [11868]
Mr. Malone:
I have been impressed by the quality of service in the general practitioner co-operatives I have visited. GPs, whether providing services individually or as members of co-operatives, retain full responsibility for the quality of care they offer.
Ms Harman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many attacks against NHS staff have been reported in each of the last five years. [11870]
Mr. Horam:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 18 December 1995, column 948.
Mr. Alton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what scientific research has been commissioned by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority concerning the freezing of human embryos; when the research was commissioned and published; and if he will list the actual and expected dates of completion and publication. [12160]
26 Jan 1996 : Column: 418
Mr. Horam:
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has no powers to commission research. The authority's report to United Kingdom Health Ministers on the statutory storage period for embryos refers, at paragraphs 24 to 25, to work done to review current scientific knowledge.
Copies of the report are available in the Library.
Mr. Alton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the research material considered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in relation to its report on the statutory storage period for human embryos. [12158]
Mr. Horam:
I have placed in the Library a copy of a bibliography, supplied by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which was prepared by its working group on embryo freezing.
Mr. Alton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's responses given by clinics to the Authority's Survey to questions concerning the freezing of human embryos. [12159]
Mr. Horam:
I shall be writing to the hon. Member following my meeting with him on 24 January 1996.
Health information service 0800 66 55 44
The health information service is a national network of local telephone helplines. By dialling the national telephone number callers are automatically routed through to their local helpline service. The helplines give information and advice about NHS services, waiting times for treatment, common illnesses and treatments, maintaining and improving health, NHS complaints procedures and local NHS charter standards. The helplines are open 10.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, but may vary locally. Calls are confidential. The health information service cannot give a medical diagnosis.
National drugs helpline 0800 77 66 00
The national drugs helpline offers a complete range of confidential advice, information and support. Callers are able to speak to trained, experienced advisors who will respond to requests for basic information about drugs and solvents, through to information about local services and to helping those concerned about their own or others drug problems.
Leaflets and literature are supplied to callers on request. The service is also available in a range of other languages.
National Aids helpline 0800 567 123
The national AIDS helpline offers advice and information about HIV and AIDS. Callers can also request free leaflets on aspects of HIV and AIDS. Calls to the helpline are confidential.
Health literature line/organ donor telephone service 0800 555 777
The health literature line is the telephone ordering service for free Department of Health publications on a range of health issues. Publications available free of charge include "The Patient's Charter", "A Traveller's Guide to Health" (a guide to fee or reduced cost emergency medical treatment abroad), and the NHS league tables.
The organ donor telephone service issue registration forms for the NHS organ donor register and answer some related questions.
Blood donor telephone service 0345 711 711
The blood donor telephone service offers advice to people who would like to become a blood donor or who want to know where their nearest blood donor centre or session is. Calls to the service are charged at local call rates.
Drinkline 0345 711 711 (UK only); 0171 332 0202 (London only)
The drinkline service informs callers about alcohol, helps callers who are worried about their own drinking, supports families and friends of people with drinking problems and puts people in touch with local alcohol advisory services where appropriate. Calls to the service are charged at local call rates.
Sexwise 0800 282930
The sexwise telephone service offers advice and counselling on sexual matters for young people. Calls to the helpline are confidential. The line is open from 7am to midnight seven days a week.
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