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Cervical Smears
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what checks are made to ensure that departmental guidelines on the taking of cervical smears are followed.[3253]
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Ms Jowell:
Guidance on taking cervical smears was given in the British Society for Clinical Cytology's training video and booklet for smear-takers, "Taking Cervical Smears" which was promulgated to the NHS under cover of EL(94)33, and "Quality Assurance Guidelines for the Cervical Screening Programme" issued to the NHS in March 1996. A further training resource pack is currently in preparation by the NHS, which will include methods of audit. Copies of these guidance documents are available in the Library. It is for health authorities to ensure that quality standards in smear-taking are achieved.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of actions for clinical negligence brought against each NHS trust in the Northern and Yorkshire regions in the last two years. [3254]
Mr. Milburn:
At present this information is not held centrally. However, the Department of Health is actively considering what steps can be taken to improve the range of clinical negligence data collected to get a more accurate picture of the effect of clinical negligence on National Health Service funds.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish his conclusions on the location of cancer treatment centres. [3255]
Mr. Boateng:
A great deal of work has been undertaken in the National Health Service to implement the recommendations contained within the document "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services". A key element has been local discussion as to where and what cancers should be treated at each individual potential cancer centre or cancer unit. As the process is ongoing, we will continue to review progress before considering any announcement.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases there have been in which NHS staff have been the subject of criminal prosecutions based on their work for the NHS in each of the last 10 years. [3256]
Mr. Milburn:
I have inquired what information is available. Unfortunately, no information is held centrally. It may be held by personnel departments of individual NHS employers but could be collected only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances a patient receiving cancer surgery has a right to be told the results of such surgery. [3257]
Mr. Boateng:
We are concerned to ensure that all patients and their families, including cancer patients, who may have particular worries about their condition and treatment, including surgery, receive information which is clear, concise and easily understood, not only about the proposed treatments, but about possible alternatives and any substantial risks. A patient partnership strategy has been developed to ensure that the National Health Service
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gives patients and their carers greater voice and influence in their own care. This will not only increase patient satisfaction but is also likely to improve health care outcomes. This important principle has been emphasised to local health authorities, trusts and individual clinicians.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the General Medical Council takes to eliminate racism in the exercise of its functions of professional regulation. [3258]
Mr. Milburn:
The General Medical Council has made it clear that it is committed to a system of self-regulation of the medical profession which is open and accountable; and to procedures and processes that are fair, objective, transparent and free from discrimination.
The General Medical Council's guidance Good medical practice states that doctors "must not discriminate against colleagues, including doctors applying for posts, because of your views of their lifestyle, culture, beliefs, race, colour, sex, sexuality, or age." and the President of the Council has made it clear that the same principle must apply, and be seen to apply, to the GMC itself.
The GMC commissioned a report by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) in 1996 which reviewed the GMC's handling of complaints against doctors. The PSI found no evidence of overt discrimination. The GMC is commissioning a further study by PSI for later this year.
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances pathologists reporting cervical cytology are permitted to advise on follow-ups without a record of the visual appearance of the cervix. [3259]
Ms Jowell:
A record of the visual appearance of the cervix is a requirement on the pathology request form only in cases of suspected abnormality. Since the purpose of the cervical smear test is to detect abnormalities at a very early stage, a cervical smear can be classed abnormal in cases where the appearance of the cervix remains normal. Pathologists are expected to advise on follow-up action on the basis of an abnormal smear alone, whether or not there is a record of the visual appearance of the cervix. Where the request form explicitly states that the cervix has not been visualised, pathologists should always advise that follow-up action be taken.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total remuneration package for the current financial year for (a) the highest paid executive director, indicating the title of the post, and (b) the chief executive of Basildon and Thurrock hospital trust. [3303]
Mr. Milburn:
We are informed that the remuneration of the Executive Directors at Basildon and Thurrock General Hospital NHS Trust has not yet been agreed for the current financial year.
The total remuneration package for 1996-97 for (a) the highest paid executive director, the medical director, was £93,000 and (b) the chief executive of Basildon and Thurrock Hospital NHS Trust was £86,000. These figures are provisional and subject to audit.
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Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if a code of practice exists for senior health service management which discourages spouses being in a line management relationship; and if he will make a statement.[3300]
Mr. Milburn:
There is no specific code of practice. Employers are expected to follow good employment practice when involved in the recruitment and selection of staff. The actions of those who work in the National Health Service must be able to stand the test of parliamentary scrutiny, public judgments on propriety and professional codes of conduct.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the criteria by which trusts can determine that land within their ownership is hospital land surplus to requirements; [3301]
Mr. Milburn:
National Health Service trusts are responsible for determining their own property requirements but they must consult with the health authorities who may commission services from them (and who themselves have a statutory duty to consult on proposed substantial variations in services), and with other NHS organisations who may have an interest, before resolving that the property they own is not required for NHS purposes.
NHS trusts are required to prepare an annual business plan, supported by an estates strategy which details the plans they have for their property, which they must submit to the NHS Executive. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may, in the interests of the NHS, prohibit or restrict the disposal of assets owned by NHS trusts.
Mr. Charles Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department's review of the operation of the private finance initiative for health will include consideration of the need for the full environmental impact of such projects to be taken into account. [3593]
Mr. Milburn:
The Government have given a commitment to ensure that all Government Departments promote policies to sustain the environment, and any changes to the private finance initiative approvals process will take into account. Any changes to the PFI appraisal process within the National Health Service will be made in accordance with that policy.
Mr. Pearson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how hospitals in the Dudley borough will be affected by the Government's commitment to cut NHS waiting lists by an extra 100,000 patients. [3648]
Mr. Milburn:
Our manifesto commitment is to treat an extra 100,000 patients through reducing bureaucracy. Linked to this is our commitment to end waiting times for cancer surgery, especially breast cancer. We have already
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announced an initiative to improve breast cancer services (22 May). We will be discussing our future plans with the National Health Service before making any final decisions about the exact scope of our targets and how quickly we will expect them to be achieved.
(2) what procedure must be followed by NHS trusts prior to resolving that land within their ownership is hospital land surplus to requirements. [3302]
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