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Births (Chorley and South Ribble)
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pregnant women living in the Chorley and South Ribble health area had their babies delivered (a) in Preston and neighbouring districts and (b) at Chorley general hospital in the last year for which figures are available; and what criteria relate to the transfer of women in labour from Chorley general hospital to Preston royal infirmary. [9855]
Ms Jowell: The last year for which figures for Chorley and South Ribble district health authority were available was 1993-94. In 1994-95, Chorley and South Ribble formed part of South Lancashire DHA, which means that the following figures are not consistent between the two years. The source of the data is "Hospital Episode Statistics (Maternity)".
| Percentage of women whose babies were delivered in: | Per cent. |
|---|---|
| Preston and neighbouring districts | 93 |
| Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust | 7 |
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| Percentage of women whose babies were delivered in: | Per cent. |
|---|---|
| Preston and neighbouring districts | 96 |
| Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust | 4 |
Women are transferred from Chorley to Preston for clinical reasons, where there are maternal or foetal complications.
Medical Devices Agency
Mr. Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the 1996-97 annual report and accounts of the Medical Devices Agency. [10431]
Ms Jowell: We have received the report and accounts of the Medical Devices Agency and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.
Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work
Mr. Eric Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the quinquennial review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work; and if he will make a statement. [10587]
Mr. Boateng: The Department will conduct a thorough review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work on behalf of the United Kingdom sponsoring Departments. The review, which is now due as part of the regular five-yearly examination of non-departmental public bodies, will take the form of a prior options study. It will assess the extent to which the functions of the council are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies and whether there is scope for rationalisation, market testing, privatising, contracting out or transferring all, or part, of its functions to another body. We will consult widely with all parties who have an interest in the work of the council.
The review will have regard to and take account of:
To minimise uncertainty, we expect this fundamental review to be completed by the end of October. Throughout, the Government's objective remains to ensure that quality services are delivered through a work force trained and qualified to appropriate levels of competence. Nothing must get in the way of achieving that objective.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement minimum mandatory standards for incontinence care provided throughout the NHS. [8981]
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Mr. Boateng:
Ministers have made a manifesto commitment to a long-term care charter to define standards for health, housing and social services. Additionally, the Government are planning to review the patients charter. Both of these charters are likely to provide an opportunity to develop, in liaison with a wide range of health and social care professionals and members of the public, standards which will improve not only the quality and delivery of incontinence care but other services which are aimed at the rehabilitative and long-term care needs of individuals.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department plans to make of the implementation by health authorities of its guidelines on incontinence care. [8982]
Mr. Boateng:
The Department of Health issued its guidelines, "An Agenda for Action on Continence Services" in 1991. Since 1991, the Department has continued to concentrate on the implementation of these guidelines through the funding of research; the setting up of a national resource centre and the promotion of annual public awareness campaigns on issues of prevention and early intervention.
"The NHS Priorities and Planning Guidelines for 1994-95" required health authorities to ensure that their continence services conformed to the good practice guidelines in "An Agenda for Action on Continence Services". In addition, health authorities were required to set targets for reducing the prevalence of incontinence in their local population. The Department of Health is currently examining the findings and recommendations of several reports it commissioned in response to the recommendations set out in the guidelines to determine the measures necessary to ensure the continual improvement of incontinence services.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the incidence of incontinence among people below the age of 60 years.[8983]
Mr. Boateng:
Information is not available on the incidence of incontinence. Information on prevalence is that 7 per cent. of adults aged under 60 living in private households reported having bladder problems in the 1995 "Health Survey for England". Further information is available on pages 134 to 137 of the publication "Health Survey for England 1995", copies of which are available in the Library.
Dr. Brand:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has evaluated which have compared the incidence of side effects suffered as a result of MMR vaccination in different countries. [9489]
Ms Jowell:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health is advised on immunisation matters by the independent expert advisory committee, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and on matters concerning the quality, safety and efficacy of vaccines by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.
Assessment of vaccine safety and efficacy can be based on experience in any country using an appropriate population, so long as the vaccine constituents are the
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 599
same. Studies of vaccine use in other countries can form the basis for authorisation of the product in the United Kingdom. The Department's independent expert advisory committees, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, have considered a large number of studies looking at the incidence of purported side effects both in the UK and other countries. Information on the safety of single antigen measles and rubella vaccines is also relevant where these components are identical to those in the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Safety studies have therefore been available from the 1960s for these vaccine components.
A list of the published studies considered by the expert advisory committees and by the Department on the incidence of side effects associated with, or suggested to be associated with, MMR vaccination in different countries has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to provide free dental checks for students. [9820]
Mr. Milburn:
Dental charges and all other aspects of Government spending are being reviewed as part of the Government's comprehensive spending review.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will provide financial assistance to students who incur chiropractor bills for treatment to serious injuries; and if he will make a statement. [9819]
Mr. Milburn:
The national health service does not reimburse patients for the cost of treatment obtained privately. Where chiropractic services are provided through the NHS, they are free of charge.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which screen children's hearing at or shortly after birth. [9917]
Mr. Boateng:
Most health authorities screen children who are at risk of permanent childhood hearing impairment soon after birth. We are currently considering ways in which the screening system for children with hearing impairment can be improved and extended, so that more children with PCHI can be identified and treated earlier in life. The Medical Research Council's Institute of Hearing Research recently published a report on the national provision of neonatal screening for hearing impairment, which we shall take into account. The report, entitled, "Critical Review of the Role of Neonatal Screening in the Identification of Childhood Hearing Impairment", will be placed in the Library shortly.
the implications of the Government's National Training Organisation initiative for the personal social services sector;
the recommendations of the report of the Dearing inquiry into higher education;
the Government's proposals for devolution in Scotland and Wales, and
the Government's intention to establish a general social services council.
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