| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
HEALTH
CJD
Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the safety of medical appliances in respect of the transmission of CJD. [86030]
Ms Jowell:
Measures are in place to minimise the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease of any type in known and suspect sufferers being passed on to other patients via surgical instruments. These are set out in the joint guidance of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee published in April 1998 entitled "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: safe working and the prevention of infection". This guidance says that no instruments used on a known or suspect patient, whatever the procedure, should be re-used. In addition, for patients regarded as potentially at risk of CJD (for example recipients of human pituitary derived growth hormones), instruments used in procedure involving brain, spinal cord or eye cannot be re-used. This is kept under constant review and new findings are assessed as a matter of priority.
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 319
We have commissioned research into ways of detecting proteins on surfaces and improving decontamination and inactivation techniques. Meanwhile, current procedures give a high degree of protection and people should not be deterred from undergoing surgery where this is clinically necessary. The benefit to the patient must be weighed against any theoretical risk from CJD.
Sir Nicholas Lyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the rest requirements for an on-call rota for junior hospital doctors, pursuant to the Health Service Circular 1998/240; and if he will list those health authorities and hospitals in which the requirements of that circular are being observed. [86708]
Mr. Denham:
Doctors employed on an on-call rota are contracted to work a maximum average of 72 hours per week, 40 standard hours and up to 32 additional duty hours, with the expectation that they should not actually work more than 16 of the additional duty hours.
Health Service Circular 1998/240, issued on 23 December 1998, provided further national guidance to trusts on rest requirements. Doctors should spend at least one half of the out-of-hours duty period at rest between 5pm and 9am Monday to Friday or 9am to 9am Saturday and Sunday. Within these periods there should be a minimum continuous 5-hour rest period between the hours of 10pm and 8am.
We have not collected specific data on compliance solely within the terms of HSC 1998/240. However, trusts who comply fully with the New Deal are entitled to apply for accreditation. As at 31 March 1999, out of a total of 343 trusts in England, 67 trusts have been granted accreditation, and 77 are under consideration for accreditation.
Mr. Webb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the costs of (i) participation in the inquiry into paediatric cardiac care in Bristol and (ii) any consequent compensation for the resources available to the United Bristol Healthcare Trust and the Avon Health Authority. [86358]
Mr. Dobson:
The costs of participating in the Bristol inquiry, like unforeseen costs which affect other large trusts, fall to be borne by the United Bristol Healthcare Trust. The majority of likely implementation costs will, however, be borne by funds set aside nationally to meet such settlements and are likely to be spread over some years.
Dr. Gibson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will invite cancer research bodies to plan and share research and expertise. [87368]
Mr. Hutton:
The Government are currently considering plans to take this forward. Details will be announced shortly.
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 320
Dr. Gibson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will set up a national survey of cancer patients' experiences. [87365]
Mr. Hutton:
Officials are currently working with the relevant professional and patient groups to design a survey to take place later this year.
Mr. Paul Marsden:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans for the implementation of the report of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care. [87627]
Mr. Hutton:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 4 May 1999, Official Report, columns 360-61.
Mr. Hunter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take measures to ensure the uniform availability of infertility treatment from all health authorities. [87848]
Ms Jowell:
We have pledged to tackle unacceptable levels of geographical variations in access to IVF treatment and have set in motion a programme of work to achieve that aim. A Departmental survey of current health authority infertility service provision is taking place at the moment to enable the cost implications of any policy changes to be estimated. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists aim to complete their third, and final, set of evidence-based clinical guidelines on infertility this autumn and these will indicate the circumstances in which infertility treatment can be most clinically effective. We can then move towards fairer access to National Health Service infertility services, where those most able to benefit from such treatment receive it.
Mr. Geraint Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the appointments to the posts of chairman of the eight NHS regions once the terms of office of the incumbent comes to an end. [88062]
Mr. Dobson:
The terms of office of the chairmen of the eight National Health Service regions end on 1 November 1999. Professor Alasdair Breckenridge has already agreed to stand down to concentrate on his role as chairman of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines. Philip Hammersley, chairman of Trent Region has indicated that he does not wish to be considered for re-appointment.
Of the remaining chairmen, I have re-appointed the following for a further three-year term:
The following have been re-appointed for a four-year term:
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 321
The rigorous, open and transparent appointment procedures set down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments are followed for these posts, although they do not fall within the Commissioner's remit. Advertisements will therefore be placed in the national press shortly to recruit new chairmen for the North West and Trent Regions.
Ms Keeble:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the Medicines Control Agency. [88110]
Mr. Denham:
We have published the report of the Quinquennial Review of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA). Copies have been placed in the Library. The Review confirms that the MCA is a world leader in its field, with an international reputation for professional excellence. It has performed well against its targets, and has secured more work under the European licensing system than any other national authority. The Review also shows that the MCA has used Executive Agency status well, and recommends that it should retain that status. We accept that recommendation.
In the light of the Agency's excellent performance, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Keith Jone's appointment as Chief Executive of the MCA has been extended for a further three years.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will bring to an end the Joint Consultative Cabinet Committee. [87631]
Mr. Mullin:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will describe the process by which Lords Lieutenant are chosen; and what are the qualifications required, the responsibilities involved and the length of time for which an appointment is made. [87960]
The Prime Minister:
The prime duty of Lords Lieutenant is to be The Queen's representatives in their county or area. Other than in four Scottish cities (where the Lord Provost is Lord Lieutenant by virtue of his/her office) Lords Lieutenant are appointed under the Royal Prerogative by The Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of the day. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the consultations that precede an appointment are carried out by the relevant territorial Department. In England, consultations are carried out by the Prime Minister's Secretary for Appointments. Those appointed as Lords Lieutenant are people of standing in their local communities, most frequently on account of their record of voluntary activity for the good of the community. Lords Lieutenant may serve until they are 75 years of age.
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 322
Ian Mills: London Region
Janet Trotter: South West Region
Sir William Wells: South East Region.
Zahida Manzoor: Northern and Yorkshire Region
Rosie Varley: Eastern Region
Clive Wilkinson: West Midlands Region.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |