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Commission for Health Improvement
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding loss of clinical freedom by clinicians consequent upon the establishment of the Commission for Health Improvement; and if he will make a statement. [93921]
Mr. Denham: The aim of the Commission for Health Improvement was clearly set out in the consultation document "A First Class Service" (July 1999). This was to work with clinicians to assure, monitor and improve the quality of care provided by the NHS. Clinicians will remain responsible for their clinical judgment in relation to individual patients, although they will be expected to take account of national clinical guidance and of the evidence on which it is based.
Most responses to "A First Class Service" were supportive of the proposals for the Commission for Health Improvement and the Government's quality strategy as a whole.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made regarding the additional manpower required for the Commission for Health Improvement. [93920]
Mr. Denham:
The Commission will be an independent body and it will therefore be for the Commission itself to decide its manpower requirements. In doing so, it will need to be aware of its duty to carry out its functions effectively, efficiently and economically.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the powers of the Commission for Health Improvement to criticise individual doctors. [93922]
Mr. Denham:
It is not the aim of the Commission for Health Improvement to assess or publicise the performance of individual clinicians. The Commission will look at organisational systems to assure and improve the quality of services.
The Commission's powers to disclose confidential information about individuals is strictly limited in the Health Act 1999. In line with these restrictions, if the Commission does find evidence of individual poor performance it will draw this to the attention of the employing organisation for them to take action. It may also, if appropriate, draw this to the attention of the professional regulatory body concerned.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the annual running costs of (a) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and (b) the Commission for Health Improvement. [93919]
Mr. Denham:
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence's total budget is £9.8 million. NICE will determine its own running costs. However, we expect them to maintain their running costs at a reasonable level to ensure that as much funding as possible is made available for its work programme.
The Explanatory Notes for the Health Act 1999 cited the estimated annual running costs for the Commission for Health Improvement for 2000-01 at around £7 million.
20 Oct 1999 : Column: 607
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the findings of his staff shortages survey will be published. [93876]
Mr. Denham:
The results of the recruitment, retention and vacancies survey were published on 10 September and have been placed in the Library.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the change in the number of category D entries appearing in the Drug Tariff published by The Stationery Office each month since February. [93878]
Mr. Hutton:
Drugs are added to Category D of Part VIII of the Drug Tariff when community pharmacies are having difficulty obtaining supplies of generic drugs at Drug Tariff price. The closure of a significant manufacturer of generics last December, combined with the relocation of some manufacturing facilities at the beginning of the year, and the transfer of products from bulk to smaller packs has meant that a wider range of products than normal have been in short supply, and hence an unusually large number of products have been included in Category D.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates Special Advisers from his Department have visited the United States of America on official business since 1 May 1997; which of his Special Advisers took part in each visit; and if he will list the meetings which these Special Advisers held with members and officials of the United States Government during each visit, specifying the date and location of each meeting and the names of the US members and officials at each meeting. [93945]
20 Oct 1999 : Column: 608
Ms Stuart:
Between 1 May 1997 and 18 October 1999, the Special Advisers to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health have visited the United States of America on two occasions in an official capacity as listed.
All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the findings of the inquiry into the level of provision of beds in NHS hospitals; and if he will make statement. [94794]
Mr. Denham:
The National Beds Inquiry is nearing completion. Its findings will be published in due course.
Sir Peter Tapsell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 20 October. [94071]
The Prime Minister:
This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall have further such meetings later today.
20 Oct 1999 : Column: 607
Date: 4-7 February 1998
Destination: Washington DC
Special adviser: Simon Stevens.
Accompanying my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to meeting with President Clinton.
Date: 21-23 October 1998
Destination: Washington DC
Special adviser: Simon Stevens.
Accompanying my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State at the International Health Policy meeting and meeting with the Secretary for Health and Human Services.