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NHS Messaging
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average cost is of sending externally a 1Mb message from an NHS organisation; [124090]
- (2) if his Department has estimated the cost of sending externally a 1Mb message from an NHS organisation using an alternate SMPT Internet Mail system. [124091]
Ms Stuart: From 1 April 1999 the full cost of messaging is now met directly by the National Health Service Information Authority and financed by money from health authority annual allocations. The current tariff and discount structure is negotiated centrally with the service providers and is based on overall volume of traffic, so that incremental costs per individual message are not calculated. The average cost per message at current use and discount rates is 1.2p.
Chief Executive (Eastbourne)
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1999, Official Report, column 309W, what was the work undertaken at Mid Kent Healthcare NHS Trust in Maidstone by the former Chief Executive of Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trust; what was the total cost of this work; and which part of the NHS funded the work. [124370]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 5 June 2000]: The former chief executive of Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust contributed towards the preparation of an outline business case for the proposed relocation of ophthalmology services at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells National Health Service Trust.
The total cost of the work amounted to six months of the former chief executive's salary. Costs were met by the Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust.
Food Labelling
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of the word pure in connection with food. [124491]
Ms Stuart [holding answer 5 June 2000]: The Food Advisory Committee has issued guidelines on the use of the word "natural" and similar terms such as "real", "genuine" and "pure" in the labelling and advertising of foods. The Committee is currently considering the need for further action and is expected to make recommendations to the Food Standards Agency, which has responsibility for food labelling, later this year.
The Food Safety Act 1990 already makes it an offence to describe any food in a way that is false or likely to mislead as to its nature, substance or quality.
6 Jun 2000 : Column: 235W
Abdominal Scans
Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for abdominal scans is (a) nationally, (b) in Sheffield, (c) in Doncaster, (d) in Barnsley and (e) in Rotherham. [124573]
Mr. Denham: Data on the length of the waiting list and how long people are waiting are not collected at the level of individual diagnostic procedures.
MRSA
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on measures taken to deal with MRSA. [122865]
Yvette Cooper: Control of infection in hospitals, including MRSA, is a subject that the Government take very seriously, and one on which we are determined
6 Jun 2000 : Column: 236W
action will be taken. Tackling it has been set as a "must-do" for the National Health Service. A timetabled programme of action is under way to strengthen infection control arrangements and deliver improvements.
Mobile Phones
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned into the potential health effects of chemical leakage from mobile phone handsets. [122814]
Ms Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
We have not undertaken or commissioned any research in this area. The most likely potential health effects from leakage would be from the battery. All batteries in mobile phones should comply with the appropriate CENELEC or IEC standards.
6 Jun 2000 : Column: 235W