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Hospital Waiting Times
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area were waiting (a) for in-patient treatment in the last three months (b) more than 12 months for in-patient treatment in the last three months and (c) 13 weeks or more for an out-patient appointment in the last two quarters. [134168]
Mr. Denham: Total number of patients waiting and the number of patients waiting over 12 months for hospital treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust in the last three months
| Month | Total number of patients waiting | Number of patients waiting over 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| June 2000 | 10,154 | 924 |
| July 2000 | 9,703 | 876 |
| August 2000 | 9,405 | 795 |
Source:
Monthly returns
| Month | Number of patients waiting over 13 weeks |
|---|---|
| Q4 1999-00 | 2,924 |
| Q1 2000-01 | 3,212 |
Source:
QM08 quarterly return
Telephone Steering Systems
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individual lines are operated as part of the touch tone steering system installed in his Department's public inquiry office. [134055]
Ms Stuart: Five individual agent's lines are operated as part of the Automated Call Distribution (ACD) system, plus one supervisor line.
The ACD system has the ability to queue calls in excess of the six lines available, the maximum number of which is dependent upon the loading on the switch at the time the call is placed.
Eight lines are operated to provide messaging services at pre-determined times (such as to provide the out of hours messages).
Bury Health Care NHS Trust
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the figures for the increases in revenue income to Bury Health Care NHS Trust for (a) 1998-99 and (b) 1999-2000 will be made available. [133596]
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Mr. Denham: The revenue income for Bury Health Care National Health Service Trust for the years 1998-99 and 1999-2000 is as follows:
| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Final accounts (£ million) | 63.4 | -- |
| £ increase on 1997-98 (£ million) | 4.4 | -- |
| Percentage increase on 1997-98 | 7.54 | -- |
| Final accounts (£ million) | -- | 76.9 |
| £ increase on 1998-99 (£ million) | -- | 13.5 |
| Percentage increase on 1998-99 | -- | 21.29 |
Note:
1. The 1999-2000 figure includes impairment income of £7.4 million
2. The source of this information is the published final accounts
Breast Cancer Services (Nottingham)
Mr. Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with Trent Regional Health Authority regarding plans for a new breast cancer unit at Nottingham City Hospital; and when he expects an announcement. [133827]
Yvette Cooper: The Trent Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive continues to work with the Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust to take forward its proposal for a new breast care centre. The outline business case was approved by the regional office on 15 May 2000. It is expected that the full business case will be submitted in March 2001.
The development of the breast cancer unit is considered to be a high priority by both the regional office and the Nottingham health community.
Tobacco Control
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on UK tobacco manufacturers of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. [133831]
Yvette Cooper: It is too early to say what the likely impact of the Convention on employment and exports will be, as this depends on the content of the Convention, which is yet to be negotiated. Provisional texts of draft elements for the Convention have been drawn up and are being considered at the First Session of the Inter Governmental Negotiating Body in Geneva between 16-21 October. Negotiations are unlikely to be concluded before 2002.
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will conduct an economic impact assessment of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement. [133835]
Yvette Cooper: It is too early to do this at present but we will do so when we have a clearer idea of what commitments the UK may wish to enter into.
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the World Health Organisation about the private sector funding of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and if he will list those companies which have contributed. [133832]
Yvette Cooper: We have had no such discussions.
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Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Her Majesty's Government's objectives are in discussions on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement. [133884]
Yvette Cooper: We support the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and believe that it can help to reduce the damage to health caused by tobacco products worldwide. The WHO estimates that tobacco kills four million people each year and that this figure is likely to increase substantially, particularly in the developing world.
The United Kingdom intends to play an active part in negotiating a convention which in particular will:
- make a difference by imposing obligations on its signatories, but which is not so ambitious that few countries sign up;
- tackles areas where international action is necessary and which can impact on consumption in the UK--in particular advertising and smuggling;
- supports other countries in developing tobacco control strategies;
- does not impose over-prescriptive obligations in areas which we consider to be for national decisions.
Yvette Cooper: Ministers have consulted colleagues from other countries. Officials have participated in all WHO and European Union preparatory meetings on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control on jobs in each constituency. [133826]
Yvette Cooper: It is too early to say what the likely impact of the Convention on employment and exports will be, as this depends on the content of the Convention, which is yet to be negotiated.
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with UK tobacco companies about the economic impact on companies and the communities in which they are located of the possible adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. [133833]
Yvette Cooper: We have had no such discussions.
Larval Therapy
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) maggot-treated and (b) conventionally treated ulcers were evaluated by specialists at the West Cumberland Hospital in the study of use of maggots in larval therapy; and if he will make a statement. [134131]
Mr. Denham: The West Cumbria Health Care National Health Service Trust study into larval therapy evaluated six patients who received maggot treatment for their ulcers and six patients who received conventional ulcer treatment.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent guidelines have been set by health authorities in testing larval therapy; what
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preventive measures are included in studies to ensure the safety of human volunteers; and if he will make a statement; [134129]
- (2) what is the cost of his study on larval therapy; and if he will make a statement on potential NHS budget gains associated with such therapy. [134130]
Mr. Denham: Protocols for clinical research on the effectiveness of larval therapy in the National Health Service have to have the approval of Research Ethics Committees and the relevant NHS authority before they can proceed.
Larval therapy is part of the wound care appraisal currently being undertaken by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. The appraisal will determine the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of debriding agents in treating difficult to heal surgical wounds. It will also evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of treating patients with difficult to heal surgical wounds by means of specialist wound care (eg at specialised wound care clinics) as compared to conventional care. NICE will review the available research evidence but will not itself commission further clinical research. NICE are expected to report on this appraisal in spring 2001.
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