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Electronic Patient Records
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute hospital trusts in England have set up electronic patient records. [138828]
Ms Stuart: Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) consist of a number of components expressed in terms of levels. Targets in "Information for Health" relate to the implementation of EPR level 3, which encompasses clinical activity support (electronic clinical orders, result reporting, electronic prescribing and multi-professional care pathways).
The position at the end of September 2000 was that 11 acute trusts had EPR level 3 systems in place. This figure is forecast to rise to 21 by the end of the current financial year. The figures represent 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of the acute trusts in England (based on 212 acute trusts). This accords with the targets set out in "Information for Health."
In addition, a further 65 business cases are being progressed and are at various stages of completion. The breakdown is as follows:
- 16 have been approved;
- 12 are being considered;
- 37 are expected to be submitted for approval in the next 6-8 months.
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Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the NHS develops a national electronic health record. [138830]
Ms Stuart: A key objective of "Information for Health" (IfH) is to ensure relevant information contained in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is available to authorised clinicians in carefully prescribed circumstances on a 24-hour basis. In order to address this objective the strategy called for a number of demonstrator sites to be set up to explore the issues associated with the creation of EHRs. The creation of these sites is a key component of supporting the delivery of electronic records throughout the National Health Service. The demonstrator sites will also take on board issues arising from the NHS Plan, e-Government, and the Modernising Government Agenda.
In response to this commitment the Electronic Record Development and Implementation Programme (ERDIP) was launched in November 1999. Following a rigorous selection process I announced the names of the four successful demonstrator sites (Cornwall, Tees, South Staffs and County Durham) in April this year.
In addition, I also announced the names of 14 Electronic Patient Record (EPR) demonstrator sites. The presence of EPRs is a pre-requisite to the implementation of the national EHR. These sites will focus on:
- Specific issues identified in the information strategy for the NHS;
- Supporting the Government's key health priorities, bringing together patient records for those receiving treatment for cancer and coronary heart disease;
- Establishing links between health and social care for mental health, child and elderly care, between walk-in centres and primary care or NHS Direct and other health organisations;
- Specific areas such as maternity services or integrated care pathways.
The work of the EHR demonstrator sites is being supported by two projects managed centrally by the NHSIA:
- Definition of the components of the first generation EHR that will need to be in place by 2005 to support 24-hour emergency care access to patient records.
- The development of an evaluation programme to ensure the sites will deliver solutions that can be applied on a national basis.
Free Eye Tests
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many pensioners have received free eye tests in each local authority area and in each constituency in Tyne and Wear since the introduction of free tests. [139625]
Mr. Hutton: We extended eligibility for National Health Service sight tests to everyone aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. Figures for the numbers of people aged 60 and over who have received free eye tests in particular areas are not collected centrally. However, the increase in the total number of sight tests paid for in the year ending 31 March 2000 by Gateshead and South Tyneside Health Authority was 14,320 and by Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority was 25,170. It is
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fair to assume that the majority of these increases were due to newly eligible people aged 60 or over obtaining NHS sight tests.
Isard House Care Home, Bromley
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the Isard House Care Home, Bromley; and if he will make a statement. [139599]
Mr. Hutton: A number of letters have been received regarding the Isard House Care Home, Bromley. The matters to which these letters referred have been thoroughly investigated by the appropriate local agencies, and steps have been taken to implement the investigation's findings.
Asylum Seekers (Children)
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many unaccompanied children seeking asylum were assessed under (a) section 17 and (b) section 20 of the Children Act 1989 in each of the last three years for which data exist. [139598]
Mr. Hutton: Information on the legal basis for support and care provided to unaccompanied asylum seeking children by local authorities under the Children Act 1989 is not held centrally.
Calman-Hine Proposals
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Calman-Hine proposals for cancer care; and if he will make a statement. [139429]
Yvette Cooper: The Calman/Hine report, "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services", was published in 1995 in response to concerns about variations in treatment across the country.
This is being supplemented by a series of site specific guidance to improve outcomes for the main cancers (breast, colorectal, lung and gynaecological cancers).
As a result of this guidance the National Health Service is introducing site specific specialist multi-disciplinary teams for cancer treatment and is establishing networks of cancer services.
In September this year we published the NHS Cancer Plan spanning prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and research. This plan builds on the Calman/Hine report and sets out the first ever comprehensive strategy to tackle the disease.
The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) is currently reviewing the national progress towards achieving the aims of the Calman/Hine report. CHI will work closely with the Director of National Cancer Services, Professor Richards, the NHS and national bodies representing patients and professionals and plans to publish the findings in summer 2001.
Psittacosis
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the reported cases of psittacosis in (a) London and (b) the rest of England in each of the last 10 years. [139676]
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Yvette Cooper: The number of laboratory reports for psittacosis in England and Wales (and separately for London) to the Public Health Laboratory Service's Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre for each of the last 10 years is provided in the table.
| Year | London | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 81 | 468 |
| 1991 | 51 | 369 |
| 1992 | 40 | 325 |
| 1993 | 29 | 354 |
| 1994 | 41 | 482 |
| 1995 | 32 | 480 |
| 1996 | 21 | 344 |
| 1997 | 20 | 317 |
| 1998 | 29 | 284 |
| 1999 | 3 | 213 |
Weils Disease
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidences of Weils disease there were in (a) London and (b) the rest of England in each of the last 10 years. [139675]
Yvette Cooper: The number of laboratory reports for leptospiral infections caused by Leptospira serovar icterohaemorrhagiae (Weil's Disease) in England and Wales (and separately for London) to the Public Health Laboratory Service's Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre for each of the last 10 years is provided in the table.
| Year | London | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | 19 |
| 1991 | 0 | 8 |
| 1992 | 1 | 13 |
| 1993 | (39)2 | 16 |
| 1994 | (40)3 | 21 |
| 1995 | 0 | 6 |
| 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| 1997 | 0 | 12 |
| 1998 | 1 | 9 |
| 1999 | 0 | 23 |
(39) One case acquired on River Bann in Northern Ireland by service personnel
(40) One case acquired on River Wye by service personnel
Communicable Diseases
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is carrying out into the diseases spread to humans by pigeons in England. [139665]
Yvette Cooper: A research study at the Cambridge Public Health Laboratory is currently working to determine the prevalence of two organisms (Chlamydia psittaci and Campylobacter jejuni) in feral pigeons by routine testing of pigeon faeces. Seasonal variations will be explored and an attempt will be made to link this to the number of human cases occurring in the area.
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