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Royal Victoria Hospital, Newcastle
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the outline business case for the replacement of heating system boilers using PFI at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle was received; when it was approved; and when work will start. [140633]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 27 November 2000]: The Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Trust submitted an outline business case in October 1999, and the Northern and Yorkshire Regional Office agreed that the trust could proceed to the Official Journal of the European Community advert in November 1999.
In line with normal capital investment procedure, a full business case is now awaited from the trust, and this is expected in the near future. Once that full business case has been evaluated and approved by Northern and Yorkshire Regional Office, the trust will then be permitted to proceed to contract signature, and works can commence thereafter.
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Hospital Waiting Times
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 55W, concerning waiting times, what (a) estimate has been made of and (b) target set for the number of people waiting over 13 weeks by 2002. [140093]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 26 November 2000]: The National Health Service has been set two interim targets for outpatient waiting times for the year 2001-02. First, to reduce the number of patients waiting over 13 weeks. Secondly, to implement a maximum waiting time of 26 weeks for a first consultant appointment.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were awaiting hospital (a) first consultation and (b) treatment within the NHS on the most recent date for which figures are available; what the average waiting time is for both (a) and (b); and what are the upper and lower percentiles against which these averages are quoted. [140352]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 27 November 2000]: Information on the total number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment is not collected centrally, however the average (median) time waited for a first outpatient appointment during the quarter ended 30 September 2000 was 7.45 weeks.
The lower and upper quartiles are as follows: lower 2.95 weeks; upper 12.78 weeks.
The total number of people waiting for elective admission to a National Health Service trust at 30 September 2000 was 1,031,824. The average (median) time waited by those on the list was 2.96 months.
The lower and upper quartiles are as follows: lower 1.48 months; upper 6.02 months.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list for each NHS region the number of in-patient beds that cater for the needs of people with CFS/ME; how much is spent in each region on such inpatient services; and how many NHS staff, broken down by category, work in such services; [140544]
- (2) if he will list for each NHS region the number of out-patient clinics that cater for the needs of people with CFS/ME; how much is spent by each region on such services; and how many NHS staff, broken down by category, work in such services. [140545]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 28 November 2000]: The information required is not available in the format requested.
The National Health Service provides a considerable number of services to which people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) access. These patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialties including general medicine, neurology and immunology. The CFS/ME working group is developing guidance to improve the quality of care for CFS/ME patients.
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Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of education and training of (a) medical, (b) nursing and (c) allied professions in the (i) diagnosis, (ii) treatment and (iii) management of CFS/ME. [140546]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 28 November 2000]: Responsibility for the adequacy of education and training of medical, nursing and allied professions is primarily a matter for the statutory and professional bodies. The National Health Service Plan sets out proposals for ensuring that patient interests and the service needs of the NHS are fully aligned with the development of curriculum and approval of training programmes.
The chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) working group is developing guidance to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with CFS/ME.
Hospital Food
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the additional funding allocated to the Health Service within the Comprehensive Spending Review will be spent on improving food standards in hospitals in (a) England and (b) Devon; and if he will make a statement. [140489]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 28 November 2000]: In addition to the increased overall funding announced as part of the health authority revenue allocations, we announced in the National Health Service Plan that £30 million would be allocated during the next three years, commencing 2001-02, specifically targeted at improving the quality of hospital food. £8 million will be allocated in the current financial year. This funding will be issued direct to trusts and will assist them in implementing the following elements of the better hospital food initiative.
The introduction of a 24-hour NHS catering service with a new NHS menu, designed by leading chefs. It will cover continental breakfast, cold drinks and snacks at mid-morning and in the afternoon, light lunchtime meals and an improved two-course evening dinner. This will be a minimum standard for all hospitals.
The introduction of "ward housekeepers" to ensure that the quality, presentation and quantity of meals meets patient needs; that patients, particularly elderly people, are able to eat meals on offer; and that the service patients receive is genuinely available round-the clock.
The allocation of funding for the better hospital food initiative in the following three years will be informed by understanding the benefits that have taken place in NHS trusts as a result of the first round of funding allocation.
NHS Estates
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will report the findings of the Quinquennial Review of the NHS Estates and Health Building Agency. [141099]
Mr. Denham: We are publishing today the report of the National Health Service Estates Quinquennial Review and copies have been placed in the Library. The Review concludes that the Agency has performed well in advising Ministers and the National Health Service Executive on policy and strategy for the NHS Estate and on the
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performance of NHS trusts in managing their estate. It finds that Executive Agency status has been beneficial and recommends that NHS Estates should remain as an Agency.
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the Strategic Direction 2000-01 to 2004-05, key tasks and targets for 2000-01 and Annual Plan 2000-01 for the NHS Estates Agency. [141100]
Mr. Denham: We have agreed the Agency's Strategic Direction 2000-01 to 2004-05, Key Tasks and Targets for 2000-01 and Annual Plan 2000-01 and have placed copies in the Library.
Phenylpropanolamine
Mr. Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of potential adverse health effects of phenylpropanolamine in proprietary medicines. [140803]
Ms Stuart: Ministers asked the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM), the expert advisory body to the licensing authority to consider the possible increased risk of haemorrhagic stroke associated with medicines containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) at its meeting on 8 November 2000. This immediately followed action by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America, which had asked for withdrawal of medicines containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA), on the basis of the Yale Haemorrhagic Stroke Project.
The Committee on Review of Medicines (CRM) in 1984, and the CSM in 1995, had previously considered the issue and as a result the maximum doses were reduced, and warnings and contraindications were strengthened. Following a preliminary review, the CSM concluded that the evidence of a link between haemorrhagic stroke and PPA is weak and mainly associated with uses that are not licensed in the United Kingdom. The CSM recognised that PPA products are used differently in the UK: appetite suppressants containing PPA, which have been linked to stroke in young women in the USA, are not available in the UK. Over the counter cold and flu remedies on the market in the UK have a lower maximum daily dose (100 mg) than similar products in the USA (150 mg).
PPA-containing products should not be used by certain groups of patients, such as those with high blood pressure or heart disease. These warnings and contraindications are clearly stated on the packaging and patient information leaflets.
The Department sent out a letter on 9 November from the chairman of the CSM to all general practitioners and pharmacists making them aware of the current situation, and reminding them of particular contraindications and warnings associated with PPA-containing products.
A further detailed evaluation has been carried out to investigate fully the implications for use of PPA in the UK. This was considered by the CSM at its meeting on 23 November. The CSM confirmed the view taken previously and agreed that the advice given then should stand. They advised that there was no need for further urgent communication with health professionals. Minor
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amendments to product information to reinforce the existing warnings could be carried out on a non-urgent basis.
The MCA continually monitor the safety of PPA- containing products, as for all medicines.
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