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In-patient Care
27. Mr. Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the local provision of in-patient hospital care in (a) Lichfield and (b) Burntwood. [102288]
Yvette Cooper: The hon. Member will be aware that South Staffordshire Health Authority is currently undertaking a wide-ranging strategic review of services. I understand that the Health Authority is still working-up proposals, and as such it would not be possible for me to comment at this time on the likely impact for hospital services in the Lichfield and Burntwood area.
NHS Abortions
28. Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure equality of access to NHS abortion services. [102289]
Yvette Cooper: It is for local health authorities and Primary Care Groups to determine the appropriate level of abortion provision, in the light of the needs of their local population.
The National Sexual Health Strategy, which is currently being developed, will look at all aspects of sexual health including access to services.
Elderly Care
29. Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS provision for elderly patients. [102290]
Mr. Hutton: In 1997, the then Secretary of State my right hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) commissioned the Health Advisory Service to undertake an independent inquiry into the care of older people on acute wards in general hospitals. The resulting report, "Not Because They Are Old" was sent under cover of a health service circular to health authorities and National Health Service trusts in November 1999.
The circular required Chief Executives of health authorities, in partnership with colleagues in NHS trusts and social services, to ensure that the findings of the report are considered when preparing joint investment plans for older people. These joint investment plans are an integral part of local health improvement programmes (HImPs) which will include both national and local priorities. We are also developing a national service framework for older people which will set out, for the first time, national standards for the health care of older people. The national service framework will be published next year.
We have also taken steps to address a number of areas to improve the care of older people. For example, we have introduced free sight tests for people over 60 and free
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immunisation against influenza for people aged 75 and over. Our plans to expand cataract services from 170,000 a year to 250,000 will benefit thousands of older people.
Mr. Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he is holding with (a) hospitals, (b) nursing homes and (c) residential care homes about the treatment of elderly patients; and if he will make a statement. [103650]
Mr. Hutton:
We are determined that elderly people, wherever they are being cared for, receive high quality services and are treated with dignity and respect. We are working in a number of areas to ensure this happens.
Officials hold discussions with health and local authorities who have been working together and with a range of local stakeholders to produce joint investment plans for older people. Local stakeholders include representatives of patients or clients and their carers and those who provide care for the elderly in hospital or in a residential or nursing home setting. These plans consider service quality and effectiveness and identify key priorities for change.
We will publish our national service framework for older people next year. This will set national standards, service models, and establish performance measures against which progress will be measured.
We are also developing national standards for residential care homes and nursing homes. The consultation document "Fit for the Future? National Required Standards for Residential and Nursing Homes for Older People" sets out proposals aimed at promoting better quality care and helping prevent abuse. "Fit for the Future?" was sent to major provider organisations as well as regulatory and user interests. The consultation period ends on 21 January.
Guidance for developing multi-agency codes of practice for dealing with incidents of abuse to vulnerable adults is being produced with the Home Office, the Wales Office, the police, social services, health and the voluntary sector. "No secrets" was launched for consultation in September. We plan to issue a final version of the guidance to authorities in the new year.
30. Mr. Woodward:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on health service provision in Oxfordshire. [102291]
Mr. Denham:
It is for individual health authorities and local National Health Service trusts to make decisions on local health service provision and priorities based on their specialised knowledge of the local community.
All parties, including Oxfordshire Health Authority, local NHS trusts and primary care groups are working closely to ensure that patients in Oxfordshire receive high quality health care.
31. Mr. Michael J. Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the morale of medical staff working at Worcester royal infirmary. [102292]
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Mr. Denham:
We are aware of the hard work being put in by the front-line staff at Worcester Royal Infirmary, and indeed all hospitals throughout the county, this winter. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those staff and assure them of our continuing and absolute support.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Worcester Royal Infirmary on becoming a Beacon Site for its outpatient work on ophthalmology. I am pleased to report that the medical staff at the Worcester Royal Infirmary National Health Service Trust are able to look forward with confidence as their new hospital will be delivered on time by the Government. The promise made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the people of Worcester is now clearly visible and is part of the largest building programme in the history of the NHS, and a cornerstone of the modernisation of health services in Worcestershire.
32. Mr. Andrew George:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of out-patient waiting times in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; and if he will make a statement. [102293]
Mr. Denham:
Despite a combination of increased referrals and reductions in activity due to the eclipse, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority, working together with the local trusts, is taking action to address outpatient waiting times and will reduce the number of long waiters by the end of the year.
33. Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to enhance cardiology services in east Lancashire. [102294]
Yvette Cooper:
I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my answer in the Library.
34. Sir Sydney Chapman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will report progress on setting up primary care groups. [102295]
Mr. Denham:
481 primary care groups have been successfully established. 83 per cent. have opted to take on a substantial commissioning role and are operating at level 2. PCGs have taken responsibility for £11 billion.
Mr. Paul Marsden:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of the primary care groups that cover Shrewsbury and Atcham in moving toward level 4 status. [103307]
Mr. Denham:
Primary care group progression to primary care trust status at level 3 or 4 is a local decision driven on local views. After a public meeting the Shrewsbury and Atcham PCG Board have concluded that they are not ready to progress to primary care trust status at this time.
35. Ms Blears:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in eradicating health inequality. [102296]
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Yvette Cooper:
I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and a copy of my answer will be placed in the Library of the House.
36. Mr. Gunnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with representatives of British American Tobacco about increasing public access to the records held by it on deposit at Guildford. [102297]
Yvette Cooper:
I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and a copy of my answer will be placed in the Library of the House.
37. Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to investigate possible harmful side-effects of Ritalin. [102298]
Yvette Cooper:
I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and a copy of my answer will be placed in the Library of the House.
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