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Ambulance Staff (Pay)
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish pay scales for ambulance staff; and what plans he has for incremental payments for trained paramedics wishing to remain in clinical service. [142208]
13 Dec 2000 : Column: 194W
Mr. Denham: The current pay scales for ambulance staff employed on national conditions of service are set out in Advance Letter (AMB) 1/2000 for ambulance men and in AL (AC) 2/2000 for ambulance officers.
Negotiations are ongoing with representatives of National Health Service employers and trade unions on a modernised pay system for the National Health Service based on the principles set out in "Agenda for Change" which was published in February 1999.
Copies of these documents are available in the Library.
Rofecoxib (Vioxx)
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraisal of Rofecoxib (Vioxx) will be published. [142268]
Mr. Denham: The timing of appraisals is a matter for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) itself, which is an independent special health authority. However, I understand that NICE is due to complete appraisals of COX II selective inhibitors, including Rofecoxib, in January 2001. Further information on the Institute's work programme can be found on its website at www.nice.org.uk.
Official Publications
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list each new publication issued by his Department since 1997; and what the total cost was to the Department of each publication; [141463]
- (2) what his Department's spending on official publications was for (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, (d) 1999-2000 and (e) 2000-01; and what the planned expenditure is for 2001-02. [141448]
Ms Stuart: The information requested is not collected centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Patients' Forums
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will provide further guidance on the constitution and powers of the proposed patients' forums; and if he will make a statement. [141529]
Ms Stuart [holding answer 11 December 2000]: A series of national stakeholder seminars has been held to develop the details of the policy. This is based on the best practice from voluntary organisations and community health councils.
We will disseminate the results at a national event in the new year.